If you are looking for a rare but lovable crossbreed, you probably will love a Labrador Foxhound mix. This is a cross between a Labrador retriever, the world’s most popular and well-liked dog, and any of the Foxhound breeds. Whether it is an English Foxhound or an American Foxhound, you will get an excellent doggie.
Are you wondering whether this mix between a Lab and a Foxhound is suitable for your family? You might be wondering what you get when a hunter meets a retriever. Although the temperaments of the parents differ, you expect a very friendly pooch. So, what does it look like? What is their dog’s IQ? What do they eat?
Here, you will learn everything you need to know if you are thinking about bringing Labrador Hound mix into your home.
To know more, continue reading.
What do you call a Labrador Foxhound mix?
A Labrador Foxhound mix is also known as a Lab Foxhound. These designer dogs are not on the list of breeds recognized by the AKC. They can, however, be registered with other organizations that accept designer dogs.
History of the Breed
There is not much history that we can share about the Labrador Foxhound mix since no records show when they came to be. However, the intentional mixing of dogs by designers has been around for the last 20 years approx. Therefore, we can guess that the mix came to be around then.
We will take a closer look at the Lab Foxhound parents to help us understand what you expect of this mix.
Parents
Table of comparison between Labradors and American Foxhounds
| Characteristics | Labrador Retriever | American Foxhound |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 22 to 24 inches | 21 to 25 inches |
| Weight | 55 to 79 lbs. | 44 to 75 lbs. |
| Health | Above-average | Above-Average |
| Temperament | Even-tempered, smart, friendly, trusting & agile, loyal, but independent | Sweet-tempered, kind, smart, loyal, affectionate, but independent |
| Energy | High | Extremely active |
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 years | 11 to 14 years |
| Puppy Prices | $400 to $1,500 | $500 and $1,000 |
The Labrador Retriever – The Labrador Retriever is native to Canada Newfoundland to be specific. At first, they were created to help fishermen as water dogs that retrieved duck and fish from icy waters. Fishermen also used these working dogs to pull nets full of fish out of the water. There are 2 types of Labs namely the English and the American Labrador.
These purebreds are the most popular globally for 3 decades and have swept most Americans by their feet due to their adorable looks and well-balanced disposition. In terms of dog IQ, Labs are ranked 7th on the list of the most intelligent breeds known to man. Labrador retrievers were accepted as a breed and registered by the AKC in 1917.
Labs are medium-to-large pooches that stand 21½ to 24½ inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of 55 to 80 lbs. they can live 10 to 12 years and are predisposed to health conditions such as hip dysplasia, allergies, eye disease, obesity, bloat, epilepsy, and tumors.
The American Foxhound – Proud to be the state dog of Virginia, the American Foxhound has its origins in two states, including Virginia and Maryland. This purebred was specifically created by the propertied elite to help them hunt foxes, hence the name. President George Washington was a devoted breeder and owned Foxhounds in his Mount Vernon home for this hunting sport. Read more about America’s first President’s Foxhounds here.
Ranked as the 47th most intelligent in the dog IQ tests, the American Foxhound is very friendly and has a sweet-tempered, loyal, and kind disposition. They, however, tend to be independent. This purebred was documented by the AKC in 1886. American Foxhounds are a fairly rare breed which makes their mixes even much rarer and rather expensive. Read this article if you are considering owning an American Foxhound.
A full-grown American Foxhound is between 22 and 24 inches tall at the shoulders and has a weight of 40 to 65 lbs. These dogs are very energetic and healthy with a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years on average. Hypothyroidism is the most common health issue in American Foxhounds, but they are also susceptible to weight gain, skin issues, and some behavioral changes.
Check the video below about the American Foxhound
Appearance
It can be tricky to predict how your Labrador Retriever American Foxhound mix will look when they are fully grown. These pups can favor one parent more or inherit a blend of traits from both parents leading to a unique look. Like both the Lab and the American Foxhound parents, your mix will be in the medium-to-large dog category. So, expect them to stand between 21 and 24 inches tall at the shoulders in size with a weight of between 50 and 75 lbs.
The American Foxhound has a medium-length coat with a coarse texture while Labs have a double coat that is wiry on the outside and a soft undercoat. Your Lab Foxhound mix can take from any parent, although most take after the Lab’s double coat. Expect this cross to have a moderately muscular build with varying coat colors.
Temperament and Characteristics
It may be hard to tell exactly what personality your American Foxhound Labrador mix will have. Both parents, however, are known to be affectionate, brave, and protective of their owners. The apple does not fall far from the tree so, expect your mix to inherit this nature as well. They are a wonderful family dog, especially if you are interested in a cross with guarding abilities.
Your crossbreed will be very wary but harmless to strangers and they do not like to be left alone for long periods. If that happens, separation anxiety might make them develop bad habits and start chewing everything like their Lab parent. They always want to spend time with their family.
This mix is extremely smart which means that they receive commands quickly. They are also eager to please their owners thus making training easy but may tend to be independent. This may complicate training sessions which is why we do not recommend this mix to novice owners. If you want them to respond well, use positive reinforcement during training, and do not be harsh.
Ease of Training
As mentioned above, the American Foxhound cross Labrador is an intelligent pup with the desire to please you. However, they can take after their American Foxhound parent and try to be independent. At this moment, using positive reinforcement will produce better results.
This mix might be prone to weight gain like their American Foxhound mix so avoid feeding treats and use praises. If you must throw them treats, talk to your vet about what is best.
Exercise
The Labrador and American Foxhound mix is a high-energy pooch that requires plenty of exercise. They will like extremely long walks and hikes as well as running in the morning or evening. Make sure your cross has toys to play with once they get bored, so their intelligent mind does not become destructive.
Nutritional Requirements
The nutritional needs of your Foxhound Labrador cross will depend on their weight and age as well as their health. That being said, your mix should eat high-quality dog food that is made with medium-to-large pooches in mind.
While these hounds will eat large portions of food, do not overfeed them to prevent weight gain as it could lead to obesity and joint problems. If you are not certain which food is best for your canine buddy or how much you should feed them, talk to your vet.
Health Issues
Like all mixes, Labrador Foxhound mixes are healthier than their parents. However, they are susceptible to certain health issues they may inherit from their parents. These include hip and elbow dysplasia, bacterial infections, and weight gain, among others.
It is also recommended that you take your doggie friend for vet visits often. This will help discover underlying health issues and they can be taken care of well.
Life Expectancy
The lifespan of an American Foxhound Lab mix is between 10 and 12 years.
How to Care for them
Taking good care of your Labrador mix with American Foxhound begins with taking them for regular vet checkups. Also, feed them adequately but not excessively to prevent weight gain and monitor how much you feed them to prevent bloat.
When it comes to grooming, the needs will depend on which parent they take after most. If they inherit the Lab parent’s coat, they will become heavy shedders and the opposite is also true. To be on the safer side, invest in a quality vacuum cleaner to keep your floors clean.
Baths should be given as required, enough to keep them looking great but not too much to prevent dry skin. Remember to check their ears for debris and dirt and clean them regularly, brush their teeth for good oral health, and trim their nails short.
Cost
The price of a Labrador American Foxhound mix is anywhere between $650 and $1,000. Make sure you buy your puppy from a reputable breeder who can allow you to visit their location, if possible, and show you the health records of your mix’s parents.
Where to Adopt
If you opt for adoption, you can start by checking with your local shelter through people that work in such an institution. There are rescue centers for the purebred parents of the Lab American Foxhound mix where you can also try your luck. You should know that this is a rare breed to find.
FAQs
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