Labollie Basics

The Labollie is the hybrid of two of the most loyal and loving dog breeds you will ever find; the Labrador Retriever and the Collie. Each is known for being highly intelligent and for having a patient, gentle personality that ultimately resulted in their hybrid – the Labollie – being a wonderful family pet. Not only is he highly social with a keen-to-please personality, but he’s easy to train and a great companion whether you’re out on a hike or just sitting on the couch

The Labollie is a hybrid mix of the Labrador Retriever and the Collie.

Origin

While this hybrid’s origins are tough to pin down, the Labollie’s popularity has grown tremendously in recent years – likely due to his family-friendly nature and ease of care. His lineage does hail from two well-established breeds; the Collie which originated in the Scottish Highlands back in the 1800s and the Labrador retriever that dates back to early 19th century Newfoundland in Canada.

Pedigree

Because this dog is considered a hybrid or mixed breed, the Labollie is not included in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) roster of purebred dogs, however both the Labrador retriever and Collie have been members for a century plus! The Collie joined the AKC pack back in 1885 under the “herding” group and is today described as graceful, devoted and proud. In 2017, the Labrador retriever marks his 100th year as a member of the exclusive AKC and is classed under the “sporting” group label where he is described as friendly, active and outgoing.

Because this dog is considered a hybrid or mixed breed, the Labollie is not included in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) roster of purebred dogs.

Food / Diet

As a medium-sized dog, the Labollie will require 2-2.5 cups of a top quality dry food that can be fed to him throughout the day. Because Labrador retrievers can tend to over-eat and become obese, free-feeding of any breed that is crossed with a lab should be controlled. AKC recommends that food types should be geared specifically to the size, weight, age and activity level of your dog and that pet parents be wary of fillers such as carbohydrates and grains that will cause him to eat more in order to feel full. Opt for ingredients that indicate “meat” as a first ingredient and because he may be prone to hip dysplasia and joint issues, foods that include glucosamine are a good option.

The Labollie is an ideal family pet who learns quickly and loves to be included in all family activities.

Training

The Labollie is highly intelligent, super obedient and has a keen-to-please personality that means he is remarkably easy to train. Because he is such a smart cookie, he will learn fairly quickly and with few repetitions required. A consistent, rewards-based approach to training is important, with lots of praise for a job well done.

Weight

The Labollie is a medium sized breed and when fully grown, he will weight 50-70 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

The Labollie can be described as loving, affectionate, intelligent and playful. He is an ideal family pet who learns quickly and loves to be included in all family activities. Because he comes from two breeds of dog that love to be kept busy with “jobs”, this boy will appreciate being kept engaged and active.

Common Health Problems

Labollie’s are generally quite healthy and not known to suffer from specific ailments however prospective pet parents should always check out their dog’s lineage to learn about potential health issues. For example, both the Labrador retriever and the Collie can suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia. The Collie can also develop a condition known as “Collie Eye Anomaly” which is congenital and in a worse-case scenario, can result in blindness. It never hurts to have a veterinarian who specializes in ocular diseases, be included in your pet’s health care regimen.

Life Expectancy

The Labollie has a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years.

Exercise Requirements

While both Collies and Labrador retrievers can be very athletic with tremendous endurance, the Labollie is somewhat less energetic which makes him a great fit for those who love both breeds but cannot devote the time necessary to meet their more rigorous exercise needs. Because the Labollie’s lineage includes sporting and herding, active play that includes swimming, fetching a ball, or catching a Frisbee is the perfect complement to regular daily walks.

The Labollie can be described as loving, affectionate, intelligent and playful.

Recognized Clubs

While his hybrid-breed status means the Labollie is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, he is a member of the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA).

Coat

A Labollie will often take on the longer hair of the Collie versus the Lab’s shorter coat and while many may think this means a high maintenance dog, that’s not the case. The Labollie has the same double-coat that his parents do and this means a soft, waterproof undercoat that helps to insulate and protect him as well as a coarser top coat. They are considered moderate shedders and weekly brushing should be sufficient to keep it in check if done on a regular basis. As with most dogs, they typically shed for 2-4 weeks in the spring (to lose their heavy winter coat) and again in the fall.

Puppies

Labollie pups can take after their grown parents in that Labrador retrievers are known to eat everything in sight and both Labs and Collies can suffer from joint issues. As a result, care should be taken to ensure your Labollie pup does not have access to non-food items (he’ll eat them!) and that he is not over-exerted for fear of triggering joint issues. Monitor his meals, his exercise and his behaviors and be prepared to consult your vet if he loses his appetite or appears lame.