Two of America’s Favorites in One Perfect Pup: The German Shepherd Labrador Mix

Understanding the average cost of each of the parent breeds will help us determine a fair price to pay for the Sheprador. For example, German Shepherds may cost anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to about a thousand dollars, based on pedigree. The same goes for Labrador Retrievers.

However, an extra consideration must be taken when it comes to the cost of hybrid breeds. Ultimately, the price you can expect to pay will depend on if your Sheprador is a first or later generation. So what exactly does this mean?

First generation puppies come from a purebred Labrador and a purebred German Shepherd. A second generation puppy comes from a Sheprador mated with a Sheprador. Later generations follow the same pattern. And as generations increase, so do prices!

This is also a good time to point out that while predicting what your puppy will like is nearly impossible in terms of a first generation puppy, later generations have less variability. For example, a first generation Sheprador may have the soft, floppy ears of the Labrador. But they may have the sharply pointer, alert ears of the German Shepherd. They may even have one of each! It all depends on how the genes combine.

Same goes for coat color. Your Sheprador may have the classic Sable coat of a German Shepherd, or a variation depending on the Lab parent’s coat - chocolate, yellow, black, and even silver are possibilities.

But, second and later generations are more predictable because they have less gene variability. If you want your German Shepherd Lab Mix to look a certain way, we recommend finding a later generation that has the appearance you prefer.

Like we have reiterated many times throughout this article, we believe that the German Shepherd Labrador Mix is the perfect dog for a family. Though we usually would not recommend large, highly energetic dogs for first time dog owners, we believe that the Sheprador is an exception. As long as the new owners are committed to dedicating at least an hour a day to accommodating their dog’s exercise and stimulation needs, everything should work out!

German Shepherd Labrador Mixes are pretty chill and easy to care for. But like any dog, they do need proper socialization and behavioral training from a young age in order to thrive. The best way to achieve this is by introducing your Sheprador to many people, places, and things as soon as you bring the puppy home. For example, taking your pup around other dogs will help them learn that other animals represent an opportunity for fun and is nothing to be feared. Also, introducing your pup to loud noises like car horns in a positive way will help them to have no fear during thunderstorms, etc. And perhaps most importantly, introducing your Sheprador to a variety of folks - tall people, men in hats, children of all ages - from puppyhood is helpful to bring out their best traits and keep them from developing any aggression.

And like we have mentioned, they are pretty high energy. German Shepherd Lab Mixes love to be outside, will jump at the chance to play in water, and have a strong desire for a job. Sometimes, they are happy with a job that consists of being your pal and cuddling up at your feet. But like any dog, they do need daily walks and play time to remain well behaved and satisfied. Unfortunately, if you cannot commit to their needs, you may come home to a shredded sofa! So while Shepradors are an ideal dog for anyone, we recommend at least hiring a dog walker if you are gone for long periods of time.

First, let’s talk about food! Like us, Shepradors love food and appreciate a wide variety of flavors and textures. Unfortunately, this sometimes includes things that you would rather them not taste! Shepradors love to chew, especially when they are puppies.

To avoid destructive chewing, be sure to provide your new puppy with plenty of healthy and safe chew toys - bonus points if they fight tartar like these fun toys do! This is also a great time to mention treats. Small food rewards are a great tool to use while training your Sheprador to obey basic commands. Labradors are highly food motivated so this technique works exceptionally well for this designer breed. But it is important to account for the extra calories contained in the treats when you are considering your dog’s daily nutrition needs.

Most large, active dogs should consume about 30 calories per pound of weight each day. When you bring your Sheprador puppy home, it is best to feed them 4-5 small meals a day to avoid stretching their tummies as they are still growing. However, at maturity, you can start feeding them twice a day instead. We recommend against feeding your dog just once a day. Both parent breeds are prone to Bloat - a potentially deadly condition that causes their stomachs to swell and twist, cutting off the blood supply. Because of this, it is best to avoid filling your Shepradors stomach too full, which is a risk factor for developing the condition.

Aside from these recommendations, we suggest choosing the highest quality food you can afford and following the feeding directions for your dog’s size. On average, female German Shepherd Labrador Mixes will weigh between 35-50 pounds and require about 1200 calories per day. However, males are larger, weighing between 50-90 pounds and require about 2000 calories depending on their daily energy expenditures.

Like we mentioned earlier, Labradors are highly food motivated and will jump at the chance to eat anything you offer them. This includes food left on the uncleared table after dinner, and even trash! So just be careful and make sure your pup does not get into anything that is not meant for him.

Sadly because of this trait, Labs are prone to obesity - which leads into our next topic: health considerations. A 2018 study found that Labradors actually have a gene mutation that causes them to be absolutely obsessed with food. And suddenly, Lab owners everywhere experienced a light bulb moment - it all makes sense now! Of course, Shepradors are also prone to obesity. But fortunately, this is an easy health complication to control. Simply keep a watchful eye on how much you feed your pup and all will be well.

Like we have already discussed, Gastric Dilation Volvulus, commonly known as Bloat, is a dangerous condition that develops quickly and is seen in both German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers. Thankfully, like obesity, Bloat is pretty easy to avoid. Simply make sure your dog does not eat too much too fast and you will have nothing to worry about.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia is a condition that causes malformation of your dog’s bones and joints, resulting in pain and inflammation. It is pretty common to large breeds and you should obtain hip and elbow scores on your puppies parents before purchasing. Reputable breeders will have these test results readily available and will be happy to show you! If both parents are in good shape, your Sheprador will be too.

These are the most common health issues that you may encounter with a German Shepherd Labrador Mix. And though they can progress into serious problems, they are completely avoidable for the most part!

Our best advice for raising a healthy Sheprador is making sure your puppy receives all their shots and stays up to date on annual check ups. Monthly preventative medications will guard them against deadly heartworms, ticks, fleas, and parasites so these are important too! If you have any questions, be sure to ask your veterinarian.

Unlike some of the super popular designer breeds, like the Mini Goldendoodle for example, Shepradors do not have strenuous grooming requirements. No special haircuts to keep up with and that is a major plus in our book! However, these guys obviously shed - a lot. Both German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are high-shedding dogs, which is unfortunate for allergy sufferers. While there are special brushes that help keep this trait under control, no matter what you do, there will always be dog hair sprinkled around like glitter.

When it comes to keeping these rambunctious pups clean, less is more. Bathing them too often will strip their skin and fur of natural oils that protect them and keep their coats healthy. You can avoid this by only bathing them every couple of months and spot cleaning in between. Playing in the rain and rolling in the mud? It is probably a good time for a full bath. But if you are just taking them for a run on a dirt path, simply wipe them clean with a wet cloth. Your Sheprador’s skin will thank you!

Also, do not forget to keep up with nail trimmings and teeth brushing. These can be intimidating tasks, but if you start from puppyhood your Sheprador will be more comfortable with the routine. If you still have trouble, your vet will be happy to help you.

Now that we have come to the end of our extensive breed guide, we hope we were successful in showing you just how wonderful the Sheprador is. These dogs are large, energetic, and need space to roam.

They adore children and love to play. But at the end of a long day, they want nothing more than to cuddle up at your feet. They don’t like being alone for long periods, so you may need to invest in a dog walker. But trust us, bring the German Shepherd Labrador Mix into your life will be well worth it!

Do you have a Sheprador? Let us know in the comments!

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