If you’re thinking about getting this beautiful mixed breed or have already got one, this guide will help you. You’ll have a better idea of what this mixed breed dog is and how to take better care of it every day. I’m sure you’ll be able to raise a healthy and happy German Shepherd-Lab mix dog.
German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are two of the most popular dog breeds in the world. The Lab German Shepherd is a cross between the two. These dogs are known for being smart, active, and hardworking. Putting the two genes together is like a miracle.
The Labrador Retriever x German Shepherd is a loyal, patient, loving, and smart dog. Based on the traits and personalities of both parents, your Lab-German Shepherd mix could work as a police dog or a service dog.
The German Shepherd breed comes from Germany and was created to watch over cattle. This breed has become one of the most popular police dog breeds in the world because of how smart, patient, and loyal it is.
The Labrador Retriever, on the other hand, comes from Newfoundland, Canada, and was used to hunt ducks and geese. The Lab breed has been used as a service dog and a guide dog because it is quite smart and skilled.
Because of how well these two breeds work together, your Lab German Shepherd puppy could become a police dog, a service dog, or a dog that herds sheep. But no matter what, he will always be a very loyal family dog who loves you.
Other German Shepherd & Lab Mixes
The most important thing you can do is pick a dog breed that fits with your lifestyle. Tens of thousands of dogs are euthanized or given up for adoption every year because their owners were careless and didn’t do enough research before getting a dog that wouldn’t work with their lifestyle.
Not sure if the Labrador Retriever will fit in with your way of life? You might want to adopt one of these 50+ popular German Shepherd or Labrador retriever mixes.
| Lab German Shepherd Mix | Australian Shepherd German Shepherd Mix |
| Pitbull German Shepherd Mix | Beagle German Shepherd Mix |
| Poodle German Shepherd Mix | Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix |
| Rottweiler German Shepherd Mix | Doberman German Shepherd Mix |
| German Shepherd Great Dane Mix | Border Collie German Shepherd Mix |
| German Shepherd Great Pyrenees Mix | Boxer German Shepherd Mix |
| German Shepherd Malamute Mix | Chow German Shepherd Mix |
Personality, Appearance, and Traits of a Lab German Shepherd Mix
| Weight | Up to 88 pounds |
| Height | 24 to 26 inches tall |
| Size | Medium to large-sized 0 |
| Coat Type | Double coat |
| Coat Color | Solid color or mixed color |
| Amount of Shedding | High |
| Eyes | Round and dark |
| Nose | Large |
| Ears | Alert or drooping |
| Temperament | Friendly, loyal, alert, playful |
| Life Expectancy | 15 years |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Kids Friendly | Yes |
| New Owners Friendly | Yes |
| Breed Recognition | Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA)International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) |
How big a German Shepherd and a Labrador Retriever are will help you guess how big your dog will be when it’s fully grown. Since both of those dogs are medium to large, it’s likely that your Labrador retriever mixed with a German Shepherd will also be medium to large when it grows up.
Based on the weight of both parents, it is likely that your Lab-German Shepherd mix will be about 88 pounds when it grows up. When it comes to its adult size, this dog can be anywhere from 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder.
Based on all of this information, it seems likely that a Lab German Shepherd will be a pretty big dog when it grows up.
What a Lab-German Shepherd mix looks like may depend on which parent breed is more dominant. This dog might have a coat with a mix of colors, or it might just have one color. Like its German Shepherd parent, it might have black spots on its face, back, and legs that make it stand out.
Your dog might have a short to medium coat like its Lab parent. If the German Shepherd gene is strong, it may also have a short coat. There will be a soft undercoat and a rough top coat on your dog. This double layer will protect the dog from extreme temperatures.
The Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd mix is recognized by the following dog groups and breed registries:
- DRA stands for Dog Registry of America, Inc.
- The International Designer Canine Registry
German Shepherd Mixed with Labrador Puppies for Sale
Most likely, you’ll be going to dog breeders to find a Lab-German Shepherd mix puppy. Find at least three breeders and put them in order of how well-known they are. If someone says good things about the breeder, pay attention to those things. The Pet Professional Guild can help you find a breeder in your area that you can trust.
