Labradane (Labrador Retriever & Great Dane Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

Breed Overview

The Labradane is one of the larger designer dog breeds, known for its mild-mannered nature and extra-large size. With the “gentle giant” way of life that Great Danes possess mixed with the natural eagerness of Labs, Labradanes make excellent family pets and watchdogs. While some designer dog breeds have been a one-time creation, Labradanes are becoming more in demand by the year. These hybrids look more like oversized Labrador Retrievers, which is one of many reasons why they became so popular. Let’s take a closer look at this supersized hybrid.

Labradane Puppies

Labradane Characteristics

Although Labradanes are not purebred dogs, they’ve become increasingly popular as a “designer dog breed”. Due to their popularity, Labradanes are priced quite high.

If you are looking for a unique hybrid, the Labradane may be the pup for you. They are gentle giants full of love!

Temperament & Intelligence of the Labradane

Often prized for their calmness and companionship, Labradanes are ideal family pets because they can handle children of most ages and will naturally protect the homestead. These large dogs are happy snuggling on the couch with their favorite person, but they do enjoy playtime and romping around off-leash. While not all Labradanes may possess the same qualities as their littermates, we can take a closer look at the parents to have an idea of what to expect:

Great Danes are known for being the gentle giants of the dog world but are sadly known for their short lifespans. These massive canines are excellent companions that rarely have aggression issues, but their imposing size makes them deterrents to unwanted visitors. Great Danes are also a popular choice for service work, often trained in helping people with physical disabilities move around from place to place.

Labrador Retrievers are the most popular dog breed almost exclusively around the world, mostly due to their cheerful and good-natured demeanors. Although they can be raucous as young puppies, Labs usually mellow within a few years. They’re not only easy to train, but they also make excellent service dogs. Labs, as well as Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds, make exceptionally great seeing-eye dogs.

Because Labs and Great Danes are similar in temperament and intellect, it’s safe to say that your Labradane will inherit some of these qualities. Temperaments can vary wildly with mixed breeds, but Labradanes seem to have missed the memo and are known for being relatively calm and mild-mannered.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Yes! Though they’ll occasionally forget their size and strength, Labradanes are best suited for active families with children. They do best with homes that have adequate space for them, so this hybrid is not the best choice for small apartment living. If you have younger children and you're nervous about having a big dog, Labradanes are an ideal choice due to their gentleness and loyalty to the family.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Yes, but there is a catch: cats and small animals can be a little too tempting with Labradanes, most likely due to the Labrador’s eagerness to chase. However, as long as they’re properly introduced, this shouldn’t pose a big problem.

Otherwise, Labradanes usually get along well with other dogs, especially if they’re raised together. They’ll enjoy having company if you live alone but with other dogs, so you may want to consider getting a second dog as a companion for your Labradane.

Things to Know When Owning a Labradane

Food & Diet Requirements

Labradanes need a controlled, strict diet to prevent overeating, weight issues, and digestive issues. A high-quality crunchy kibble with lots of protein and nutrients is the best bet, so look for dry dog food recipes geared towards large breed dogs. If you’re not sure what to feed or your dog needs a specialized diet, talk to your vet about what food is best to feed your Labradane puppy.

Invest in a slow-feeder type of bowl early on as Labradanes will inhale their food in seconds. While this can seem cute and silly, eating too fast can lead to bloat. Bloat is a digestive issue that can be fatal in itself, as well as leading to other life-threatening conditions. To reduce the possibility of bloat happening to your dog, a slow-feeder or puzzle bowl is your best bet.

Exercise

Their large size may trick people into thinking Labradanes need miles of walking and hours of exercise, but they don’t have extremely high energy levels like other large breeds usually do. These large dogs do best with a few long walks around the block and some time off-leash, so it’s best to have a fenced-in area where they can gallop around for a bit. Some Labradanes will have strong retrieval instincts, which can be fun for you and your dog. Consider investing in a ball launcher or large rope toys if your Labradane enjoys fetch-based games.

Training

Since both the Labrador and Great Dane are intelligent and relatively easy to train, Labradanes usually possess these same qualities. They do best with food-based, positive training with a gentle, but consistent hand. These dogs tend to be sensitive and will take harsh training methods to heart, so patience and tasty treats are all you’ll need for these big dogs.

Labradors are highly athletic dogs and some of that athleticism shines through in most Lab mixes. If your Labradane has the stamina and athleticism, consider trying agility or other dog sports to keep them in shape. These competitive activities will help you develop a close bond with your dog while also keeping them healthy and active.

The only problem you may have with the Labradane is with off-leash training since some have a strong chase drive. Even with professional, consistent training, some Labradanes may struggle to forgo the chase. Unless your dog has a reliable recall and great obedience skills, we recommend keeping this hybrid in a fenced-in yard or on a leash to prevent bolting. 

Grooming ✂️

Labradanes have short coats, so you won’t need to bring out the clippers. Weekly brushing and occasional bathing will keep the coat clean and help reduce shedding but expect a massive amount of fur each time you groom. Even with consistent efforts to keep shedding down, Labradanes are moderate shedders that will leave fur wherever they go.

Health and Conditions ❤️

One reason why Labradanes became so popular is that they’re healthier than Great Danes, which are sadly known for having short lifespans. On the other side, Labrador Retrievers have better lifespans and aren't plagued by conditions that giant-sized dogs tend to face. Because of the diversity in health and lifespan, it can be difficult to tell what you'll have to face your Labradane puppy. However, we can get a general idea by looking at the common health conditions both breeds face:

While similar in what conditions both purebreds face, these medical issues inflict many more Great Danes than Labs. Bloat and Hip Dysplasia are two serious concerns that your Labradane may face, while seizures and elbow dysplasia are also common. Thankfully, Labradanes do have longer lifespans than Great Danes due to the healthier presence of Lab genetics. 

Male vs Female

Normally the choice of female or male Labradane is a personal matter, but it should be noted that males may be bigger and heavier than their female siblings. If size isn’t an issue, then the choice of female versus male Labradane is a personal choice. Males also like to mark their territory (even indoors), but this is easier to correct with bigger dogs. Aside from possible marking, there aren’t major personality differences between male and female Labradanes.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Labradane

1. Labradanes Can Weigh Over 125 Pounds

Labradanes can easily weigh over 125 pounds, sometimes hitting close to 150 pounds. Although the average Labrador Retriever rarely weighs over 100 pounds, the Great Dane can weigh over 150 pounds. Labradanes are closer in size to their Great Dane relatives, so you’ll have to prepare for a large dog in the future when bringing home a puppy.

2. Labradanes Shed a Lot

Labradanes may have short coats, but their shedding can be overwhelming. Weekly brushing of your Labradane’s coat will help reduce overall shedding, but it won’t stop it completely. If you’re looking for a low-shed dog, you’ll have to look elsewhere as this hybrid will cover any surface with fur.

3. Labradanes Love to Eat

Unlike some breeds and mixes, Labradanes love to eat. It’s important to stick to a consistent feeding schedule to prevent overfeeding, but their food-driven focus can make training much easier. Look for dog food designed specifically for large breeds when it’s time to go shopping for your new Labradane puppy.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a large-sized mixed breed without the high energy that most big dogs have, the Labradane is a great choice. These dogs are natural family companions that will take up the role of watchdog without being aggressive, so they’re ideal for dog owners who enjoy being social. They excel in many areas from companionship to obedience, without the stubbornness that other big dog breeds often have. If you have the room for a horse-sized hybrid and you’re willing to handle the health complications down the road, the Labradane will fit right at home.

Featured Image Credit: ShotPrime Studio, Shutterstock