Great Pyrenees Lab Mix | Ultimate Guide
The Great Pyrenees Lab Mix (also known as Labrenees, Lapyrenees, or Pyrador), is a cross between the Great Pyrenees and a Labrador Retriever. These dogs are known for being intelligent, loyal, friendly, and protective.
A Pyrador’s appearance and personality are unpredictable as it may inherit traits from either or both parent breeds.
This article explains the appearance, breed characteristics, vital stats, history, personality, general health, care, and price of a Great Pyrenees Lab Mix.
Let’s get started!
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Great Pyrenees Lab Mix Appearance
The Great Pyrenees Lab Mix can look like anything between the Great Pyrenees and the Labrador.
- Head: Slightly broad and shaped like a wedge
- Muzzle: Wide and deep
- Nose: A dark, fleshy nose that may be black or brown
- Eyes: Medium-sized, any shade of brown or hazel
- Ears: Triangular and slightly long compared to most dogs; they generally flop down to their cheekbones
- Tails: Long and thick
- Coat: Thick and fluffy double coat; the coat texture is straight, and the length can vary from medium to long
- Color: Any shade of cream, white, black, yellow, grey, or brown
Size of Great Pyrenees Lab Mix
Both male and female Great Pyrenees Lab Mixes have a large size and high weight. Male Great Pyrenees Lab Mixes are a bit heavier in weight and larger in size than their female counterparts.
An average female Pyrador has a height of 23-27 inches and a weight of 70-90 pounds. On the other hand, an average male Great Pyrenees Lab Mix stands tall to reach 25-29 inches with a weight range of 80-100 pounds.
Vital Stats About Great Pyrenees Lab Mix
Let’s have a look at some vital stats of Pyrador:
Stats | Description |
Dog Breed Group | Hybrid dogs |
Purpose | Companionship, hunting |
Ancestors | Great Pyrenees, Labrador Retriever |
Average Height | Male: 25-29 inches Female: 23-27 inches |
Weight Range | Male: 80-100 pounds Female: 70-90 pounds |
Temperament | Intelligent, loyal, playful, energetic |
Other names | Labrenees, Lapyrenees, and Pyrelab |
Coat | Dense, medium to long, thick double coat |
Life Expectancy | 10 to 12 years |
History of Great Pyrenees Lab Mix
The Great Pyrenees Lab Mix is a relatively new designer breed. The date of its origin is unknown. Being a crossbreed, the Great Pyrenees Lab Mix is not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), even though both of its parents are members of the club. However, the Dog Registry of America Inc. (DRA) has listed Pyrador as a designer dog breed.
Both Labrador and Great Pyrenees are ancient breeds that can be traced back thousands of years ago. This incredible mix possesses many of each of its parent breed’s noble characteristics.
The Labrador Retriever is a friendly hunting dog that has been the most popular breed in the United States for nearly three decades. They were primarily bred to be hunting dogs and worked on the water collecting fish for their owners. Labs were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1917 as sporting dogs.
The Great Pyrenees is a big, strong dog used for guarding purposes. They originated as a flock-guarding dog in the Pyrenees Mountains of France. In 1933, the Great Pyrenees was recognized by the AKC and was entered into the Working Group. Currently, the AKC ranks this breed as the 66th most popular dog breed in the United States.
Great Pyrenees Lab Mix Personality
The Great Pyrenees Lab Mix is known for being smart, loyal, and protective. They’re an affectionate companion who can also be excellent watchdogs. However, their exact personality is unpredictable as they can inherit their temperament from both parent breeds. We can only make an educated guess as to what the puppies will act like.
Affectionate
The Great Pyrenees Lab Mix is a loving companion. It loves to spend time with its owners and tends to follow them around everywhere they go. If socialized properly in puppyhood, this breed makes a superb family dog.
Intelligent
The Great Pyrenees Lab Mixes are mostly smart and intelligent dogs, just like their Lab parents. They require a lot of mental stimulation to stay away from destructive activities.
Loyal
The Great Pyrenees Lab Mixes are fiercely loyal to their owner. They even get stressed if they don’t see their owners for long periods. Pyradors are always ready to rescue their owners in difficult situations. They inherit their flock protection heritage from their Great Pyrenees roots.
Watchdogs
The Great Pyrenees Lab Mix exhibits guarding tendencies and is a reliable watchdog. They are always alert and aware of their surroundings. These dogs take pride in protecting their family. If your Pyrador is more like a Great Pyrenees, it will also show territorial behavior toward outsiders or strangers.
Playful
These dogs are highly playful and enjoy playing and spending time with their human family. You will need to give them a lot of regular playtime and exercise.
Friendly with Kids
The Great Pyrenees Lab Mix is generally friendly with children. However, they are large and can be very enthusiastic like Labrador. It is recommended to supervise all their interactions with smaller children.
Friendly with Other Dogs and Pets
Pyradors are non-aggressive and have great canine social skills. They are dog-friendly and can adjust well to living with other pets. Some Pyradors tend to herd or chase after cats, or other small animals. This could make them hard to keep in a multi-pet household.
