The Doberman Lab mix is hybrid designer dog with a purebred Doberman Pinscher and a pedigree Labrador Retriever for parents. Known as the Doberdor, temperament traits and characteristics range a lot with the F1 mix. However, it’s likely that when a well-trained Doberman is crossed with a Lab, the resulting offspring will be intelligent, large dogs that have endless energy and a love for play. They all have tipped over ears, short coats and long muzzles. Their build is even and athletic, a sign of their strong working histories.
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Doberman and Labrador Histories
The Doberman Lab mix has a rich working history, specializing in two very different jobs.
The Labrador Retriever breed was first developed in Newfoundland, Canada. Where smaller water-fowl hunting dogs were mated with Newfoundlands to make the ultimate retrieving companion. Modern Labs are prized working dogs, service companions, therapy animals and of course family pets.
The Doberman Pinscher was first bred in Germany during the late 1800s as a protection dog.
To develop this type of dog, short-haired Shepherd-type dogs were bred with Rottweilers, black and tan terriers, and German Pinschers. The Doberman’s role today has expanded from his original use as a guard dog to search and rescue, agility and obedience competition, service and police work, tracking and hunting. Even military work!
What Do They Look Like?
Your Doberman Lab mix dog will be tall, lean and leggy. They have naturally floppy ears and long slim muzzles.
As their name suggests, chocolate Lab-Doberman puppies could come out chocolate brown, like their chocolate Lab parent, or they could come out looking more like a Doberman. There’s also the possibility that they could be some mix of both parents’ colors.
Generally, Doberdors are solid colored like the Lab, but they may be bicolored like the Doberman.
Labrador Doberman Mix Coats
Doberman Lab mix coats are all short, but some are thick like a Lab’s with an undercoat and others are more fine like the Doberman.
A dense double coat will require weekly brushing. But if he inherited the Doberman’s thin and shiny coat, then a Doberman Labrador mix would benefit from occasional grooming. You probably won’t know which until your pup is a little older.
Doberman Lab Mix Temperament
Because he is a hybrid dog, the Doberman Lab’s temperament can be hard to predict. His personality may more closely favor the Doberman or the Labrador’s temperament. Or it may be an equal mix of each parent…
You can increase the odds of a favorable temperament by breeding or selecting from parent stock whose personalities closely match what you’re looking for.
Doberman Pinschers have long been viewed as dangerous dogs. It’s thought that they aren’t suited for homes with children or small animals. This is due to the early Doberman’s sharpness and quickness to bite.
Fortunately, this “bite first, think later” temperament has been gradually gentled through generations of breeding. While most Dobermans are no longer bred with such aggression in mind, it’s important to note that every Doberman is different… Just like every other dog breed.
Some Dobermans may have a more severe temperament than others. Additionally, Dobermans do not take well to being caged for long periods of time. They do not do well with isolation at all.
Labradors also have a tendency to get bored and destructive if left alone for lengthy periods. These breeds are not advised if you work away from home during the day.
If you plan to get a Doberdor, you might like to have two of them. Or maybe another pet that you know your Doberman Lab mix gets along with.
Developing Personality Traits
It’s vitally important that you socialize your pup with other dogs, places, and humans. This is to help prevent territorial and/or aggressive behavior. It’s also important that you begin obedience training at as early of an age as possible.
You can’t know how they will turn out temperament wise, so all Doberman Lab mix pups should be given this thorough socialization. All of these precautions should help reduce their need to guard their property or family from people or other pets.
While most Labrador Retrievers aren’t particularly territorial, they tend to be excitable and can be a bit too “in your face” for some people’s liking.
As the Doberman Lab tends to be a good-sized dog, some people may find one that likes to jump a bit intimidating. For your guests’ as well as your own benefit, you may need to work on a Doberdor’s obedience training. Ideally so that he won’t jump and will sit when guests arrive and he’s not crated.
Since Labradors are, well, retrievers, a Doberman Lab mix may let his nose get him into trouble once he’s on a scent. Or once he spies something that resembles a bird or squirrel! A great recall is essential.
Until you have this a Doberman Lab mix would greatly benefit from a fenced-in yard. This way they can play, be trained and exercise risk free.
Doberman and Labrador Health
A few common canine ailments that are common across breeds. These include hip dysplasia, eye diseases, allergies, and skin irritations. However, hybrids like Doberman Labrador mixes may inherit the health conditions that are common in their parent breeds.
Doberman Lab mix dogs have the potential to inherit health conditions from either parent. Both the Doberman and Labrador mother or father should have great hip scores and be tested clear for Progressive Retinol Athrophy. There should also be no history of heart problems on the Doberman parent’s side of the family, and a clear test for von Willebrand’s Disease
Exercise requirements
Doberman Lab mix have a tendency to develop hip dysplasia coupled along with an energetic nature. You absolutely will need an exercise plan for one of these active and playful fur babies.
