Mixed breeds or designer dogs have become very popular. A lot of people will rather get a designer dog, than a purebred. Crossbreeds that have Labs as one of the parents are especially loved by people. One such mixed breed is the Lab Hound Mix.
It’s a mix between the Labrador Retriever and any Hound breed. For example a Bloodhound, Greyhound, or Plott hound. And, one-word owners of these dogs describe them as “lovable”. And we agree, that’s a word that defines them the best. You’ll see why!
This mix has several names, depending on which breed of Hound breeders used to get the mix. For example, Labbe, which is a Lab Beagle mix, or Bassador which is a Basset Hound and Lab Mix.
But, no matter which kind of Hound you mix with a Lab, you can expect Lab Hound Mix to be loving, affectionate, and a generally very happy dog. They can also be a bit stubborn. A trait they get from the Hound parent.
Lab Hound Mix – What to know
Before we get into the traits of Hound Lab Mix, there’s something you should know.
Because we’re talking about a mixed breed, we don’t know how exactly they will look or act like. These are two different breeds that are mixed together.
So, it’s possible that the puppies will be more like one parent breed or the other. They could also be an equal mix of both breeds.
What they look like
The size of the Lab Hound Mix depends on which Hound was used for breeding.
For example, Labloodhound and Greyhound Lab mix will usually be between 22 and 28 inches tall. The Dachsador is much smaller, they will be around 9 to 15 inches tall.
The same rule applies to their weight too. Their weight depends on which Hound breeders bred the Lab with. So, for example, the Labloodhound can be anywhere between 70 and 110 pounds heavy. The Greyhound Lab mix can be between 65 and 70 pounds heavy. The Labbe is usually between 25 and 70 pounds heavy. And lastly, we have the Dachsador, which is between 15 and 30 pounds heavy. Here we’re talking about males only. Females mixes will usually be a bit smaller and lighter.
Their coats are short and thick and can be three colors yellow, black and chocolate. But, it can also be a combination of two or three colors.
These dogs have muscular and athletic builds. Their eyes can be black, brown, and light brown. These dogs also have an excess of skin around their neck and upper back. They have round eyes that look lively and friendly, not like the Hound’s which are rather dull. The Lab Hound Mix inherited the droopy ears from the Hound parent.
What they’re like
Predicting the nature of the Lab Hound Mix is difficult. Single character traits are inherited randomly, and can only be predicted in general terms. This means that no one can guarantee you that your Hound Lab Mix be a certain way.
But, we can give you a general idea of what the Labrador Houd Mix can be like.
Your Hound Lab Mix will most likely be very affectionate and friendly. These dogs are definitely very sweet but can also be a bit stubborn. They also have a great sense of smell and can track down anything.
They can become a little mischievous, so you need to keep an eye on them. Just so they don’t get into any trouble. Besides this, we’re warning you right now. These dogs love attention more than anything else. We’re not even kidding. They love when all your focus is on them. This might sound cute at first. But, it can become a problem too. Because they love attention so much, you can’t leave them alone for too long. Otherwise, they’ll become bored, angry, and destructive.
The Lab Hound Mix needs a lot of space. So they won’t fit into a family that lives in a small flat. They really need their space and feel best in a large house with a big yard.
The energy levels of Lab Hound dogs are out of this world. So if you and your family love to stay outside, then this mixed breed is not for you. They need at least an hour of exercise every day. They love running in the dog park, hiking, or a long walk. This mix also loves swimming, playing fetch, or Frisbee. It doesn’t really matter which activity it is, as long as they get their daily exercise.
Health and grooming
Generally speaking, every mixed breed is healthier than their parent breeds. This applies to the Lab Hound Mix too. However, just because they are healthier than their parent breed, it doesn’t mean they aren’t susceptible to certain health issues. They can get any disease or illness their parent breeds have.
For example, Labs are known to have joint problems like elbow and hip dysplasia, and luxating patella.
Besides this, eye problems are very common too. Such as cataracts, conditions that affect the retina and cornea, and blindness.
Hounds are prone to bloating and cancer. So you should look out for that too. Back problems are quite common too, as well as blindness, hypothyroidism, and obesity. You should also watch out for skin allergies.
When it comes to grooming we said that this designer dog has short fur. They are also moderate shedders. This means that they are low-maintenance. But, you should set up a grooming routine. Generally speaking, you should brush their coat every other day. This way you’ll keep their fur looking healthy and shiny.
It’s also important to brush their teeth regularly and take them to the vet for teeth cleaning. You can also check out our article “How to clean dog teeth without brushing?” for more tips on cleaning your dog’s teeth.
Regular checkups at the vet office are a must too if you want them to be healthy and live a long life. Their life expectancy is between 12 and 13 years. But you can help them live even longer is you take good care of them.