Labany Basics

The Labany is a sweet, gentle, sociable dog who loves to be included in all family activities. His energetic nature means he needs an owner with the time to take him on long walks or play dates that will help tire him out and a friendly disposition means he easily accepts other pets. He’s a bright boy who trains well and just loves to please his owner / family.

The Labany is a sweet, gentle, sociable dog who loves to be included in all family activities.

Origin

Although the origin of the first Labany is not known, the Labrador Retriever is a native of Canada, dating back to the 1880s while the Brittany spaniel originated in France at the turn of the last century. It’s possible that Labany breeders were seeking out the gentle, loyal disposition of the Labrador Retriever in a smaller scale that could meet the growing demand for smaller variations on medium- and large-sized dogs.

Pedigree

Because they are hybrids, the Labany is restricted from joining the elite American Kennel Club roster of pure bred dogs. That said, his parents are long-time members; the Labrador retriever joined the AKC’s “sporting” group back in 1917 and is described as an active, friendly and outgoing dog. The Brittany also joined AKC’s “sporting” group back in 1934 and is described as bright, fun-loving and upbeat.

Food/Diet

As a medium dog, the Labany will require a top quality dry food equivalent to 2.5 to 3 cups daily spread out over two feedings. Because of the potential for dry skin issues that come with the Brittany, consider adding fish oil to his diet or consult with your vet for recommendations.

The Labany’s energetic nature means he needs an owner with the time to take him on long walks or play dates.

Training

Labanys are a great dog to train. Their keen-to-please disposition and superior intelligence mean less repetition and a quicker training process. A tendency to be timid and sensitive means he does not respond well to harsh tones or scolding, so ensure training is always patient, encouraging and rewards-based to get the best results.

Weight

As with all hybrids, height, weight and appearance are influenced by which parent’s DNA is dominant. A Labany whose gene pool is primarily Brittany will be smaller, weighing closer to 30-40 pounds. For Labany’s more strongly influenced by the Labrador retriever, one can expect his weight to be closer to the 60 pound mark.

Temperament/Behavior

The Labany’s friendly personality and boundless energy make him a great fit for kids who are looking for a playmate. He happily fits in with other pets and his highly intelligent streak means he’s relatively easy to train and socialize. The Brittany side of his lineage makes for an agile, trusting dog while his Retriever side means he will always be up for a game of fetch.

The Labany happily fits in with other pets and his highly intelligent streak means he’s relatively easy to train and socialize.

Common Health Problems

Though health problems known to certain breeds can often bypass the hybrid offspring, it is important to do your homework to better understand your new pet’s potential medical issues. In the case of the Labany it means taking a good look at the health history of the Labrador retriever and Brittany. Labradors can be prone to hip or joint dysplasia, cataracts, epilepsy and diabetes. Brittanys can experience Seborrhea, ear infections and patella luxation in their knees.

Life Expectancy

The average life span of a Labany is 10 to 13 years.

Exercise Requirements

The Labany owner should expect to devote at least one hour a day to walking, running, hiking or playing with this very active dog in order to keep him physically fit and mentally stimulated. Engaging him in high-energy games such as fetch or play with other dogs are both great ways to break up the routine and help tire him out. Note that the Labany is a wanderer so be aware if a leash-free zone is in your plans!

AKC

As a hybrid, the Labany is not recognized by the American Kennel Club however he is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDK), the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) and the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA).

Coat

Labany’s are low to moderate shedders and depending on the individual dog, regular brushing can range from just a quick once-over a couple times per week to a necessary daily ritual. Typically they have a double coat with short, straight or wavy hair and most common colors include cream, white, black, brown, orange and chocolate. Because Brittanys can run into skin issues and ear infections, bathing of the Labany should be done only when needed but weekly cleaning of ears is recommended.

Puppies

Growing puppies require frequent meals – sometimes equaling as much as the kibble consumed by their adult counterparts. A Labany puppy can eat up to five 8-ounce servings of kibble each day, however because his Labrador retriever lineage can lean towards overeating and obesity, pups should never appear rotund and you should balance meals with frequent exercise and playtime sessions.

Photo credit: small fry/Flickr; Ana Fuentes/Flickr; MarjRemi/Flickr