Exercise is especially important if your Doberman Lab takes after his Lab parent in the weight category, as he may easily gain too much weight without adequate exercise.
We recommend that you have time for at least one walk per day and plenty of room for your pooch to self-exercise when you’re gone and to play in when you’re home, be that in the house or a fenced-in yard.
Your pup will be even happier if he gets to stretch his legs at the dog park every so often!
Lifespan
Hybrid dogs generally have the same life expectancy as their parent breeds. So, the Doberman Lab mix has an estimated life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Doberman Lab Mix Puppies
Your Doberman Lab mix puppy should come from a breeder who prioritises health and temperament. You should be confident that they know you can handle a dog of either temperament, and ask you lots of questions about what you plan to do in terms of training and exercising your new puppy.
The best Doberman Lab mix breeders are open, honest and have ensured both parent dogs were fully health tested.
Should I get a Doberman Lab mix?
The good news is that you shouldn’t have to worry about a lot of grooming – even if a Doberdor has the double coat of its Lab parent, it will require weekly grooming, at most.
(paid link)You’ll be quite lucky in the grooming department if you find a Doberman Lab mix with the Doberman’s thin and shiny coat.
As with any dog, mixed or not, you must also be prepared to deal with any ailments that come with the breed or breeds, especially hip dysplasia and loss of eyesight, in this case. There are a host of other inherited conditions that a Doberman Lab mix may develop, so we also recommend genetic testing of breeding stock before you purchase a puppy.
Last but certainly not least, socialization and obedience training from a young age is necessary for Doberman Lab mixes, as they may inherit the Doberman’s guarding tendencies or the Lab’s over excitable nature. Both of these personality types can be handled with proper training.
The Labrador Site Founder
Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.
She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program
Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website
We got Chauncey at Pendleton humane society in Scottsbluff, NE in mid 70’s and we’re told he was a Rottweiler-lab cross. She was such a sweet dog. Took a few years to realize that she was Doberman-lab cross. She was so mild-mannered and wonderful companion for me and our 2 sons and oldest granddaughter. She was a good traveler and she chewed one shoe and NO more. She went everywhere with us except a few weddings and VietNam reunions. I had my g husband and son take her in r when she got so bad and couldn’t move or eat and drinkwalk or eat and drink. She didn’t have a quality of life.
She was over 16 years old. We loved her so much and she loved us.
ASa
I had a dobie for ten years, he was the sweetest, goofiest, cuddliest, intuitive and crazy intelligent dog ever. I have many friends in the dobie community, not one of the many dobie dogs I have met has been aggressive or quick to bite (so long as you’re not a squirrel!). Many of them are the sweetest gentlest family dogs, my boy was amazing with our next door neighbours autistic kid. They do have a mind of their own, need companionship and positive consistent training, if you want a dog that never questions you or tries to find shortcuts around commands or that on occasion will outsmart you or you don’t have much time to devote to them they are not for you, even as a crossbreed but if you have the time to devote to them they make the most loyal, loving and fun companions ever, you just have to survive the teenage phase!! Lol My handsome boy died earlier this year and it left such a huge hole in my life but so many funny and happy memories.
My daughter and son in law rescued a Lab/Doberman mix in Texas, Boone. He’s the sweetest dog ever. I’ve only ever had two dogs and they were both Labs. They’ve recently moved and are now living with my husband, myself and our Silver Lab. All was wonderful til last fall when Boone crossed our property and nipped/bit the neighbor. Nothing like this has ever happened in the two years they had him. We all chalked it up to the neighbor wearing a biking outfit, helmet, glasses and on his bike. There were other times this neighber was outdoors and Boone could have cared less. Last week Cody and Boone ran out the door when my husband got home from work and Boone ran straight across into the neighbor’s driveway and bit/nipped the neighnor again. Needless to say it was not a good turn out. He’s threatening to call animal control. We offered to hire a trainer come and work with Boone, us and him to try and figure out why it’s only him but he won’t budge. We are being forced to find a new home for Boone before he does call animal control and we are left with no options. We are just beyond broken hearted and have no idea why he has singled out this man and no one else. I can honestly say this breed is one of the sweetest breeds I have ever been around. Boone is so smart, playful, gets along with all types of other dogs, children, adults, loves to chase squirrels, chipmunks, birds. He absolutley loves to cuddle. I wish I could figure it out and convince the neighbor so I could keep Boone here with his fanily. 🙁
I am looking for a red Doberman Lab mix, Male, Preferably a puppy, but not essential
I’ve had my lad x doberman mix for most of his life (since he was 5 months) and what a journey it’s been I was his 5th owner at this point to and he’s experiences have haunted him to this day (issues with trusting other people and other dogs) I’ve tried to train it out of him but the best way I found him to experience other people and dogs himself and he’s still unsure but once he gets used to someone’s scent he’s their best friend! Would recommend this breed with the right training they are a good mix of the too like my lab x dob he’s fiercely loyal and protective and he’s extremely playful for a dog at 8
We have had labs, Springer spaniels and a German Shepard over the years but two years ago we got a lab Doberman cross at 10 weeks old. Wow what a dog. Love sponge good balance of bark at the front door and happy once we accept people into the house. But he is incredible smart. And trainable. But I have to say of all my dogs (I’m 57) has to be this dog. Nitro is incredible obedient. But with other dogs he is Alpha. But overall. We love him. Will are looking for a friend for Nitro. Anyone in Eastern Ontario [email protected]
Our red dobe lab mix was a rescue dog that I forbid my son to bring home. Guess what? She finally came here for a two week stay, 12 going on 13 years ago. She is a perfect mix with strong features from both breeds. Web feet to swim and boy does she love to dive in. I can’t imagine what life would have been without her. “Coco Baby” is her official name. I often forget she is a dog because she is so smart and of course I love her like one of my boys, sometimes even more…lol. I am not much for leaving comments on articles so this is my tribute, honoring this wonderful animal and giving kudos to anyone brave enough to love their pet as we do. Be Happy.
