Greyhound and Lab Mix: Everything You Need to Know

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This breed is often referred to as a Labrabull, which is a combination of the Labrador Retriever and the Greyhound.

They typically weigh between 60-80 pounds and stand between 22-26 inches tall.

With their athletic build and short coats, they require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.

A Greyhound and Lab Mix can live for 10-12 years on average.

Their intelligence and trainability make them a great choice for active families.

Health and Care

Greyhounds and Labradors are both generally healthy breeds, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues.

Some common health problems that Greyadors may face include bloat, neuropathy, obesity, hip and elbow dysplasia, and progressive renal atrophy.

Chopped carrots or celery make great healthy treats for your dog, and keeping their weight in check is one of the best things you can do for them.

Your mixed breed dog's health is not necessarily better than a purebred dog's if the parents have known health problems. Knowing the health history of your dog's parents is key to keeping them healthy.

Credit: youtube.com, NEW! A5541159 Stella | Labrador Retriever/Greyhound Mix

Reputable breeders will share written certifications and genetic test results with you, so be sure to ask for this information.

Proactive monitoring and timely veterinary intervention are crucial for maintaining your pet's health and longevity.

Here are some potential health issues to be aware of in your Greyador:

  • Bloat
  • Neuropathy
  • Obesity
  • Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
  • Progressive Renal Atrophy

Coat Color and Grooming

Greyador coats are a mix of their Labrador and Greyhound parents' coats and colors, often featuring a range of hues including black, brown, white, tan, fawn, red, silver, blue, and brindle.

Their coats can be solid or a blend of their parents' coats and colors, and they usually have medium-length, dense coats.

Greyadors shed a lot, so if you're an allergy sufferer, they might not be the best choice.

They shed more than average, so be prepared for regular grooming.

Daily brushing is a must to prevent matting and tangling.

Bathe them as needed with a mild shampoo.

Because of their short coats, Greyadors aren't suited for extreme weather.

In areas with four seasons, you'll need to provide a coat for your dog in the winter and protect them from prolonged exposure to heat.

Temperament and Behavior

Credit: youtube.com, Labrador Italian Greyhound Mix AKA Lab Greyhound

The Greyhound Lab Mix Temperament is a unique blend of traits from both parent breeds. Greyhounds tend to be quiet, sensitive, and gentle, while Labs are active, friendly, and eager to please.

Every dog is an individual, and training and socialization play a larger role than breeding in shaping their personality. This means that even within the same litter, you can expect to see a range of personalities emerging.

Greyadors are intelligent and responsive dogs that thrive in environments where they feel part of a community. They're prone to weight gain, so regular exercise and a balanced diet are essential to maintaining their physical and mental health.

Temperament

Greyhound Lab Mixes are intelligent and responsive dogs, often thriving in an environment where they feel part of a community. They can become destructive or restless if left alone for extended periods without proper exercise and mental stimulation.

Every dog is an individual, and training and socialization play a larger role than breeding in giving you the kind of dog you want. This means that even with a Greyhound Lab Mix, consistency and patience are key to developing good behavior.

A Man Surrounded by His Pet Dogs with Different Breed
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Greyhounds tend to be somewhat quiet, sensitive, and gentle, while Labs are known for being active and friendly. This mix can result in a dog that's both affectionate and independent.

Socialization is crucial for Greyador puppies, especially around small animals and very young children. Introduce your puppy to as many new things as possible, including people, places, and other animals, from the time you bring them home until they're 16 weeks old.

Regular activity is essential to maintain their physical health and stimulate their mental well-being. This can help prevent weight gain, a common issue in Greyadors.

Natural Instincts

Greyhounds and Greyhound mixes have a strong prey drive, bred to hunt small game using sight and speed. This means they should be tested for prey drive before being introduced into homes with small animals like cats.

Their instinct to chase prey can be a challenge, especially if you have other pets in the household. You'll want to be aware of this trait and take steps to manage it.

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One potential combination of traits in a Greyhound Lab mix is a friendly and non-aggressive dog, thanks to the Lab's enthusiasm tempered by the Greyhound's calm. However, it's essential to remember that this mix can also have one or the other extreme.

Their Greyhound blood may make them more sensitive around boisterous young children than their easy-going Lab ancestors. Supervision is key when introducing your dog to kids.

