Labrottie Basics
If you want a smart, affectionate dog whose primary concern is his family, you can’t go wrong with the stunning Labrottie. These mixed breed dogs are exceptionally loyal, family-oriented and make a perfect companion to a variety of owners. Whether you live in a house or in an apartment, have children or live alone, chances are that you’d find Labrottie an ideal pet. And, for this array of impressive qualities, he can thank his mom and dad. As a crossbreed, the Labrottie is the offspring of a purebred Rottweiler and a Labrador Retriever. Both of the parental breeds are known for their remarkable personalities and suitability for the role of family pets. Naturally, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree- which bodes great for the Labrottie.
The Labrottie also goes by a few other names: Rottwador, Rotten Lab or Rott’n Lab, Labweiler, and Rottador. These big, talented dogs are a lot of fun, and they are also protective and make great watchdogs and guard dogs. But they do require a lot of attention, and they can be tricky when it comes to training. So before you bring one of these cute dogs home with you, check out the information below to learn more about them.
The Labrottie is a cross between a purebred Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler.
Origin
Before they were called designer dogs, crossbreeds were considered to be just adorable mutts. But the clear line between purebred and mixed breed dogs became blurred in the 1980s, when an Australian breeder crossed a Lab and a Poodle intentionally and dubbed the litter of their puppies Labradoodle- creating a whole new breed. The desire to produce a hypoallergenic seeing eye dog set off a worldwide trend now known as designer dogs. Now, instead of being purely a product of accidental mating between purebreds, mixed breed dogs are intentionally made to create a new breed. Unfortunately, owing to the sheer number of hybrids, it’s virtually impossible to know the origin of each of the breeds, save for the few of the most popular ones.
The origin of the Labrottie remains unclear. It’s highly likely that the breed was first developed in the United States, sometime in the 1990s, the same as it is the case with the majority of other hybrids. Nevertheless, there’s no mystery about the breed itself- the purebred parents tell us everything we need to know about the Labrottie’s qualities.
Pedigree
The Labrottie is a cross between a purebred Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler. In the eyes of the American Kennel Club, as well as its international counterparts, this means that this hybrid doesn’t “qualify” to be a breed in its own right. The AKC doesn’t recognize the Labrottie, and, as a result, these crossbreed puppies can’t have official pedigree papers. But, even without the documents for the puppy, a reputable breeder could offer insight into your new pet’s family tree with pedigree papers of his parents. Ideally, you should meet the parents of the puppy, as that is the best way to see a glimpse into the young one’s future
In the case you got a Labrottie from a shelter or a rescue and don’t know much about their past, it’s enough to know that these crossbreeds stand to inherit a lot of great traits, both from the Rottweiler and the Lab. With training and socialization, you can be sure your new pet will have a marvelous character.
Food / Diet
You should feed your Labrottie a high quality canine-appropriate food that is packed with vital nutrients and natural ingredients. The way to achieve this is dry food for dogs, which is formulated to meet all of their needs. The kibble you choose should be suitable for their age (puppy, adult, senior) and size and activity level (blends for large breeds are a good fit). The next thing to do is to make sure you’re not overfeeding your Labrottie- even though they’re big, they shouldn’t pig out on a daily basis.
A good place to start is to follow the recommendations from the feeding guide printed out on the kibble bag. Be sure to split this amount into multiple feedings, such as two or three feedings per day, as this will help prevent bloat, which is common in Labrotties and could be the result of eating too much in a short amount of time.
If you are also planning on giving your pooch a high quality canned food for dogs, you should reduce the amount of dry food that you are providing. This will help prevent unwanted weight gain, especially since this breed loves to eat.
Labrotties are known for their affectionate and devoted personality.
Training
Overall, the Labrottie may not be suitable for first-time dog owners. One thing to keep in mind is that he could try to become the dominant dog in the house, so you will need to use your training sessions to establish yourself as the pack leader. If you are already experienced in training canines, you should find that the Labrottie isn’t too hard to work with. These smart dogs could pick up on things fairly quickly.
Also, the Labrottie can be protective, which means you will need to train him and socialize him to be welcoming of a variety of people and animals. The right training will also help him become comfortable with various situations so that he doesn’t act up.
It is best to use a positive approach when training your Labrottie, but you also want to be consistent and firm. Make it a point to encourage your pet and give him plenty of praise and rewards for good behavior. The earlier you start to train and socialize your dog, the more control you will be able to have over him.
Weight
A large to giant-sized breed, the Labrottie weighs between 70 and 115 pounds.
Temperament / Behavior
Labrotties are known for their affectionate and devoted personality. These family-oriented canines are docile and will often follow you all over the house in an effort to be near you and please you with some of their amusing behavior. However, this good behavior could turn into destructive behavior if you don’t give your dog the attention that he craves and requires. Therefore, this breed isn’t right for you if you aren’t home for extended periods of time, as that could result in separation anxiety.
Because these dogs can also be territorial and protective, they will not be welcoming of new pets and people until they get to know them. If you have kids or other pets, raising your Labrottie from puppyhood along with them will ensure they will all get along.
Common Health Problems
Like other hybrid canine breeds, the Labrottie might be prone to the health problems that affect its parent breeds. Even though there is no guarantee that your dog will develop any of these problems, and there is no way to predict an individual dog’s long-term health, being aware of the risks will help you recognize symptoms sooner rather than later.
Some of the conditions that the Labrottie may inherit include ear infections, allergies, cold tail, heart issues, bloat, bone cancer, joint dysplasia, eye problems, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, acute moist dermatitis, panosteitis, and osteochondritis dissecans.
Life Expectancy
The Labrottie has an average lifespan of 9 to 12 years.
Exercise Requirements
Because Labrotties are active dogs, you should take your pet on walks every day, as well as find other ways for him to get exercise. If you have a safe and enclosed backyard, you can certainly let your dog run around and play with toys, as well as play interactive games with you, off-leash. Trips to the dog park can also give your pooch the chance to have fun with other dogs, provided that he is socialized properly.
Labrotties are docile and will often follow you all over the house in an effort to be near you.
Recognized Clubs
The Labrottie is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is considered to be a hybrid breed. However, this breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Coat
A Labrottie’s double coat could be short to medium in length, and it will be smooth. Shedding will be moderate, and there could be seasonal shedding as well. If you brush your dog every other day, or at least weekly, you can help keep his coat healthy and clean.
Puppies
Labrottie puppies, like all puppies, need to be handled with gentleness and care so they won’t get hurt and so they’ll grow accustomed to interacting with people.
It’s important to properly socialize this breed from as early on as possible. Let your puppy meet people of all ages, including children, and set aside time during which your puppy can interact with other dogs and other animals. This will ensure that your little furry friend will grow up to be a confident adult with a welcoming personality.
Photo credit: eriklam/Bigstock
