Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
Labradors are so popular and so beloved dogs that it doesn’t come as a big surprise that there are so many varieties of this breed.
Mixed breeds are more and more popular with each passing day and when they have in them so popular breeds, such as Labradors and Pointers they just spark additional interest in dog lovers.
The Lab Pointer is a mix between the Labrador Retriever and Pointer. This breed was created to combine an intelligent and energetic dog who loves being around his humans.
As such, this mixed breed is a perfect addition to active-outdoor families with children. You are a first time dog owner? Then, this breed should be on your list of breeds to consider having.
The Lab Pointer is a gentle soul who gets perfectly with other dogs and pets. His sweet nature and significant endurance make him a great running and jogging partner.
Quick Facts
Real name: Lab Pointer
Origin: Newfoundland
Breed type: Mixed Breed Dogs
Weight: 35 to 80 pounds
Height: 22 to 28 inches
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Litter Size: 5 – 10 puppies
Color: Ranging from black, over brown, up to yellow
Coat: Short to medium-length, thick and straight
Lab Pointer History
The Lab Pointer is considered to be a new breed. This popular mixed dog was created in the 1980s when the popularity of mixed dogs was on the rise.
Breeders, as always, wanted to develop a breed with complementary traits of both parents, but much healthier.
The Lab Pointer might be a young breed, but they have an impressive history. Breed’s parents have strong working and sporting backgrounds. Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dogs globally, especially across the States.
These dogs, originally from Newfoundland, were used to assist people with everyday working tasks.
Some of their duties included hauling nets, roper, and pulling in fish. On the other hand, the Pointer is an older breed, dating back to the 16th century.
This breed was brought to England from Spain and Portugal. To understand better the Lab Pointer it’s crucial to learn more about parent breeds.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers were favorites among fishermen in Newfoundland, Canada for a long time.
At first, this lovely breed was known as the St. John’s dog. Sportsmen who visited Canada took this breed back to England where they were used for hunting and got their current name.
By the end of the 19th century, Labradors began disappearing from Canada. The reason? Breeding and tax laws were so high that dog owners couldn’t handle owning them anymore.
Today, Labrador Retrievers are among the most popular breeds and today they are often busy performing certain tasks.
Today, Labrador Retrievers are busy working as therapy, service, and guide dogs, since they are easy to train and love to please people.
Pointer
Pointer breeds come in different sizes and appearances. For years, these dogs were used to pointing at the game when hunting. This way they would allow hunters to get close to the game.
These dogs are considered to be old breeds. They are often present in painting from centuries ago.
These dogs were extremely popular in England before they took on the world.
There are three main types of Pointers:
- English Pointer
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- German Wirehaired Pointer
With parents of so rich sporting backgrounds, it comes as no surprise that the Lab Pointer is a breed with of strong sporting spirit.
If you are considering getting Lab Pointer into your life, you should keep on reading.
Knowing as much as possible about the breed will help you make a better decision, whether this breed is for you or not.
Lab Pointer Physical Appearance
Your Lab Pointer will be of medium size with a longer and well-muscled body. This breed will have a slight slope at the shoulders, and big expressive eyes.
They have a powerful stance and they were built for speed and strength. Ears are wide and hang down to the upper jaw.
Eyes will be almond-shaped and will vary in color. Some may have darker eyes, while some Pointers could easily have really light eyes. In size, they will always be from medium to large dogs, with males being slightly larger than females.
They are very athletic and will need a fair amount of space, which makes them great for larger city homes or places in more rural areas. Lab Pointers come in many different colors, ranging from black, over brown, up to yellow. They will very often have white markings on their face and chest.
As a general rule, they will come in white, brown, or black. Their coat will go from short to medium-length, and will always be thick and straight.
What Will Lab Pointer Puppies Look Like?
Labrador and Pointer puppies will always look different, as expected. Their appearance is so different that you cannot mix them like people can mistake Siberian Husky puppies for Alaskan Malamute puppies – they are extremely similar in appearance. With mixed breeds, there can always be some differences in the look.
As for the Lab Pointer puppies you can always expect them to have the following:
- Short coat
- Floppy ears
- Straight tail
As for the color – it depends. Their colors will always vary depending on the colors of the parents.
For example, if parents have a black coat, puppies are most likely to have a black coat as well.
Lab Pointer Personality
The Lab Pointer is a friendly breed of calm temperament and eager to please personality. They are highly loyal and love spending time with their humans.
Lab Pointers are huge people-pleasers and they are often described as a clingy breed, considering that they have a sporting background. At least, that’s the case when it comes to their humans.
When it comes to how well they will organize their time and how many activities they will have during the day, they tend to be very independent.
Having a dog who is independent means that he is fine with being left on his own for a few hours. This doesn’t mean that you should leave your dog all day alone or neglect him emotionally.
No matter how independent a dog might be, he will still need your support and care to thrive.
Plus, no matter how independent a dog might be, when neglected he will develop first separation anxiety and later on show signs of destructive behavior. They are great for watchdogs.
As such, they won’t hesitate to react when there is an intruder coming or anyone that your Lab Pointer isn’t familiar with.
Does this mean that they’re aggressive? No, it simply means that they will bark or howl to alert you and to be careful.