Talk to the breeder as much as possible about how healthy both of the parents of the dog you want to buy are. It’s also important that both parent dogs have clean health records. The breeder should be able to prove that the parents of the German Shepherd Lab mix dog or pup were crossed.
The sites below have ads for German Shepherd dogs that are mixed with Labrador puppies or dogs.
- Online service PuppyFind.com
- Check out NextDayPets.com (International)
- Adopt-a-Pet.com (USA)
- Petfinder.com (works in the US and Canada)
- The United States has Green Field Puppies.
It might seem easiest to buy a German Shepherd-Lab mix puppy, but it is still better to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue group in your area. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says that getting a puppy or dog from a shelter is better than buying one online.
Grooming Your German Shepherd Crossed with Labrador
Because its coat is so thick, a German Shepherd Lab mix needs to be groomed once a week. If it has a moderately long or shaggy coat like its German Shepherd, it should be groomed up to several times a week to get rid of knots, make the coat shine, and improve its health.
If your Labrador is crossed with a German Shepherd, it will shed a lot, especially when it’s warmer outside or when it’s shedding season.
To groom your dog, use a long-lasting brush with a good handle and tough natural bristles. To get rid of hair on the floor and furniture, you should also use a good vacuum cleaner.
People should take baths when they need to. If you bathe your dog too much, the water can dry out his coat, making it itch and irritate. If your dog comes home from swimming, you might want to give him a bath to get rid of chlorine or dirt. Here are some good shampoo brands to think about:
- Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo
It is one of the most trusted brands of shampoo for pets. It is all natural, so it doesn’t have any ingredients that are bad for your dog’s coat. It also comes in a lot of different scents, such as vanilla, almond, green tea, and mango.
When you use Earthbath All-Natural Pet Shampoo on your dog’s skin, it is very gentle. It’s gentle on the coat and full of minerals and vitamins that are good for it.
- Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo
The 4-Legger shampoo is hypoallergenic, which means it is safe for dogs with sensitive skin. It has a natural, safe formula that will clean and calm your skin. Olive oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil are some of the natural ingredients in this shampoo. This shampoo comes in a scent that is similar to and keeps fleas and ticks away.
- Oxgard Organic Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner for Dogs
This shampoo from Oxgard is for dogs whose skin is itchy. You can use it every day without worrying about getting sick. As long as it doesn’t make tears or soap, it’s safe to use on puppies too.
Clean your dog’s paws and nails. Make sure to check these often to make sure they are clean and free of any damage, scratches, or marks. You can also pay someone to groom your dog if you want to.
German Shepherd Lab Mix Health Problems
Many of the health problems that affect Labrador Retrievers are also found in their parent breeds. However, a dog is more likely to get some health problems if it isn’t getting enough exercise and hasn’t been to the vet since you got it.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Bloat
- Diabetes
- Cataracts
- Degenerative Disc Diseases
- PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy or blindness
- Ear infections
As soon as your puppy gets home, it’s important to take it to the vet. You can’t tell ahead of time if any of these health problems will happen to your puppy. To keep your dog from getting some of these serious illnesses, all you can do is give them good care.
How Much Food Does a Labrador Retriever Mix Need?
Give your Lab-German Shepherd puppy high-quality food that is right for its weight. As your dog grows, it’s important to keep its weight at a healthy level. Extra weight can put extra stress on its spine. The best food for your dog will also depend on what nutrients it needs.
When you train your dog, never give it treats as a reward. This makes dogs fatter and will only make their problems worse. These are the best dog food brands that your German Shepherd Lab will love.
Holistic Select Puppy Health Food for Large and Giant Breed Dogs
The food for big dogs like Labradors and German Shepherds. Ground brown rice, lamb meal, white rice, and chicken are what it’s mostly made of. It’s all natural and doesn’t have any additives. This dog food is sure to please even the pickiest puppy.
Precise Holistic Complete Adult Formula for Large Breeds
People think that Precise Holistic is the best organic dog food for big dogs because it has chicken, brown rice, chicken fat, and oatmeal in it. This has more of the calcium and phosphorus that dogs need to grow to their full size.
