German Shorthaired Lab

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 10-14 years
The German Shorthaired Lab is a hybrid breed comprised of the Labrador Retriever and the German Shorthaired Pointer. This breed is known to have several major health conditions that you need to be aware of. If you want a healthy pup, be sure to work with a reputable breeder who screens his or her pups.

Some of the major and secondary health conditions you need to be aware of include Von Willebrand’s Disease, cancer, heart problems, bloat, epilepsy, eye problems, joint dysplasia, ear infections, and skin problems.

Von Willebrand’s Disease is a blood disorder that is inherited from the pup’s parents. This condition occurs when there is a lack of proteins in the platelets which keeps the platelets from being able to clot properly.

Cancer is a cause for concern in many breeds of dogs and you need to have your German Shorthaired Lab screened regularly to ensure that he or she does not develop cancer. Since cancerous cells can show up anywhere, your pup could develop cancer in any region of the body. Proper screenings from your veterinarian will allow you and the vet to catch the warning signs early on.

Heart problems can range in severity from a small heart concern to heart disease or even heart failure. Similar to cancer, you need to make sure that your pup is screened regularly to identify any issues.

Did you know it is possible for your pup to have too much air in his or her stomach? It is called bloat and it can be fatal. Vets believe this condition occurs when a dog consumes food or water too quickly or they become too excited soon after eating. The air in the stomach causes it to expand and this can impair the function of the surrounding organs.

Epilepsy in dogs is a type of neurological disorder that causes seizures. Usually, this condition does not present itself until after your dog has reached the age of two, but can happen as early as six months. When your pup has a seizure, he or she may shake and may even lose consciousness.

Eye problems are another concern in your German Shorthaired Lab and can range from an infection that is treated with medication to cataracts in one or both of the eyes.

Another condition that affects many large dogs is joint dysplasia which can be quite painful. This condition can occur in either the hip joint or elbow joint and will lead to problems with the way your pup walks and stands.

German Shorthaired Labs have floppy ears which can make them more susceptible to having recurring ear infections. In fact, you should not be surprised if your pup develops ear infections from time to time. To help prevent ear infections, you should clean your pup’s ears at least once per week.

Lastly, your puppy may have skin problems, which can include hot spots, dry skin, or even skin allergies. It is important that you keep your eye on your pup’s skin and alert your vet if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

The German Shorthaired Lab has a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The German Shorthaired Lab is a well-balanced and well-mannered dog. You will find that the combination of the Labrador Retriever and the German Shorthaired Pointer makes for a wonderful dog with an even temper.

This breed is known to be confident and independent, but when it comes to his or her owner, the pup is quite submissive. You will find that your German Shorthaired Lab likes to take walks with you and play out in the yard. She is not reserved and is ready to have a good time.

This pup is social and very friendly, so you will have no problem when it comes to introducing him or her to new pets, and other people. Your new pup will be loyal and will stick by your side. It is therefore important that you do not leave him or her alone at home for too long as separation anxiety may set in.

Your German Shorthaired Lab will show you affection and will enjoy receiving it back from you as well. This pup needs to have a back yard or area to run around in. You will also need to take him or her on a walk at least twice per day.

Training comes easily and your German Shorthaired Lab puppy will listen to your commands with an eagerness to please. This breed does best with positive reinforcement when it comes to training.

Grooming

You will find that grooming your German Shorthaired Lab is easy and does not take a lot of time. Your pup’s coat only needs to be brushed a couple of times a week to remove any loose hairs.

A bath is not in order unless your pup smells bad or is very dirty. You should choose a shampoo for bath time that is mild, so it does not strip the oils from your pup’s fur.

You need to check your pup’s ears and clean them once a week as well as trim his or her nails approximately once a month.

Diet

Your German Shorthaired Lab will consume 2 1/2 cups to 3 cups of food per day. You should ideally split that amount into two meals offered at different times.

When it comes to the type of food your pup eats, make sure to choose a high quality brand that does not contain chemicals, fillers, and byproducts.
 

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Cost

A German Shorthaired Lab puppy will cost you anywhere between $450 and $1,600 depending on what the demand is in your area. You should work with a reputable breeder to ensure you bring a healthy pup home.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The German Shorthaired Lab is a wonderful choice for your home and your new pup will get along with children along with other pets. This breed is easy to care for and well mannered. This breed ranks a 1.5.

 

German Shorthaired Pointer

Labrador Retriever

German Wirehaired Pointer

Pointer