Children and Pets

The Greyador is a fantastic breed for families with kids, as they're incredibly patient and gentle with children of all ages. They'll often walk away if they feel annoyed, which is a great sign of their even temperament.

It's essential to teach your child how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling.

Teach your child never to approach a dog while they're sleeping or eating, or to try to take the dog's food away. This will help prevent any conflicts or stress for both the child and the dog.

Credit: youtube.com, Greyhound Labrador Mix At Risk Of Being Put Down | Cesar 911 Season 4, Ep. 2 - Part 1

If a kid mistreats their own dog, it's likely they'll mistreat a dog who's not as tolerant of them. So, it's crucial to teach children how to be gentle with all animals.

The Greyador can get along well with other dogs, but it's essential to be careful with cats and small animals, as they may view them as playthings.

Care and Nutrition

As a Greyhound Lab mix owner, you'll want to prioritize their care and nutrition to ensure they live a happy and healthy life. Regular veterinary checkups are crucial to detect any health concerns early.

You'll also need to keep an eye on their exercise routine, as they're prone to weight gain if they don't get enough physical activity. A 60-minute, brisk-paced walk or hike every day is a good starting point.

Maintaining their oral health is also essential, as they're highly prone to tartar buildup. Brushing their teeth a minimum of three times a week, or every day if possible, will help prevent this issue.

How to Care for a Greyador?

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Greyadors are relatively easy dogs to look after because they're eager to please and aren't prone to any particular behavioral issues. However, they do need plenty of attention, exercise, and training to live healthy and happy lives.

You should keep up with your Greyador's regular veterinary checkups to detect any health concerns early. Your vet can help you develop a care routine so that your pup can live the healthiest life possible.

They need a 60-minute, brisk paced walk or hike every day to stay active and prevent boredom and depression. If they don't get enough exercise, they could get destructive.

Their diet should be nutritious and you should stick to a feeding schedule, which your vet can help you create. Look for a high-quality dog food that meets your Greyador's nutritional needs.

Daily ear checks are a must to prevent debris and pests from building up. Clean their ears as recommended by your vet to keep them healthy.

Brushing their teeth is crucial to prevent tartar buildup, and you should do it at least three times a week. Your veterinarian can instruct you on how to brush your dog's teeth properly.

What Should a Greyador Eat?

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When it comes to feeding your Greyador, their high protein needs should be the top priority. Most Greyadors require a diet rich in protein to stay healthy.

Greyadors generally need to eat between 2.5 to 4 cups of dog food per day. This amount may vary depending on their individual needs.

To prevent bloat, especially if your Greyador has inherited the Greyhound's deep chest, consider investing in a slow feeder bowl.

Breeders and Ownership

If you're considering getting a Greyador from a breeder, be cautious of online ads and large-scale breeding operations, often referred to as puppy mills, as they can be detrimental to the health of your puppy.

A reputable breeder is essential to ensure your puppy's health, especially since both Greyhounds and Labs are prone to genetic health conditions. They should be willing to share health information with you.

Choose a local breeder who welcomes you to their home, so you can see where your puppy is raised, and meet the parents and littermates of your puppy.

Breeders

Woman Hand Petting Greyhound Dog Laying Curled up on Sofa
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Working with a reputable breeder is crucial to ensure the health of your Greyador puppy. A reputable breeder will share health information with you, which is especially important since both Greyhounds and Labs are known to have significant genetic health conditions.

Avoid large-scale, for-profit breeding operations, often referred to as puppy mills, as they can be detrimental to your puppy's health. Meeting your puppy's parents and observing all your puppy's littermates is a good idea.

Choose a local breeder who welcomes potential buyers to their home, so you can see the environment where your puppy is raised. Be cautious of online ads for Greyadors or any designer mixed breed dog.

An unusually inexpensive puppy bought sight unseen may cost you more in long-term veterinary expenses than a pricier dog from a known breeder.

Shelter Dogs

You can adopt a Greyador from a shelter or rescue organization, but you'll need to work with organizations that specialize in purebred retired racing Greyhounds or Lab rescue groups.

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Many Lab rescue groups exist across the country, so it's a good idea to talk to local groups and let them know you're interested in a Lab Greyhound mix.

You can also search for a Greyhound Lab mix at an animal shelter, as most shelter pet search websites allow you to search available dogs by breed.