Lab Pointer Training
Training Lab Pointer is just like training any other breed – you will have to invest time, energy, and a lot of treats.
These dogs are highly intelligent and as such, they are easy to train, if you have training experience thou. If not, you might think about attending puppy classes together with your Lab Pointer or hiring a professional dog trainer for extra help.
Plus, a professional dog trainer who delivers one-on-one sessions can provide you with straightforward tips and tricks that will make your independent training sessions stronger.
Start training your Lab Pointer as soon as you bring him home. Dogs will start learning basic commands while being only eight weeks old. Training and early socialization are what separate a dog from a good canine citizen.
The socialization period should be used to make your dog comfortable with his new surroundings, new people, and other pets.
If your home is a multi-dog place, make sure that you introduce your puppy to your dog, or dogs, slowly and in safe surroundings.
Otherwise, make training sessions:
- Consistent
- Short
- Well-structured
- Fun
- Packed with treats
Make sure that you only use positive reinforcement training methods. No dog should ever experience any poor behavior or go through harsh training methods.
Reward-based approach with plenty of praise for maximum training results.
Before your Lab Pointer arrives, have enough dog toys, a proper dog bed, and enough knowledge on indoor games that will serve you perfectly during the rainy days.
After all, this breed has sporting parents, which means that Lab Pointer will always have extra energy to burn off.
Lab Pointer Exercise
Keeping your Lab Pointer happy and healthy is possible with high-quality food, proper training, and adequate exercise time.
Regular exercise packed with mental stimulation are mandatory to keep your Lab Pointer engaged and healthy.
Your Lab Pointer will enjoy long walks and dog park time off the leash. Never leave your dog walk free without a leash when you’re in an open space.
Regular exercise will keep your Lab Pointer engaged, well-behaved, and exposed to new areas.
Dogs learn by exploring the world: by smelling it and tasting it, for your walks are more linked with toilet breaks for dogs, but for dogs walk is time to explore.
Lab Pointer Grooming
Lab Pointers are great when it comes to grooming. You will still have to invest serious time to keep your dog shiny and clean, but it will be worth it.
Their coat is short and soft, and with proper grooming tools, you will keep it in order by weekly brushing.
Regular brushing is enough to remove the loose fur and debris. Bathing should be done only when really needed. When needed, use only dog-friendly shampoo.
Dogs have different skin opposite to humans, and they don’t need as much bathing like humans do.
If your veterinarian suggests it, brush his teeth with toothpaste that is specially designed for dogs.
The rest is basic care:
- Check gums weekly
- Check eyes for any sign of eye infection
- Trim or grind nails monthly
- Learn how to clean dog’s ears
- Brush weekly
Do Lab Pointers Shed?
The Lab Pointer is a moderate shedder. As expected, he will shed more frequently and in larger volume during the shedding season.
Dogs tend to shed more during the hotter times of the year. Luckily, regular brushing will keep shedding in order. Using de-shedding tools should make the coating thinner.
Lab Pointer Health
Lab Pointers are generally healthy dogs. It’s not knowns that they suffer from major health issues or specific genetic disorders.
Of course, dogs can develop certain conditions during their lifetime, and many external factors can lead to poor health conditions.
Luckily, as long g as you provide regular veterinarian check-ups, your dog should be in balance health-wise.
Some of the potential health issues that may appear in this breed are:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Bloat
- Hypothyroidism
- Arthritis
- Obesity
- Ear infections
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Once you get your Lab Pointer home, you are directly responsible for his weight.
Obesity in dogs is a serious issue, and your dog should be far from being part of these statistics.
If you have any doubts about your dog’s weight, talk to your veterinarian. In the meantime, you can simple, provide healthy feeding habits and do whatever possible to keep your Lab Pointer’s weight in balance, including:
- Knowing how much your should feed your Lab Pointer
- Knowing how often you should feed your Lab Pointer
- Reading pet food labels properly
- Learning which human foods should never be served to your dog
Lab Pointers should be fed with 1.5 to 2.5 cups of dry dog food. This amount should be enough to meet all of theirs protein and mineral needs.
If you think that your Lab Pointer is hungry talk to your veterinarian on more detailed feeding guidelines.
How Long Do Lab Pointers Live?
Lab Pointers, just like many other breeds, will reach the peak of their seniority level if maintained properly.
They usually live between 10 to 15 years, and they are considered to be generally a healthy breed. Some of the most common health issues can be well-managed during their life as long as you provide regular veterinarian check-ups.
To avoid any bigger eye infections and eye-related issues, check eyes regularly for the smallest sign of change.
Dogs will thrive on high-quality food, proper exercise, and enough love. They can feel when you are in pain or negative and it can easily be projected into their behavior.
That being said, try to provide as many positive moments to your Lab Pointer.
Is Lab Pointer For You?
The Lab Pointer is a breed that can make your life more engaging and beautiful, but is it for you? This breed is for you if already have active outdoor life and you don’t mind having long walks in the rain.
On the other hand, if you prefer a breed that is more of a count potato and so independent, then this breed isn’t for you.
The Lab Pointer isn’t for everyone, since they attend to be independent, active, and energetic. However, if you know how to live with these traits in a dog, Lab Pointer just might be your perfect home addiction.
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