Labloodhound Overview
- Parent Breeds:
- Bloodhound & Labrador Retriever
- Breed Nickname:
- Labloodhound
- Size:
- Large
- Height:
- 21 to 25 inches
- Weight:
- 70 to 100 pounds
- Life Span:
- 8 to 12 years
- Coat Colors:
- Black, brown, and white
Labloodhound Characteristics
About The Labloodhound
What Is A Bloodhound Lab Mix Called?
The offspring of a Bloodhound and a Labrador Retriever is called a Labloodhound. You might also see it called a Labhound.
These dogs are lively, friendly, and plenty of fun. They’re loyal to their owners and are very headstrong, so an experienced owner is best to keep up with their needs.
But is the Labloodhound the ideal dog breed you’ve been looking for to welcome into the family? Let’s find out more about this breed now.
Labloodhound Breed History
Labradors originated in the 1800s.
Bloodhounds are ancient dogs dating back to the 1300s.
There isn’t much information on the Labloodhound origins.
There is limited information available on the Labloodhound, despite it being half of one of America’s most beloved pure breeds. The Labrador Retriever originated in Newfoundland and was used as fishermen’s dogs in the 1800s.
It almost died out in the 1880s due to a dog tax, and thank goodness it didn’t! They were reinvented in the UK to be used as guard dogs but were quickly used by sight dogs, too.
It wasn’t long before they were brought to America to capture all of our hearts.
The Bloodhound is an ancient breed dating back to the 1300s in the UK. They were used as tracking dogs thanks to their keen sense of smell, as well as police dogs for hunting criminals.
It’s uncertain as to why breeders would have bred these two dogs together, although it could have been to minimize health conditions. They might have also wanted to mix two working dogs together to create a more companionable Hound dog.
Labloodhound Personality & Temperament
Friendly companion dogs.
Good watchdogs, not guard dogs.
Good around children and strangers.
The Labloodhound is a very friendly dog that loves anyone they meet. While they might be slightly cautious with strangers, they won’t take long to warm up and make new friends.
Both Labradors and Bloodhounds are good with children, so it stands to reason that their offspring will be, too.
This dog is plenty active, so will thrive with an active family willing to take them on lots of outings.
An intelligent dog like the Labloodhound can get bored easily, which can lead to destructive behaviors like digging and chewing. They’re also loud when they’re unhappy, which can encourage a lot of noise complaints from your neighbors.
So, they need someone home with them most of the day to prevent them from getting bored.
These dogs make good watchdogs, but not guard dogs.
Don’t expect them to protect the house from intruders – they’ll probably just make a friend. Since these dogs have an excellent sense of smell, it’s best to keep them on a leash while out in public.
Labloodhound Health
A relatively healthy dog.
Life expectancy of 8 to 12 years.
Regular vet checkups will pick up illnesses early.
On the whole, Labloodhounds are relatively healthy dogs. They can still inherit some illnesses that their parent breeds suffer from, but the risk is minimized.
However, Labloodhounds still tend to have a shorter-than-average lifespan of 8 to 12 years.
The main concerns regarding the health of Labloodhounds are gastric torsion, or bloating, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
Minor issues include Ectropion, Elbow and Hip Dysplasia, and Epilepsy.
If your Labloodhound has loose skin around the neck from its Bloodhound parent, it might be in danger of contracting Fold Dermatitis in between the folded skin.
Take your Labloodhound to a professional veterinarian once a year for a checkup. This will give you peace of mind that your dog is healthy, while also monitoring their weight and highlighting any suspicious symptoms.
Labloodhound Training
The ease of training will depend on the parent breed they take after.
Use positive reinforcement.
Teach them who is the top dog as soon as possible.
Labradors are very eager to please dogs, so most of their offspring are easy to train. However, Bloodhounds are notorious for their stubborn streak.
They are very headstrong and know exactly what they want to do, and when they want to do it.
This means that you need to pick the ideal time for training to have them comply. They need to be fed, happy, and well-rested. They also shouldn’t be bored or frustrated.
It’s imperative that you teach them who the alpha is in the family from an early age. This will prevent any power struggles in the future, which can greatly impact training.
Only use positive reinforcement, as negative words will stick with the Labloodhound and make them even more resistant to your training methods.
Labloodhound Exercise Requirements
The ease of training will depend on the parent breed they take after.
Use positive reinforcement.
Teach them who is the top dog as soon as possible.
The Labloodhound is an energetic dog who loves getting daily exercise. They’ll need at least 60 minutes of strenuous exercise a day, but preferably more. Throughout the week, expect this dog to walk around 20 miles!
Still, don’t think that this dog is confined to walking. They also love swimming, running, hiking, and playing fetch.
When in public, you’ll need to keep an eye on your Labloodhound to make sure they’re not following a scent they’ve picked up on. You’ll need to teach them how to recall well to prevent having to run after them constantly.
This breed suits an owner who is active enough to keep up with them. They won’t do well in apartments and need a large yard to burn off excess energy throughout the day. Mental stimulation is also very important for Labloodhounds.
Labloodhound Diet & Feeding
Look for food formulated for large dogs with high energy levels.
Feed them the correct amount for their weight.
Labloodhounds need to be fed a diet consisting of plenty of protein to aid their aching muscles after a long day of burning energy! Speaking of energy, their food will also require healthy fats and carbohydrates.
Obesity will slow this dog down, which can make them frustrated when they can’t move how they want to. This can lead to depression, which is very serious in dogs. To avoid this, only feed them the correct amount of food for their weight.
Labloodhounds can suffer from bloating, so give them smaller meals throughout the day rather than one large meal.
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Labloodhound Cost
Costs between $500 and $1,200.
Ongoing costs include food, sitters, insurance, and more.
Expect to pay around $500 to $1,200 for your Labloodhound. A reputable breeder will ask for more, but the lower risk of health concerns is well worth the extra price.
Ongoing costs include lots of food, sturdy toys, and vet bills. If you’re a busy professional, you might also have to pay for a dog sitter throughout the day to keep them entertained and stimulated.