Purina Beyond Grain-Free Dog Food in a Can
Real beef, salmon, and chicken are used to make Purina Beyond. Large breed dogs, like your Lab-German Shepherd mix, will love this amount of tasty dog food. It has vitamins and minerals along with all-natural ingredients to keep your dog healthy.
If you want to keep your German Shepherd Lab healthy, don’t feed it the foods below. Dogs shouldn’t eat everything that people eat.
- Liquor
- Chicken bones or chicken bones that have been cooked
- Raisins or grapes
- Junk food and foods that are high in salt
- Tea, coffee, or chocolate?
- Having garlic, onions, and chives
You should give your dog the best care possible if you want them to get strong and healthy. So start with what they eat! So, don’t give your dog the worst dry dog food. Instead, give them the best dry dog food. Wellness Core Dog Food, Dog For Dog Food, and Nutra Thrive dog food supplements all have a lot of tasty and healthy recipes.
Because your hairy friend has different parents, you can try the best dry dog food for small dogs or the best dry dog food for large breeds. Before you completely change your dog’s diet, you should take them to the vet.
Our canine friends need food that is high in proteins and easy for their bodies to break down. The best dog food brands can give you some ideas. As grandpa dogs, senior dogs need food with moderate amounts of protein, like the best senior dry dog food.
German Shepherd Lab Exercise Requirements
A Labrador Retriever and a German Shepherd mixed together is a very active mixed breed. Whenever you play with this dog, you have to keep moving! Because of this, you need to give this dog plenty of time every day to exercise and walk. If you don’t, it could start acting badly.
There’s no set amount of time to play or walk this dog. Just remember that a tired dog is a good dog.
You can build a strong bond with your dog by playing with it often. People who walk dogs for a living should be asked to help you if you can’t take your dog for a walk.
Because it comes from a Labrador Retriever family, this dog will love to swim. A dog pool or pond in your area would be great for your dog. If you have a big yard, you can put him in an old, big vat to play and cool off.
Dogs all over the world love to fetch and play Frisbee. You can play pulling games with other toys, like big ropes. For fetch, use a big ball like a tennis ball or an old football. Just make sure that your dog’s toys don’t come apart so that he or she doesn’t eat any small pieces.
Here are some ideas:
1. KONG Classic Dog Toy – Gives Out Treats
This toy is fun for dogs and gives them treats at the same time. This comes in six sizes, so you can be sure to find the right one for your medium to large Lab German Shepherd mix. Your dog will spend hours playing with it because it can’t be broken.
2. This is the Nylabone DuraChew double bone chew dog toy.
The Nylabone DuraChew is great for small dogs and puppies. The materials used to make it are strong and won’t break or chip. This can’t be broken, and your dog will love to play with it over and over again.
3. Top Paw Valentine’s Day “I Licked It” Bone Dog Toy
This is a plush bone dog toy that is fun and adorable. When the dog bites it, it makes a noise. It is soft, but it’s made so that it can’t be broken. This soft bone is something your pet will love to chew on. Soon, this will be his favorite toy.
Lab German Shepherd Mix Training
The Labrador Retriever x German Shepherd mix is a smart dog, but it might need more than a simple obedience class to be trained. These tips will quickly get your dog to obey you.
- How to Use a Clicker
Find out how to use a clicker to train your dog. This is a tiny hand-held gadget about the size of a car key. In case you press this, you will hear a click, which dogs really enjoy. People use the clicker for many different tricks, but the most common one is to give praise.
After your dog has learned the trick, just click the clicker once more to make it happen again. Buy a good clicker. You can find them online at most pet stores.
- Use positive reinforcement with your dog.
Don’t give your dog treats every time he does a good job. This can make you fat and cause other health problems that come with being overweight. Give your dog a pat, play with him, or scratch when he does something good. You can show your dog how good he is by telling him nice things and giving him lots of pats.
- Puppies Should Start Training Early
As soon as your German Shepherd Lab puppy gets home, teach him some easy ways to keep the dog out of the house. Show him where he can go to the bathroom, eat, sleep, and drink. You have to wait because every dog is different.
- Stick to it.