Shelters do their best to identify mixed breed dogs, but you can confirm a dog's ancestry through genetic testing.

Life Expectancy and Longevity

Greyador life expectancy varies depending on their lifestyle and inherited health issues.

The average lifespan of a Greyador can range between 10.8 years, which is the average lifespan of a Greyhound, and 12.5 years, which is the average lifespan of a Labrador Retriever.

It's essential to understand that these are only averages, and individual Greyadors can live much longer than this.

Inherited health concerns from their Labrador and Greyhound lineage can impact their overall health, making regular veterinary care crucial.

Here's an interesting read: Redbone Coonhound Golden Retriever Mix

Credit: youtube.com, Comparison: Lifespan of Dog Breeds | How Long Will Your Dog Live?

To get an idea of a Greyador's potential lifespan, look at the average lifespan of their parent breeds, which can be around 10.8 years for Greyhounds and 12.5 years for Labradors.

Seeking written certifications from reputable breeders or inquiring about any known health history when adopting a rescue dog is prudent.

Regular veterinary care, including an eye test, can help detect and manage health issues early on, which is vital for a Greyador's longevity.

Size and Appearance

The Greyhound and Lab mix, also known as a Greyador, is a medium to large breed dog. They typically weigh between 50 to 80 pounds.

Their height can range from 20 to 27 inches at the shoulder, with no significant size difference between males and females. This makes them a great companion for families or individuals with a moderate living space.

Greyadors can come in a range of colors, including black, yellow, white, brown, fawn, blue, and red. They may inherit the Labrador's thick otter-like tail and webbed paws or the Greyhound's slender muzzle and streamlined stature.

Their athletic build is a result of their Greyhound and Labrador parents, making them a great combination of strength and agility.

Here's an interesting read: Dog That Looks like a Lab but Smaller

Mix Appearance

Greyhound dog stands by a tree in a vibrant autumn forest setting.
Credit: pexels.com, Greyhound dog stands by a tree in a vibrant autumn forest setting.

The appearance of a Greyador can be quite varied, depending on the characteristics of its parent breeds. Some Greyadors may look more like Labradors, while others may resemble Greyhounds.

Both parent breeds share some physical traits, such as alert expressions, athletic builds, and short coats. You can expect a Greyador to have these traits.

A Greyador may inherit the Labrador's thick otter-like tail and webbed paws, or the Greyhound's slender muzzle and streamlined stature. The range of colors for Greyadors includes black, yellow, white, brown, fawn, blue, and red.

The Greyhound's aerodynamic body was built for speed, with a long, slim head, deep chest, and narrow waist. This is in contrast to the Labrador's stockier appearance, with broad features including their heads and tails.

Size

The Greyador is a medium to large-sized dog, weighing in at 50 to 80 pounds and ranging in height from 20 to 27 inches at the shoulder.

As a mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Greyhound, the Greyador's size can vary, but they tend to be closer to the larger end of the spectrum.

Different Breeds Of Dogs Sitting On Grass
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On average, a Greyador can reach a height of 27 inches and weigh around 29-36kg.

The Labrador, which is one of the parent breeds, is classified as a medium-sized dog, but can appear larger due to its sturdy and fluffy build.

The Greyhound, the other parent breed, is a large dog that can reach heights of up to 30 inches tall for males and 25 inches for females.

Males and females of the Greyador breed tend to have a similar size, with virtually no size difference between the two.

Aggression and Training

Greyhounds and Lab mixes are known for being friendly, but that doesn't mean they can't become aggressive if their needs aren't met.

Both parent breeds have a high temperament passing rate, with greyhounds at around 80% and Labradors at 92%. This is a testament to their gentle nature.

To ensure your Greyador grows into a well-adjusted adult, socialization from an early age is crucial.

Socialization involves exposing your dog to various environments, people, and situations to help them develop good behavior.

The American Temperament Testing Society's pass rates for these breeds are a good indicator of their temperament.

Broaden your view: Lab Shar Pei Mix Temperament

Robin Morissette

Writer

Robin Morissette is a versatile and engaging writer with a passion for crafting compelling content. With a keen eye for detail and a love for storytelling, Robin brings a unique perspective to their writing. Their portfolio showcases a range of topics, from in-depth explorations of the Havanese breed, to informative articles on canine origins.

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