Not all Pyradors have the temperament that we described above. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up each of the dog breeds in the cross. Keep in mind that you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either parent breed.
If socialized properly in puppyhood, Pyradors make a superb family dog.
Major Health Concerns About Great Pyrenees Lab Mix
A healthy Great Pyrenees Lab Mix can be expected to live for 10-12 years. Despite being a healthy dog, Pyradors have the potential to develop some genetic health issues.
Let’s get down to the common health problems that Pyradors can suffer from:
Elbow Dysplasia
This is a progressive hereditary disease common to Pyradors. It causes a developmental deformity of the elbows. The affected Pyradors show occasional or persistent forelimb lameness and pain.
Canine Hip Dysplasia
This is a degenerative condition that Great Pyrenees Lab Mixes develop as they grow. The affected Pyrador tends to have a loose fit of the hip joint causing lameness, limping, and difficulty in standing or jumping. Hip dysplasia is typically caused by hereditary factors, rapid weight gain, or excessive nutritional intake (overfeeding).
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
This is an inherited eye disease affecting Great Pyrenees Lab Mixes. Affected Pyradors initially experience vision loss in dim light. It can eventually cause complete blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye.
Gastric Torsion
This is caused by the sudden influx of gas and air in the Pyrador’s stomach which causes it to distend and twist. It can even cause death in Great Pyrenees Lab Mix if not treated promptly.
Cataracts
This is an opacity on the lens of the eye that causes difficulty in seeing and blurry vision. The Pyrador’s eyes may look cloudy or bluish-grey. Great Pyrenees Lab Mix usually develops cataracts at an older age.
If you feel your Great Pyrenees Lab Mix has any of the above conditions, you should speak to your vet. A great way to prepare for and avoid unexpectedly large vet bills is to register your pet for Pet Health Insurance proactively!
Great Pyrenees Lab Mix Care
Let’s get down to the feeding, grooming, training, and exercise requirements of Great Pyrenees Lab Mix.
Feeding Your Great Pyrenees Lab Mix
Complete nutrition and a healthy diet are vital to keeping your dog in good physical condition and full of energy. Being a large dog, it is important to feed your Pyrador high-quality food that is specifically designed for large breeds. The right foods contain optimal ingredients to control bone growth.
The amount of food that Great Pyrenees Lab Mixes should eat varies with age, gender, and physical activity. Check with your vet for proper feeding instructions for your unique pooch. Clean and fresh water should be made available to your dog at all times.
It is also important to monitor the amount of food that the Pyrador eats. You should provide only the proper portion depending on your Pyrador’s age and weight. Some Pyradors are food fanatics, just like their Lab parents. Rapid bone growth can cause many health issues in large dogs and can increase the chances of obesity, and hip and elbow dysplasia.
Training Your Great Pyrenees Lab Mix
The Pyrador has intelligent and loyal parents, and that makes training much easier to train. They can fairly easily understand your commands and enjoy learning new things.
Here are some useful tips for training your Pyrador:
- The ideal time to start training is when the Great Pyrenees Lab Mix pup is 8-12 weeks old.
- Start training in a quiet area with minimal distractions. Gradually move on to more distracting areas as you and your puppy become more comfortable with commands.
- You should use positive reinforcement techniques during training sessions. It helps them understand your expectations and the differences between the things they should be doing and shouldn’t be doing.
- You need to be consistently firm and patient with your Pyrador.
- If you are unable to devote much time, it’s better to enroll your Great Pyrenees Lab Mix pup in puppy classes. Your puppy will socialize, get obedience training, and learn basic manners.
Here are some of the areas that you will need to work on with your Great Pyrenees Lab Mix puppy:
- Leash training
- Crate training
- Housebreaking and potty training
- Basic obedience training
Socialize your Great Pyrenees Lab Mix pup as much as you can as early as you can. Make sure your puppy gets to encounter all kinds of people, animals, and objects in different places.
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Grooming Needs of Great Pyrenees Lab Mix
Great Pyrenees Lab Mixes are heavy shedders. Let’s have a look at their grooming needs:
- Brushing: Your Pyrado needs to be brushed once or twice a week. This will help to remove any extra fur. During shedding season, they may require daily brushing to keep the fur from flying and building up around your house.
- Bathing: Pyrador’s coat is dirt-resistant and relatively clean. A bath once every 8 to 12 weeks will be plenty for the Pyrador. Overbathing is not recommended for these dogs as you risk damaging their natural coat oils. Always use a pH-balanced canine shampoo and conditioner.
- Ear Cleaning: Dirt and moisture can easily trap in Pyrador’s large ears. They should be cleaned regularly, twice a week, to prevent infections.
- Teeth Cleaning: Brush your Pyrador’s teeth every few days to remove tartar buildup and bacteria.
- Nail Trimming: Pyrador’s nails usually require monthly clipping. Doing so will keep their feet in good condition and enable them to walk properly without discomfort.
Look inside your Pyrador’s mouth and check for sores, redness, or other signs of infection. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early.