Happy indeed. Nice post.
We just lost our dobie lab mix, could not have asked for a better dog. He never met a stranger, loved everyone he met. I got him as a free to good home & it was the best thing I ever did. Buck was imperfectly perfect, his only flaw was he had separation anxiety. The door knobs were his enemy, he chewed both the front door & the one going to the garage because these were the ways we left the house. Other than that, never chewed anything. He was my cuddle bug, loved being hugged & loved on. He did have a bit of dominant streak, but was never a mean dog, just a little stubborn. A perfect mix of the doberman and lab personalities and a very handsome boy as well. Our hearts are still broken. How I’d love to find another Bucker Boo.
I lost my medical service dog, a Dobie/lab mix that showed up at the house. Trained him easily as mobility assist, and he went with me everywhere for 8 years. Died of lymphoma 5 years ago. Seems like yesterday. He was the perfect blend of companion and protector.
Found a Doberdor abandoned on the side of the road at 6 weeks old. Being a young 19 year old that has always wanted a large breed dog I took him in and he has quickly become the most loved member of my family. He was potty trained by 12 weeks and knows sit, stay, come, lay down, paw, and more by 16 weeks. Incredibly smart dog breed, definitely high energy and super sociable. Anyone that has the means to take care of this breed, I suggest getting one. You won’t regret it.
We have a almost 3 year old deep brown/black male doberlab. Very sweet and protectful of us and our house. He still needs to work on socialization with some types of dogs and playful with others. He was a rescue/adoption dog who was in shelter for approximately a week wedont know if he had siblings. He does have some anxiety issues with loud sounds. A very food motivated dog. We love “Groot” to death. He’s gone from 65 lbs to 88 lbs.
I had a Doberman / Lab cross for almost 14 years and would like to purchase another. Can anyone tell me where in Victoria can I buy one.
I have a 2 yr old female named Penny she looks like a purebred red doberman, our vet needs
to be reminded she is a mix. She has webbed feet and loves to swim. My grandchildren use her
for a pillow. She loves everyone and everything except groundhogs (She was bitten).
My dog of a life time was a labXdoberman mix. She lived to be14&1/2 years old . She was the smartest dog I ever trained out of training dogs for 64 years of training. She. was the best of both breeds. She was a large 83 lb dog with an excellent temperment. She earned the Schutzund 3 title. Went o on to be UNNER UP at the SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CHUTZHUND 3 CHAMPOIN SHIP..
Of all the collies, l. shepherds dobies and labs
, ,, she excelled them all.
We had a Dober/lab rescued at 9months lived till 10. He was smart loving and very clever he knew our conversations and he was like a man in the house so effectionate and loyal. A best pal he was fab with our children and kids who came to visit. He was aggressive to other dogs not all just some he often fought with the local boxer dogs, I believe he saw there faces as aggression. That was his only fault. He made friends with a local cat and let him be the boss and eat his food. We adopted to kittens after our cat passed and he salivated for the first two day then took on a parent roll and really took care of them. Bless him rest in peace Dis love you always best dog ever x
Where can I find me one?
We have a sweet 10 yr old female black doberdor. We rescued her at 4 months old & trained her our selves. She is the best dog we have ever had! Loyal, obedient, gentle & loving. Lots of puppy playfulness left in her!
Ww have a red doberman, chocolate lab mix who for sure is 13 but could be even older. She still plays like a pup. And has never tried to bite anyone. Very friendly. Lots of energy. Jumped out of my boyfriends chevy window, for a nice landing. Lol