What You Should Know Before Adopting a Pitbull Lab Mix

Adopting a new dog is always a wonderful time, but there are pitfalls and problems that can crop up along the way. It's important to have some idea of what you're getting into, and I'm not just talking about the challenges of a new puppy.

Different breeds of dogs have different inclinations, and that can color the experiences you have in adopting and raising them.

It's important to know that these breed inclinations are not always going to be true. Pitbulls have a bad rap as violent dogs, but that's as much exaggeration and (poor) training as it is anything to do with the breed's inherent characteristics. They're one of the biggest examples of a dog where the expectations and the reality can be very different.

So, if you're considering adopting a pitbull-lab mix, what should you know, and how can you prepare for the unique challenges you might face?

What is the History of Pitbull-Lab Mix Dogs?

Pitbull-Labs, also known by names like Pitadors or Labrabulls, are a mixed breed that is more and more popular with every passing year. They're loyal, friendly, and charming, and they've quickly won over the hearts of dog parents everywhere.

About the Pitbull

Pitbulls are a breed of Terrier, a combination breed themselves, as a cross between the Staffordshire Terrier and the American Bulldog. Centuries ago, they were bred to be large, strong dogs and trained to bait bears, bulls, and other extremely strong animals.

They lost their purpose when animal baiting was outlawed, so they were then mixed with more agile and smaller dogs for fighting one another, helping out on farms, or as guard dogs. They are prized for their strength and loyalty.

About the Labrador

Labs, or Labrador Retrievers, were a breed created as hunting companions. Hunters would shoot game like fish and fowl, and the dog would go get it. They're extremely friendly, smart, curious, and loving, and their keen sense of smell puts them ahead of even other dogs.

Labs today are still used as hunting dogs but are also commonly seen as dogs trained to detect explosives, for search and rescue, and as friendly and sweet therapy dogs. They love to be lap dogs, even if they're often a little large to do so comfortably.

About the Pitador

The Pitador, or lab-pit mix, was created in the 90s as a sort of designer dog. The goal was to mix the most desirable traits of both; making a pit friendlier or making a lab more effective as a guard dog, that sort of thing.

It's worth mentioning that, as a designer dog, the American Kennel Club doesn't recognize Pitadors as an official breed. They're also not, generally speaking, a 50/50 mix of pitbull and lab; instead, most modern pitadors are the children of previous pitadors, and the exact mixture of pit and lab can vary.

Primary Breed Characteristics of Pitbull-Lab Mix Dogs

Despite different origins and temperaments, pitbulls and labs are actually fairly similar as far as dogs are concerned. They certainly share more in common than either breed does with dogs like chihuahuas, mastiffs, or corgis, right?

The Physical Characteristics

Pitbull-lab mix dogs are generally around two feet tall and can weigh somewhere between 40 and 90 pounds when they're fully mature. They're firmly mid-sized dogs and pretty close to the mental image you might have associated with the concept of a dog in general.

The coloration, eye color, and fur patterns can vary, depending on the mix of genetics making up the specific dog you're looking at. They can also have either floppy lab-like ears or shorter, more erect ears like their pitbull ancestors, depending on the dominant traits in their individual makeup.

Health and Wellness

Pitbulls are often longer-lived dogs and bring that length of life to their mixes. But, since they're an unrecognized designer breed, pitbull-lab mixes might have difficulty in tracing healthy lineages, and there are a few health issues that can crop up in pitadors that are worth knowing about.

Remember, these aren't guaranteed to happen to your dog. They're just some of the more common issues for the breed, and when you know about them ahead of time, you can watch for signs and be prepared to handle the issues if they occur.

• Epilepsy. Pit-lab mixes can be prone to seizures. As long as you can identify and remove triggers from their environment and give them medication as necessary, this is a manageable condition for most dogs.

• Hip dysplasia. One of the most common issues with this breed mix, hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joints that can cause them pain throughout their life, and arthritis when they reach old age. It's usually identifiable when the dog is young and can be treated through surgery to improve quality and length of life.

• Obesity. A lot of dogs are at risk of obesity, though pitbull-lab mixes are energetic enough that they may be able to exercise it off. They, like other breeds such as Great Danes, are also susceptible to bloat, which is potentially life-threatening.

• Skin problems. Pit-lab mix breeds are somewhat more prone to allergic dermatitis, which can be caused by a variety of different triggers, from certain pollen to ingredients in food. It's important to watch for signs of allergies and cut out the trigger as much as possible.

Fortunately, the most serious of these issues can be caught early and treated proactively, so as long as you know what to watch for, you can help ensure your pup has a long and happy life.

Mentality and Personality

As I already mentioned, pitbulls have a bad rap, and there are some people who view pitbull-lab mixes as a way to temper the "violent tendencies" of a pitbull with the outward friendliness of a lab. Of course, anyone who has spent time with a pitbull knows they can be some of the most charming and even-tempered dogs around, so this kind of cross-breeding wasn't actually necessary to combat bad stereotypes, but here we are.

