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?
The Labrastaff is what breeders got when they first mixed the Labrador Retriever and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
This is an athletic dog, known as Staffy Lab and Staffador, as well. They are highly intelligent, loyal, and affectionate.
By many dog experts, this mixed breed got the best qualities from both parents.
Just like his parents, Labrastaff is an active dog who loves being busy.
Breeds with a lot of energy will demand more time from their owners, better-organized training, and exercise time. They will demand you be the best possible dog owner ever.
If you are an outdoor person or your family members are outdoor spirits, this breed is for you – as long as the family and its members have experience with dogs.
The Labrastaff will always be loyal and highly protective of his members and will bond additionally with children.
They won’t appreciate being left alone, let alone for too long or too frequently. Make sure that you have enough time for this breed.
You don’t want to see any signs of separation anxiety in your Labrastaff.
This condition can come as very harsh to many dogs, and dog owners. It’s treatable, but it will take a lot of time and energy.
All in, don’t leave them too long, and make sure that there is always someone in with your Labrastaff.
Otherwise, you might experience how bored and sad dogs may behave. Learn more about this breed below.
Quick Facts
Real name: Labrastaff
Other names: Staffador, Staffy Lab
Breed type: Mixed Breed Dogs
Weight: 40 to 80 pounds
Height: 17 to 24 inches
Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
Litter Size: 4 – 7 puppies
Color: Black, brown, and brindle
Coat: Short and dense
Labrastaff History
Like many other mixed breeds, Labrastaffs are relatively new mixed breed dogs.
As such, there isn’t much information on the breed’s exact development. However, the breed’s parents are well-known breeds.
The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dogs globally.
When it comes to the States, the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular breeds.
In fact, this breed is often the most popular in the States. Originally, this breed is from Canada.
There, this popular breed was carefully bred to assist humans. Their job was to hunt and retrieve before their job duties were extended to guiding services.
On the other hand, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has strong hunting roots. This breed was initially bred to fight in pits and face bulls.
Luckily, these days are long gone and they are today full-time pets with almost no aggression.
The majority of their aggressive attitudes are heavily bred out of them. Still, proper dog owner experience is a must if you want to have a dog with terrier roots.
The Labrastaff is today known as a designer dog breed of famous parents.
Here is what you expect from this breed in terms of appearance.
If you want to compare Labrastaff with its breed parents, use this compare dog breeds tool to see if this breed is for you.
Labrastaff Physical Appearance
The Labrastaff is a medium-sized dog. Since this is a new breed, their overall appearance, and size guidelines may vary.
With mixed breeds, size may vary often. So far, the most common size of this breed is up to 24 inches, and its weight varies from 40 to 80 pounds.
As with other breeds as well, females are slightly smaller in general appearance.
How long do Labrastaffs live? If you provide proper care, regular check-ups, and overall nurturing surroundings, you can expect this breed to live between 10 to 14 years.
Since there is no specific standard for Labrastaff dogs, overall appearance may be considered of the hybrid’s parent breeds.
The head will usually be broad like in Labrador, while the entire body should be athletic and muscular.
Eyes can be hazel, brown, and amber.
Ears will usually hang down, while the tale will be thick at the base, and tampered at its end. Tail set in this way helps the dog during his swimming sessions.
Dogs of this breed will have powerful jaws, heavy necks, and very broad chests.
As for the color and marking, they are seen in many types. Overall, Labrastaff dogs should have great strength and always demonstrate a strong gait.
Labrastaff Personality
If you have dog experience already, and you love medium-size dogs with high tolerance levels, then Labrastaff is for you.
This energetic dog will be soft around kids and will be your true shadow. Make sure that your children know how to behave around dogs, and understand basic dog house rules.
No matter how well gentle your dog might be, children (especially younger kids) shouldn’t be left alone with dogs.
Children should know why it’s crucial not to disturb dogs while eating, sleeping, or resting in their area. Children should never pull dogs for their ears, or tails, or try to pick them anyhow.
Dogs love calm moves around them and children tend to be fast and react as if dogs are fluffy toys – this can lead to many unplanned accidents and not-so-safe moments.
Although they are massive kids’ lovers, they love being around adults as well.
Are Labrastaff good dogs? Labrastaff dogs are generally great around humans, although they may be suspicious of other dogs.
This is why proper socialization and training are a must. Otherwise, you can expect your Labrastaff to demonstrate some destructive behavior.
However, as long as you have boundaries for your Labrastaff, and he knows how to behave around people and animals, he should be fine.
Labrastaff Training
Training your dog is the best thing that you can do for his social engagement. Only properly socialized and trained dogs are well-behaved citizens.
Dogs love being busy.
Having a job to do is when keeps dogs mentally stimulated and physically fit. Socialization pays off with any breed, especially with mixed breeds.
Training should start as soon as you bring your Labrastaff home. Dogs are more than capable of mastering the basic commands at eight weeks of age.
If you feel like you need help with a training session, think about hiring a professional dog trainer.
Puppy classes can be more than helpful, can make your bond with your Fido stronger, and are health-wise fruitful.