Put your dog’s things in the same spot. The first time he found his bed, it should be back where it was. The same goes for his food bowls. When you train your dog to do important things, you need to be consistent. To make training your dog more consistent, you might also want to tell everyone in the house about your rules and commands.
- Train your dog in a place it is used to.
Labrador retrievers get distracted easily, so you should train your puppy in a quiet, familiar place first before taking him outside to do more work.
Start by being alone with him in a quiet room. You can take him outside to train him when noise, other pets, and people don’t bother him as much.
You could also get your Lab-German Shepherd mix professionally trained if you want it to become a police or service dog when it grows up.
German Shepherd Lab Mix and Families
The Labrador Retriever loves being with its owners and will do anything to please them. This makes it a great family dog.
These are calm around kids and won’t bite or roughhouse with them. They can even handle toddlers and games that are very intense, like dress up and role play.
Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds get along great with other pets and even other dogs. They aren’t bossy, and they’ll never start a fight.
If you don’t socialize the Lab-German Shepherd mix with people and other dogs early on, they might become shy or even mean to them. To stop this bad behavior, you should train your dog and let it meet other dogs and people first.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get a German Shepherd Lab Mix
- For this mixed breed, you need to get special training.
Don’t get a German Shepherd mixed with a Lab if you are very busy and barely have time for yourself, your family, or your home. This dog needs to be trained all the time, and it needs very specific training. Dominance-based training won’t work if you do it every day. You need to get creative with how to keep this mixed breed interested.
- There is a lot going on with this mixed-breed dog.
If you get tired easily or don’t like being active, you should find another dog. When a Lab and a German Shepherd are together, they need A LOT of exercise. You should take it for long walks, play games with it, and train it often. If you forget to do any of these things, your dog could get bored and start acting up.
- This dog might be looking at you.
The Labrador Retriever likes to be and do everything with its owner, which is an interesting trait. This dog might be too much for some dog owners to handle. In this case, this mixed-breed dog might not be the right one for you.
Reasons Why You Should Get a Lab Mixed with German Shepherd
1. These dogs are really smart.
When it comes to smarts, the Lab-German Shepherd mix is the clear winner. Both of its parent breeds are very smart dogs, which is why these dogs are used as police dogs, guide dogs, and service dogs.
2. These dogs will always protect you.
Labradors and German Shepherds are both very loyal dogs that will do anything to protect their family and the area they live in. German Shepherd dogs are brave, smart, and can be taught to attack people who threaten them. Labradors will bark when they think there is danger, and if their master thinks there is danger, they will never leave him.
3. This dog will get you moving.
This mixed-breed dog will finally get you moving. You can get in better shape and stay healthy because this dog needs long walks and more playtime. You will be trained by your German Shepherd Lab.
Top 10 Products for German Shepherd Lab Mix
Ensuring your German Shepherd Lab Mix (Sheprador) has the best care involves selecting high-quality products tailored to their needs. Here are ten top-rated items available on Amazon:
KONG Classic Dog Toy
A durable chew toy that dispenses treats, keeping your Sheprador engaged and promoting dental health.
Nylabone DuraChew Double Bone
Designed for powerful chewers, this bone helps reduce tartar buildup and satisfies chewing instincts.
Top Paw Valentine ‘I Licked It’ Bone
A plush, squeaky bone that offers comfort and entertainment, suitable for gentle chewers.
Orijen Puppy Large Dog Food
A high-protein, grain-free formula that supports the growth and development of large breed puppies.
Nom Nom Beef Mash
A fresh, human-grade dog food option providing balanced nutrition for adult Shepradors.
Dr. Gary’s Best Breed German Dog Diet
A premium dry dog food formulated to meet the specific nutritional needs of German Shepherds and their mixes.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Senior
A high-protein, grain-free diet tailored for senior Shepradors, supporting joint health and overall well-being.
Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon
A grain-free dry dog food featuring a variety of protein sources, ideal for active Shepradors.
Ollie Lamb Dish with Cranberries
A wet dog food option made with human-grade ingredients, providing a flavorful and nutritious meal.
Just Food For Dogs Pantry Fresh Joint & Skin Support
A diet formulated to support joint health and skin condition, beneficial for Shepradors prone to hip dysplasia.
