Lab'Aire

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.

Origin
Canada <> Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation
Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Lab'Aire

Nothing describes the Lab'Aire better than an intelligent, protective and friendly little dog that always seems to behave with great confidence. These hybrids are a blend of the Labrador Retriever and the Airedale Terrier, two medium-sized, heavily built breeds. Although the history of these hybrids remains somewhat murky, it can be assumed that the breed has only recently appeared, probably within the last 15 to 20 years. These breeds are considered medium maintenance and are seasonal shedders. Due to the history of their parent breed and the density of their coat, it can be assumed that the breed does best in colder climates. They often do well in homes and family environments, but need to be supervised when with children.

History of the Lab'Aire

The hybrid's history remains something of a mystery, as the breed only recently emerged as a hybrid, probably in the 2000s.

 

        

A little of the Labrador Retriever

        
The Labrador Retriever is a breed that was used as a sporting dog to help hunters fetch game or hunt prey. The breed originated in St. John's, Newfoundland, a province of Canada. There, this powerful canine assisted fishermen with their nets in the cold sea. In the 1800s, many of the breed's animals were shipped to England where they were used to assist wealthy hunters, effectively saving them from extinction, their fate in Newfoundland. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1917 as a sporting breed. This friendly breed currently ranks as the most popular dog breed in the United States.
Standard of the Labrador Retriever

A little of the Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier originates from the county of Yorkshire in Great Britain. It is said to owe its name to the Airedale Show. At this show, many "riverside terriers" from the Wharfe, Calder and Aire river valleys were exhibited, resulting in a large number of entries. This is the largest of the terriers, encompassing all the characteristics of this group of dogs; it is also known as the King of Terriers. The Airedale has a remarkable sense of smell and has been used in Africa, India and Canada for research. It has also been a Red Cross auxiliary in wartime and used as a police and military dog in the British and Russian armies.
Standard of the Airedale Terrier

Appearance of the Lab'Aire

The Lab'Aire is a medium to large hybrid with a very strongly built, strong and muscular body. These breeds can often weigh from 22.5 to 36 kilos, and stand up to 61 centimeters tall. From the head up, the breed has a broad, flat skull, a medium to long muzzle and powerful jaws. Their eyes are almost almond-shaped and tend to have a very powerful sparkle. Ears are mostly set slightly high and semi-pricked. Legs, for the most part, are long but stocky, while their chest tends to be broad. These hybrids often have short, dense coats that feel wiry and rough to the touch. If the breed has more of a Labrador appearance, the coat can be considered water-repellent. The coat tends to be concentrated mainly towards the ends of the muzzle, giving the hybrid a classic "bearded" appearance.

Temperament of the Lab'Aire

Happy, outgoing, intelligent and protective, these hybrids are the absolute love bugs of the canine world, and tend to be very loyal and affectionate towards their family members. These breeds often make excellent pets, but do best with older children as they are a little talkative when playing. The Lab'Aire can have a moderate to high hunting drive and will enjoy chasing squirrels and small animals around the yard, however, if raised and socialized with other pets at a young age, it can be very affectionate towards them. These hybrids are not guard dogs; they won't attack strangers. On the contrary, they make excellent watchdogs, barking only when a stranger is near.

Needs and activities of the Lab'Aire

The Labrador Retriever and Airedale Terrier are medium to high-energy dogs. As such, we can assume that their hybrid, the Lab'Aire, will fall somewhere in the middle as an energetic dog. These hybrids tend to require a minimum of 60 minutes of activity and playtime per day. Owners can choose to meet the required activity levels through their dog's favorite games. Some interesting activities to include in your dog's life include agility training, swimming, retrieving, running, hiking and regular lap training to avoid boredom. Hybrids that are not properly exercised and left alone for too long can become bored and are likely to display destructive behavior to cope with the lack of mental stimulation.

Maintenance of the Lab'Aire

The Lab'Aire is a medium- to low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. Hybrids are considered non-hypoallergenic, low-slobber and seasonal shedders. As these hybrids tend to have dense, stiff coats, owners are strongly advised to brush their hybrids with a bristle brush or smooth brush to remove debris or loose fur. Bathing should be done as needed, and often owners can get away with simply wiping their hybrid with a damp cloth. Other important maintenance requirements include regular nail trimming if the nails are not worn down by play. Teeth should be brushed with pet toothpaste at least once a week, and ears checked and cleaned every 6 to 12 weeks.

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