Great Pyrenees Lab Mix - Pyrador
The Great Pyrenees Lab Mix, also known as the Pyrador, is a hybrid mix breed dog resulting from breeding the Great Pyrenees and the Labrador Retriever. This is going to be a large, friendly dog taking after both of the underlying parent breeds. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Great Pyrenees Lab Mix. Note that this hybrid can consist of the black lab, yellow lab, or chocolate lab.
While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Great Pyrenees Lab Mix puppy if they have any for sale.
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Great Pyrenees Lab Mix - Pyrador History:
All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. Please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.
Labrador Retriever History:
The Labrador Retriever has consistently ranked as the most popular purebred dog in the United States and the United Kingdom for more than 10 years, according to the American Kennel Club. They make great family pets as well as a companion, show dog, hunting dog, canine athlete, guide dog, service dog, sniffer dog, search and rescue dog, and therapy dog. They are very active dogs that need daily exercise and mental stimulation. When they start to become bored and destructive is when they miss their exercise.
People who research this stuff have a couple of different theories about how the breed came to be called the Labrador. The first is that it was borrowed from the Spanish word for laborer — labrador — which is certainly a fitting description. The second is that it is related to the dogs that accompanied Portuguese fishermen who trawled the Grand Banks off the coast of Labrador and its neighbor Newfoundland. The British who visited Newfoundland appreciated the dogs’ abilities - swimmer, easygoing, hard worker, and brought them back to England. They then made their way back to North America in the early 1900’s. American sportsmen who admired their positive traits brought them back over.
Great Pyrenees History:
These dogs take their name from the mountain range in southwestern Europe, in the area today known as France. They have been used for centuries to guard flocks of sheep. Us here in the U.S refer to them as the Great Pyrenees. In the UK and in Europe, they are known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog. They have been used for centuries as the primary working companion of peasant shepherds who spend the majority of their time in the mountains.
This is an ancient breed that more than likely evolved from a group of principally white mountain flock guard dogs in Asia. They more than likely migrated West with their Shepherds and sheep through the Pyrenees Mountains as long as around 3000 BC. Over this expansive time-frame they developed the characteristics that make it unique and gave it it’s white color and protective instincts over the flock.
Great Pyrenees and Lab Mix - Pyrador Size and Weight
Great Pyrenees
Height: 26 - 32 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 80 - 120 lb.
Lifespan: 10 - 12 years
LAB
Height: 22 - 24 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 55 - 79 lb.
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Great Pyrenees Black Lab Mix - Pyrador Personality
This mix is going to be a sweet, gentle companion that aims to please. It might jump in your lap as it is going to want to spend a lot of time with and around you. Both the Lab and the Pyrenees are very sweet dogs. The Pyrenees is very quiet and laid back but will defend if needed. Early socialization and positive reinforcement are vital for all dogs. He is intelligent so training should be moderately easy. He should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. Don’t plan on leaving him alone for long periods as he won’t do well alone. He wants to be with the “pack.”
Great Pyrenees Lab Mix - Pyrador Health
All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.
The Chocolate lab mixed with the Great Pyrenees might be prone to Hip & Elbow Dysplasia, Joint Problems, Obesity, Skin Problems, and allergiesGreat Pyrenees Lab Mix - Pyrador Care:
What are the grooming requirements?
The Great Pyrenees has a very long coat and the Lab sheds a lot so this might make for a more demanding dog to take care of. The Pyrenees sheds year round so get ready for a bit more work in this department. Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.
What are the exercise requirements?
He is going to be a higher energy dog that is going to need a lot more exercise than other dogs. The good news is that it will probably like to swim which is a great way to wear your dog out. The lab is as hyper as hyper can be and the Pyrenees is a little more laid back. However, it was bred to walk through the mountains all day and keep up with the flock, so keep that in mind. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him. Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. A tired dog is a good dog. This is not a good dog for a couch potato as he wants to be active with his people.
What are the training requirements?
This dog might be a bit stubborn as the Pyrenees was bred to be an independent thinker and to take care of things on his own. So keep that in mind when training him. The Lab was bred to please and work with a trainer so the mix will be something in between. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. Both are pretty intelligent dogs and will make training them that much easier. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.
Great Pyrenees Lab Mix - Pyrador Feeding
A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible.
Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.
I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.