When we breed an Australian Cattle dog, also known as a Blue Heeler or Red Heeler, with a Labrador Retriever, we get a Lab and Cattle Dog Mix, which is an adorable and friendly dog. This breed combines the friendly nature of a Labrador with the stubbornness of a Heeler.
Genetic Background
Labrador Retriever
In the 18th century, the Labrador Retriever emerged as a water-breed dog in Canada. Fishermen cherished them because they could assist on boats with fishermen and even help catch fallen fish by jumping into the water.
Australian Cattle
The history of Cattle dogs goes back to the 19th century when many people in Australia were looking for a breed that could help in herding and rounding up livestock. The need for herding breeds was also in the United States, so Australian Cattle dogs were transformed through the Pacific Ocean, and soon, they were commonly found in American farms.
Overview of Lab and Cattle Dog Mix
Cattle dogs are commonly known as good herding dogs and can withstand hot and warm weather. They also have many stories of being strong dogs. The Labrador Retriever is a commonly found and popular dog famous for being great at healing people and is also a service dog.
The result of mixing true breeds can be unexpected or unpredictable, but once you get to know them, you will understand their whole personality. Lab and Cattle Dog Mix is a strong, energetic, and loveable dog that will make it impossible for you to ignore him.
Appearance
Size
There is a particular size difference between male and female Lab and Cattle Dog Mix that can be explained as:
MALE Lab and Cattle Dog Mix
Height: 15 to 25 inches
Weight: 15 to 35 kg
FEMALE Lab and Cattle Dog Mix
Height: 17 to 24 inches
Weight: 12 to 32 kg
Looks
The Lab and Cattle Dog Mix has a muscular body that represents the fitness and vigorousness of both parent breeds, the Australian Cattle and the Labrador Retriever. This breed has almond-shaped eyes that can be blue, hazel, or green. The nose is generally black but can also be brown.
The ears of Lab and Cattle Dog Mix depend on whose parent genes are more prominent; they can be pointy like a Cattle dog or floppy like a Labrador.
Coat
A Lab and Cattle Dog Mix is a medium—to large-sized dog whose parent breeds have different appearances and coats. A Labrador’s coat is short and double-coated in yellow, chocolate, or black fur, and a Lab and Cattle Dog Mix will most likely have a double coat with blue, red, or cream marks like Heelers.
Temperament and Personality
Friendly and Loving
When you adopt a Lab and Cattle Dog Mix, you can surely expect a good outcome. This breed’s parents are known for their friendly, loving, and laid-back nature. They have pleasing personalities and are always busy finding ways to entertain you.
Intelligent and Smart
Inheriting the traits of his parents, the Lab and Cattle Dog Mix is a very smart and intelligent breed. He quickly understands any command, making it easy for you to train him. They are naturally curious, and you can use this to your benefit in training.
Protective
Lab and Cattle Dog Mix is very protective of his territory and will defend it with all his might. He may act unfriendly towards strangers, but by this, he doesn’t get the wrong idea; he is very loving and loyal towards his people.
Once you create a special bond with your Lab Cattle dog, nothing can break it; he will follow you to the end of the world.
Active Dog
As both the parent breeds are working dogs and are very active, the Lab and Cattle Dog Mix is also a highly active dog who loves to run around and play with his owner. That is why he needs physical and mental stimulation to keep him busy. If you don’t provide him with something to keep him engaged, he’ll start destructive behavior you won’t like.
Grooming and Hygiene Care
We know that both the parent breeds are double-coated, so you can expect a lot of shedding from Lab and Cattle Dog Mix; that is why you need to pay extra attention to his grooming and hygiene care. This plays a vital role in a dog’s health and helps indicate their health within.
For starters, you must groom his coat regularly, as it helps remove loose hair and distribute the skin’s natural oils. Also, during shedding season, make sure to brush his hair daily.
For hygiene care, make sure you follow these steps:
• Bath only once a month, as frequent bathing can rip off the skin’s natural oils.
• Trim his nails every week.
• Clean his ears regularly and check for any infection.
• Daily clean his eye boogers with a cotton pad.
• Brush his teeth daily to prevent gum infections.
Health Problems and Dietary Needs
Some common health conditions that a Lab and Cattle Dog Mix may suffer from are mentioned below:
1. Hip Dysplasia
2. Elbow Dysplasia
3. Lymphoma
4. Muscular Dystrophy
5. Hearing Loss
Dietary Food
You can prevent many diseases and keep your dog healthy by feeding him good food; this is one of the best ways to help your dog lead a healthy life. You need to give your dog food that is perfectly balanced, full of supplements and fulfills your dog’s nutritional deficiencies.
While feeding him, remember that there is a certain limit to the amount of dry food you can give your dog in a day. Feeding him more than he needs will result in obesity, making your Lab and Cattle Dog Mix slow and prone to many other diseases.
This medium-to-large breed is prone to hip dysplasia, so you don’t want it to suffer. Also, buy the best dry food for your dog, and don’t give him food from cheap stores; it causes many kidney and liver disorders.
How much food you should give your dog in a day depends on factors such as the metabolism, size, and age. If you have a medium or large dog, like a Lab and Cattle Dog Mix, give him two to three big or three small meals daily.
Exercise and Training
Early Socialization
One thing you need to remember after adopting a dog is to train him at an early age. If you wait for the right time, you will not be able to train him at all, and he will start misbehaving.
One of the first things you need to teach him is early socialization. You can begin the training by slowly making him experience different people and environments. This helps make your dog an all-rounder. He will not be shy around other people and will be comfortable with them.
Also, take him on a walk with a leash to make him meet the neighbors and get to know them.
Environmental Requirement
If you can fulfill the requirements of a Lab and Cattle Dog Mix, give him an environment where he can spare his naturally high energy and goofiness. It is in his nature to herd and chase; you can’t change him or stop him from doing so.
You must provide him with natural activities to keep him busy, preserve his high energy, and prevent boredom.
Easy to Train
The Lab and Cattle Dog Mix is a willful dog who loves his owner, so it is easy to train him. You can use this opportunity to train him by giving him different commands, starting slowly with short commands such as sit, roll, or high five.
You can also boost his intelligence by hiding dog food in different parts of the house and making him find them.
Positive Reinforcement
Lab and Cattle Dog Mix is naturally curious and gets distracted easily. To encourage him during training sessions, use positive reinforcements such as treats to promote good behavior and keep them interested. They can be stubborn sometimes, but don’t punish them; it only encourages bad behavior.
Canine Sports
We know that the Lab and Cattle Dog Mix wants to spend most of his time with his owner. You can play different sports with your dog, and in this way, your dog can fulfill his daily exercise quota and also get to spend time with you, killing two birds with one stone.
Canine sports like walking, jogging, hiking, and fetch help keep dogs busy and fulfill their exercise requirements.
Final Words
Lab and Cattle Dog Mix is a perfect family dog. Its nature is loyal and protective, and you can expect a companion dog for your family and kids. They also work as protectors for you and your children. Lab and Cattle Dog Mix is your friend if you want a dog that will keep you busy and always be with you.
Cattle dogs are known for their herding skills, so you can keep them on your farms and get help with herding cattle. They were specifically bred for this purpose and were given the name “Cattle Dogs.”