Tools Used for Grooming Your Great Pyrenees Lab Mix:
You need to invest in a good set of grooming tools for your double-coated Pyrador:
- Pin Brush
- Medium-Bristle Brush
- Deshedding tool
- Grooming Rake
- Canine Shampoo & Conditioner
- Slicker Brush
- Nail Clipper
Exercise Requirements of Great Pyrenees Lab Mix
Being a large and energetic breed, Great Pyrenees Lab Mixes are well suited for homes with a decent size fenced yard. In addition to yard play, Pyradors need regular exercise, in the form of a walk or light jog, every day for about twenty to forty minutes. This will keep them healthy, active, and happy.
Pyradors need regular opportunities to vent their pent-up energy and do interesting things. You can meet their exercise requirements by engaging in:
- Daily walk
- Fetch games
- Frisbee toss
- Hiking
- Tug of war
- Stair exercise
- Backyard agility
- Scenting and nose games
You can also provide chew toys, interactive toys, and puzzle toys for their mental stimulation. Participating in physical activities will drain their pent-up energy. It is fun and rewarding for both the Great Pyr Lab Mix and the owner.
Great Pyrenees Lab Mix Price: The Cost of a Great Pyrenees Lab Mix
The price of a Great Pyrenees Lab mix puppy is around $600 to $1,500. Costs are usually affected by the pup’s availability, the kennel’s popularity, the breeder’s location, litter size, the dog’s age and size, coat color, the unique traits it may inherit, and the bloodlines of the purebred parents.
If you decide to buy a Great Pyrenees Lab mix, avoid unethical breeders at all costs. Always do your research before paying for a puppy. Only purchase from reputable breeders that allow you to visit the kennel, meet the puppy and its parents, show the health records of parents, and answer your questions transparently. If you are going with a rescue organization, ensure that it is also reputable and properly accredited.
Other Great Pyrenees Mixes
Mixing the Great Pyrenees genes with those of other dog breeds results in some astounding canines. All of them are amazing and no one can deny their unique and exotic appearances.
We have compiled a list of 20 of the most beautiful combinations we could find! Each Great Pyr mix has something unique to offer in both appearance and temperament.
- Malanees
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Alaskan
- Pyrenees Pit
Parents: The Great Pyrenees and American Pit Bull Terrier
- Anatolian Pyrenees
Parents: The Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd
- Great Bernese
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Bernese Mountain dog
- Border Collie Pyrenees
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Border Collie
- Collie Pyrenees
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Collie
- Germanees
Parents: Great Pyrenees and German Shepherd
- Shepnees
Parents: Great Pyrenees and German Shepherd
- Golden Pyrenees
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Golden Retriever
- Great Pyredane
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Great Dane
- Swissneese
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Great Swiss Mountain Dog
- Great Wolfhound
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Irish Wolfhound
- Great Keeshees
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Keeshond
- Pyrador
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Labrador Retriever
- Maspyr
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Mastiff
- Pyredoodle
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Poodle
- Saint Pyrenees
Parents: and Great Pyrenees and Saint Bernard
- Pyrenees Husky
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Siberian Husky
- Great Cambrian Shepherd
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Welsh Sheepdog
- Great Wirehaired Gryfenees
Parents: Great Pyrenees and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Other Lab Mixes
There’s a beautiful Labrador Retriever mix for everyone. We have compiled a list of 20 of the most amazing combinations we could find. If you are in love with Labs, you will love these mixed breeds!
- Afador
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Afghan Hound
- Lab’Aire
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Airedale Terrier
- Alaskan Malador
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Alaskan Malamute
- American Bullador
Parents: Labrador Retriever x American Bulldog
- Spanador
Parents: Labrador Retriever and American Cocker Spaniel
- Eskidor
Parents: Labrador Retriever and American Eskimo Dog
- Labrabull
Parents: Labrador Retriever and American Pit Bull Terrier
- Labrastaff
Parents: Labrador Retriever and American Staffordshire Terrier
- Labraheeler
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Aussiedor
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Australian Shepherd
- Labrasenji
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Basenji
- Ambassador
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Basset Hound
- Labbe
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Beagle
- Labernese
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog
- Labloodhound
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Bloodhound
- Borador
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Border Collie
- Boston Lab
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Boston Terrier
- Boxador
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Boxer
- Bullmasador
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Bullmastiff
- Labrador Corso
Parents: Labrador Retriever and Cane Corso
Parting Shot on Great Pyrenees Lab Mixes
The Pyrador makes a fantastic family dog due to their friendly and affectionate nature. They will thrive with an owner who lives an active lifestyle and enjoys being outdoors. Remember that Pyradors can be fiercely protective of their family, especially when it comes to strangers.
You must give your Pyradors high-quality food, and fresh clean water, offer them ample space, time, and training, take care of their grooming needs, and take them for regular check-ups with a vet. If you do so, the Great Pyrenees Lab mix will love you more than you can imagine.
Hope you enjoyed reading the article! Have any questions about Great Pyrenees Lab mixes? Shoot us a comment, and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
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Family Dog Expert Author
Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.