Ultimately, early socialization, with well-designed training pays off. When training becomes too much for you to bear, know that it pays off in the long run.
Labrastaff Exercise
Some dogs are more active than others.
Also, some dogs can thrive on regular toilet walks and be happy staying in the rest of the day in. However, that’s not the case with this breed.
Labrastaff thrives on physical activity next to his humans. Since this breed has Labrador in him, it’s expected that Labrastaff will adore water.
He will enjoy swimming in the river or the lake, next to long walks and indoor playtime.
Since there is a terrier inside this breed, you can expect some digging tendency as well. Your Labrastaff may show these tendencies as well.
Taking a hybrid breed in means that there are real chances of him taking every parent’s traits or just some.
Labrastaff is a dog who thrives on a medium activity level and not on too challenging exercises. Labrastaff can thrive on 12 miles per week.
To keep your Labrastaff physically happy and mentally stimulated, provide 60 minutes of activity per day.
Labrastaff Grooming
Grooming is a big part of being a dog owner. This practice is what keeps your dog healthy and happy. As a process grooming goes beyond brushing.
Yes, brushing is a huge step if you want your dog to have a shinny and smooth coat. However, grooming practice doesn’t end there.
Grooming includes:
- Teeth check
- Weekly gums check
- Regular brushing with the right grooming tools
- Nail trimming or grinding
- Bathing only when needed
- Providing parasite control
The best way to keep your Labrastaff well-groomed is to start him grooming at an early age. Otherwise, your Labrastaff may become resentful of grooming.
The same tactics are applied to veterinarian visits, If you want to adapt your dog to any new habit, think about starting while a puppy.
Puppyhood is the best period for creating new habits and developing a healthy routine.
What about the shedding amount in this breed? Labrastaff won’t shed much. When it comes to shedding, stick to weekly brushes to keep it at its minimum.
You may expect more intense shedding during the shedding season, which occurs in spring and autumn.
In general, Labrastaffs are adaptable dogs. They will adapt easily as long as the environment is healthy. They are also fast to adapt to various climates conditions.
If you are based in a really cold area, make sure that you provide the right dog coat and the following gear. If you are based in a snowy region, providing dog boots is the key to keeping paws dry and salt-free.
As you may know already, industrial salt can seriously harm a dog’s paws during the winter days. Don’t forget to provide enough water during the hot days.
A warm climate creates dogs that are more prone to heatstroke since they do not sweat as humans do. Dogs sweat by panting.
If possible provide a cold area, for your Fido to rest, or let him chill in the bathroom on the tiles. During the summertime, having a bowl of water nearby is a must.
Labrastaff Health
Labrastaff is considered to be a healthy breed. They will be sensitive to certain conditions like their parents are.
This is why it’s always important to check the parent’s history of mixed-breed dogs.
To know exactly just how your Labrastaff is prone to certain diseases you need to talk to your veterinarian regular check-ups are the best thing that you can do as prevention.
In fact, nothing stops a certain condition like prevention does.
Add to that proper care and high-quality nutrition and you can be sure that your Labrastaff will live a long and healthy life.
In the meantime, do proper research on the following conditions:
Once you get your Labrastaff home you are directly responsible for his weight. It’s easy to let the dog have more treats than he should.
One look with those big eyes, and you are ready to hand him over a full bowl of treats, right? However, no matter how much your Labrastaff enjoys treats and how hard it is for you to say ‘no’ you should resist.
At least, you should resist, unless you want your dog to gain significant weight amount.
Obesity in dogs is a massive problem across the States as dogs tend to get more and more obese.
Unless you have to put extra weight on your dog due to veterinarian causes, you should keep his diet in order. Know just how much you should feed your dog and how often.
Labrastaff Nutrition
Any dog should thrive on high-quality food, and Labrastaff is not an exception. Since they are energetic dogs, they will need food richer in terms of nutrients.
Make sure that you know how to read pet food labels and always provide food that’s appropriate to the dog’s years and size.
You should never feed puppies with senior dogs’ food and vice versa. Just like humans, dogs should need specific food in every life phase and Labrastaff is no expectation.
For example, puppies need a higher amount of food and more frequent meals, while adult dogs should do fine on two meals per day.
If you have any doubts about your dog’s nutrition needs or weight, make sure that you talk with your veterinarian.
Pro tip: Compare different dog foods to find the best food for your Labrastaff.
Labrastaff – Bottom Line
If you are serious about keeping your Labrastaff healthy and happy you need to focus on his entire care.
This breed will thrive enjoying time with his humans, and having a warm bed to snuggle in, next to regular food.
Dogs are creatures of habit – therefore, your Labrastaff will enjoy regular walks, meals, and treats.
Make sure that you discuss care preferences on this breed with your veterinarian.
Provide regular check-ups, high-quality food, and enough love to keep your Labrastaff happy.
Don’t forget that a tired dog is a happy dog – only by keeping this in your mind, you will actually manage to keep your Labrastaff mentally stimulated and physically satisfied.
Dogs love when there is a job to be done.
If you are a first time dog owner, you might focus on getting a breed that has lower energy levels and prefers you begin a pack leader because Labrastaff is a breed for more experienced dog owners.
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