Labrastaff

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

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

A brief presentation of the Labrastaff

The Labrastaff is a hybrid breed in which the Labrador Retriever is crossed with an American Staffordshire Terrier. Relatively new, there's little information available on the Labrastaff, and as a Labrastaff puppy will inherit traits from both parents, it's best to consider the characteristics of its parent breeds when trying to understand what the hybrid will ultimately look like. The Labrador Retriever is both strong and athletic, a dog of the breed will enjoy spending time with its humans, whether it's outdoor adventures or a trip to the grocery store. Loyal and intelligent, the American Staffordshire Terrier will be gentle with humans and patient with children. The hybrid combination of the two will be energetic, enthusiastic and eager to have fun.

History of the Labrastaff

The hybrid known as the Labrastaff is a new breed of dog with no detailed history. The two breeds that are bred to create the hybrid have a long history.

 

        

A little of the Labrador Retriever

        
Originally named St. John's Water Dog after the capital of Newfoundland in the 1700s, the Labrador Retriever proved useful to fishermen fishing with their nets. The breed was later named the Labrador Retriever after the Labrador Sea, where the breed developed. According to records, the Labrador Retriever arrived in England in the 1820s. Skilled at retrieving while hunting, the dogs achieved a high level of popularity. Unfortunately, strict government restrictions and tax laws led to the breed's extinction in Newfoundland. In the 1920s, Labrador Retrievers were brought to the United States, where the breed established a presence.
Standard of the Labrador Retriever

A little of the American Staffordshire Terrier

The ancestor of the modern American Staffordshire Terrier is thought to have been a mixture of the old Bulldog and Terrier, possibly a Fox or English Terrier. The first Staffordshire Terrier dogs were developed as bull baiters and fighters. These dogs were brought to the Americas and continued to fight and compete, while being bred to increase their size. In 1936, the American Kennel Club accepted the breed as Am Staff, although in 1972 the name was changed to Staffordshire Terrier Americain to show it as a breed distinct from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in England.
Standard of the American Staffordshire Terrier

Appearance of the Labrastaff

Although there isn't much information available on the appearance of the Labrastaff, we can consider the appearance of the hybrid's parent breeds. The Labrador Retriever's head will be broad and its body muscular and athletic. Strong jaws and a broad muzzle are typical of the Labrador Retriever, whose eyes may be brown, golden brown or hazel. Pendant-shaped ears hang from its head, and its tail will be thick at the base, then tapered at the tip, enabling it to help the dog swim. The American Staffordshire Terrier is generally well muscled and built close to the ground. The breed's dogs appear strong and stocky, with powerful jaws, broad chests and heavy necks. The breed's ears are set high on its head, and its eyes are dark and round. The breed is seen in all colors as well as a variety of markings such as masks, points, spots and patches. Your hybrid will probably be agile, with great strength and a powerful gait.

Temperament of the Labrastaff

The Labrastaff is a patient dog that enjoys spending time with its humans. The breed is very tolerant of small children, even when their ears are pulled or their tail is tugged, and will even allow children to dress them. They draw the line when it comes to food, and supervision must be ensured when children are around your dog while he's eating. Dogs of this breed don't like to spend long periods outdoors on their own, and if they get bored and lonely, they can get into trouble. Bright and loyal to its humans, the Labrastaff can also resemble the parent Staffordshire Terrier Americain, sometimes known as the “nanny” dog because of its patience with children. Dogs of this breed can do well as guard dogs, although early and consistent training is necessary. A people pleaser, your hybrid will be calm and gentle with people but can be aggressive towards other dogs. Care should be taken when introducing them, and socialization will be important.

Needs and activities of the Labrastaff

Activity requirements for the Labrastaff can be determined from those of its parents. Exercise is important for the Labrador Retriever's physical and mental health. Dogs of this breed love water and will enjoy exercise by swimming in a river or lake, as well as taking long walks or playing with humans. The Labrador Retriever loves to help and will do well as a service or therapy dog. The American Staffordshire Terrier is active and loves to dig. Having a job to do is ideal for a dog of the breed who will do well with task-oriented training and play, keeping him in good physical and mental health. Despite its activity and energy levels, the American Staffordshire Terrier won't need much outdoor space to run around. Your Labrastaff will also be enthusiastic and ready to play, so taking this hybrid as a pet means you'll need to keep him busy and mentally stimulated.

Maintenance of the Labrastaff

There's not a lot of information out there on Labrastaff maintenance, although you can consider the grooming requirements of its parent breeds to get an idea of what to expect. The grooming required for a Labrador Retriever is straightforward. He needs to be brushed daily to keep his moult under control, and bathed every few months. Dirt and bacteria can accumulate inside the American Staffordshire Terrier's ears and will be easy to maintain. Weekly brushing will remove dirt and excess hair and help keep its coat shiny. The breed can be stubborn when it comes to grooming, so brushing from an early age will help. Both breeds require regular tooth brushing to maintain long-term dental health, and nail trimming as needed. Based on these combined needs, your Labrastaff's maintenance requirements will depend on which parental genes prevail. However, you can expect to spend more time enjoying your Labrastaff than grooming it.

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