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Labraheeler |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Canada <> Australia -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Labraheeler |
| A cross between the docile, easy-going Labrador Retriever and the intelligent, hard-working Australian Cattle Dog, the Labraheeler is a fine pet for an active household. They benefit from good training and socialization and wouldn't be happy if left alone at home during the day, preferring to stay outside and do things. With an excellent work ethic, these dogs can do well at just about anything they set their paw to. The Labraheeler's smiling face complements their intelligent eyes, and there's no doubt that they form a beautiful breed. Many will have triangular ears that fold back, although some retain the straight ears characteristic of the Australian Cattle Dog. The coat is short and typically brown and white or black and white, but can be composed of many different color combinations. |
History of the Labraheeler |
| The real beauty of the specific crossbreed dog movement is that any breed combination you can think of is possible. The Labrador Retriever and Australian Cattle Dog were probably first crossed within the last 30 years, although the first crossings have never been documented. Given that the two breeds are similar in size and not so dramatically different in appearance, a uniformity is already apparent in the newly-formed Labraheeler breed. |
A little of the Labrador Retriever |
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| Despite its name, the Labrador Retriever is not originally from Labrador, but is thought to have originated in Newfoundland. Most agree that its ancestor is the St. John's Water Dog, an extinct breed originally from Newfoundland and anecdotally more at home in the water than on land. Historically, the Labrador Retriever was used to hunt on both dry and wet land, making it a favorite of local fishermen. Of course, many still use the Labrador Retriever for this purpose today, although the breed has developed into a multitude of other disciplines. Labrador Retrievers can be seen as therapy dogs, guide dogs for the blind and even drug detectors at airports and ferry terminals. In fact, the Labrador Retriever is such a successful breed that it now features in the top ten list of popular dogs in many countries around the world. | ||
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| Standard of the Labrador Retriever | ||
A little of the Australian Cattle Dog |
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| The Australian Cattle Dog dates back to the early 19th century. At that time, a large number of English cattle breeders emigrated to Australia, and they soon found that their domestic breeding dogs were not adapted to the climate and were unable to work to high standards. The farmers worked hard to create a new breed that would suit their purposes and withstand the harsh Australian climate. They crossed a local Smooth Collie dog with an Aboriginal Dingo, resulting in a breed called Hall's Heelers. Over time, other breeds, such as the Australian Kelpie and Dalmatian, were added to the mix. Thus, in the late 1800s, the Australian Cattle Dog was created. This dog resembled a dingo, but was much tamer and behaved well with other animals. Initially, the breed was called the Australian Heeler and this name has stuck with them to this day. | ||
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| Standard of the Australian Cattle Dog |
Appearance of the Labraheeler |
| Both parent breeds have fairly well-muscled, solid bodies and are of medium size. The Labraheeler tends to have a broad forehead and well-separated eyes, with straight ears like its Australian Cattle Dog parent, or flexed to the sides of its face like its Labrador parent. Their eyes can be blue, green or brown, and represent a calm, intelligent expression. When fully grown at around one year of age, a Labraheeler will measure between 45 and 51 cm and weigh between 18 and 30 kg. The Labraheeler's fur is fairly short and straight and can come in a multitude of colors, including yellow, brown, blue, white, brindle and black. Many will have more than one color and will have spots and markings, making them quite distinctive from their Labrador relatives, who are only known for having one color of fur block each. |
Temperament of the Labraheeler |
| A true dog, the Labraheeler loves to run, be muddy and play games. They make great pets, provided owners have the time. Like their Labrador relatives, Labraheelers are renowned for their wise nature and will bond closely with their families, having no problem showing affection. Their loyalty to their families means they'd be willing to protect them, and could make good watchdogs. As long as they receive adequate socialization, they should take well to new people and other dogs, although it may take a few minutes to warm up. After a short time, they'll probably play with the newcomer as if they'd known each other all along. Although they are good with children, they need to be supervised, as they can get overexcited and play too loudly for toddlers. Although generally good with other dogs, the Labraheeler can treat some smaller pets as prey, so it's wise to keep an eye on them. |
Needs and activities of the Labraheeler |
| This hybrid breed is known for its wide range of skills, including police work, agility, hunting, guarding, jogging, tracking and search and rescue. These are active dogs that will need to stay busy all day long. They can also develop destructive behaviors if left unoccupied for long periods. These dogs are not a good choice for owners who can't commit to a lot of daily exercise, as they need to be active for at least 45 to 60 minutes a day. |
Maintenance of the Labraheeler |
| Although the Labrador Retriever sheds a lot, the Australian Cattle Dog's coat is easier to care for. Consequently, the Labraheeler is bred to be a cross between the two. Labrador Retrievers need to be brushed regularly, and washed from time to time too, as they like to play in the mud. Australian Cattle Dogs, on the other hand, should always be brushed regularly, although they shed much less. This breed should only be bathed when they need it. In addition to grooming, Labraheelers will need the same maintenance as all other breeds, such as teeth care, ear cleaning and nail trimming. To avoid unwanted dental problems, you should brush your dog's teeth every day if you can, or at least two to three times a week. You'll also want to avoid ear infections by wiping their ears weekly. Nails should be trimmed once or twice a month. |
English (United Kingdom)