Pitbull-lab dogs are extremely energetic. They love being outside, they love having tasks to accomplish, and if you have a way to train them as working dogs, they'll take to it like a fish takes to water.

They're also incredibly loving and loyal to their families. They may be initially skeptical of outsiders, and they can be somewhat defensive if they aren't frequently socialized, but that's an easy problem to solve as long as you anticipate it.

While a lot of people are hesitant to introduce pitbull-type dogs to other dogs for fear of aggression, pitbull labs generally aren't going to cause these kinds of issues. They're very sociable and friendly as a rule.

If anything, their high energy levels mean they can be a little too forward. They want to make friends and play, often long past the point where their companions are all tuckered out. Sometimes, other dogs can interpret this as aggression and get defensive, and the occasional altercation can occur.

The biggest risk is that, because of those energy levels, pitbull-lab mix dogs need to be kept engaged and busy. I don't mean just mindlessly playing fetch, either. They want more cognitive challenges to really keep them hooked. They're one of the "problem breeds" when it comes to things like night barking because they're bored. When they're bored, they can also end up destructive just in search of stimulation, and in rare cases, can even end up aggressive because of it. A fight is better than nothing at all, in their minds.

Tips for Caring For a Pitbull-Lab Mix Dog

If you're ready to bring a new pitador puppy into your home, what should you do and keep in mind to make sure everything goes well?

Get the Right Food

Since pitbull labs are extremely energetic and love nothing more than to be on the run, you need to make sure you're giving them the best food you can.

Food full of filler is going to leave them struggling and can cause health issues down the line. You also need to make sure you're feeding them right, like with a slow feeder, to help prevent bloat. Your vet will likely have a good recommendation for food to give them to keep them healthy.

Know How to Tire Them Out

I already mentioned that something as simple as fetch is probably not going to be cognitively engaging enough for your pit-lab mix to really put their mind into it. While you definitely need some purely physical fitness like fetch or runs, you might also consider something like a small agility course to give them more engaging physical activity.

You can also double up on this with as much training as you can do. Pit-labs are eager to learn tricks and commands, and you can build up a library of so many behaviors people will be sure the pup understands you.

Don't forget a few in-home cognitive challenges, like puzzle feeders, to keep them from being too bored at home. A bored pitador is a potentially destructive pitador, after all.

If you have a hobby or career outside, where you can train them to help you work, they'll be very happy to join you as well.

Socialize Them Early and Often

To avoid the negative reputation of aggression, the key is great socialization. Your new pitador puppy should be socialized early and often, with both a variety of people and a variety of other dogs, and potentially other animals if you have cats or others in your home.

This is critical to avoid the most potential aggression later in life. A confident, well-socialized pit-lab mix is going to have a much easier time respecting the boundaries of other dogs and people, and the only potential issues you might have is if they get really, really bored or if something threatens a member of their family.

One nice thing about pitbull-labs is that they actually love water. This is not great when they find a muddy puddle or algae-covered pond, but it's very handy when it comes time to give them a bath. You won't have to try too hard to get them in the tub… and you might need to struggle to keep them out when you're bathing.

Establish Regular Vet Visits

This is common advice for any pet you bring into your home: make sure you're getting them regular, adequate medical care.

Fortunately, your pit-lab is likely to love hopping in the car and meeting new friends. Don't forget socialization with the vet!

Know the Warning Signs of Health Issues

The three most common issues you need to watch for with a pit-lab mix are epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and skin irritation.

Hip dysplasia warning signs include:

• Lameness or limping as they move around.

• Decreasing activity or range of motion.

• Signs of pain, especially when standing, running, or climbing.

• A bunny hopping gait.

Epilepsy warning signs include:

• Unsteady walking or loss of balance.

• Biting motions at nothing.

• Stiffening and collapsing or falling.

• Foam at the mouth.

• Dazed and confused looks.

• Falling unconscious suddenly.

• Shaking, jerking, or twitching.

Skin irritation warning signs include:

• Red, dry, and flakey skin.

• Scooting and scratching against surfaces.

• Hair loss and skin sores.

• Excessive licking.

• Chewing and biting at the skin.

If you see any of these warning signs, it's worth bringing up with your vet to make sure you catch the issue and treat it ASAP.

Adopt, Don't Shop

I always want to add this to any discussion of picking up a new puppy.

Across the country, our shelters are full, and many dogs are struggling. Always seek a dog to adopt rather than shopping with breeders. I'm certain you'll find a loving and loyal pit-lab somewhere to adopt if you're willing to look.

Do you have any questions about pit-lab mix dogs? Are you ready to adopt one, but you have some concerns? If so, be sure to let me know in the comments section down below!