When it comes to man’s best friend, there are some breeds that stand out as top dog. The most preferred four-legged friends out there currently include the Labrador: the big friendly giant, the Poodle: the smart and stylish, and the Dachshund: the sweet little sausage.
If your heart is torn between these three breeds (and let’s face it – it’d be hard not to), then cast your worries aside, as it turns out you don’t have to pick! Interested? So are we, so without further ado, let us take a look at the Labradoodle Dachshund mix.
Table of Contents
The History of the Parent Breeds
Labradoodle
The big, curly, and loveable breed we know and love as the Labradoodle dates back to as early as the 1950s when eight-time British speed record breaker Donald Campbell coined the name for his new (and largely uncommon) new breed of dog.
The cross itself attained greater popularity after it was realized that along with being a great friend, the Labradoodle was also a prime candidate for filling a gap in the service dog market – as a low shedding guide dog.
This proved to be a huge hit, and once introduced to the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia, the popularity of the breed soared. While initially the buzz around this breed was kept mainly to Australian seas, it quickly became a sensation globally.
Dachshund
Statistics show that Dachshunds are becoming the number one most coveted companion, with dog owners new and old snatching them up left right, and center. With their signature long bodies, and a loving and friendly temperament – these dogs satisfy the urge for novelty and comfort among modern dog owners.
However, it may shock you to know that these iconic dogs didn’t always look this way.
In actuality, the long body short legs combo is a product of modern breeders, and while these attributes were present (and incredibly desired among hunters in the 15 and 16th centuries) – Dachshunds originally resembled that of a terrier.
How is the Labradoodle Dachshund Cross Achieved?
As with all crosses with a mixed parent, there are many routes to the same result. However, although this is the case, you will find some methods to be much more popular than others. What does it matter if it all ends up the same? Well, there are a lot of factors at play when designing dogs.
The cross has three primary breeds: the Labrador, the Poodle, and the Dachshund. Some breeds (such as the Maltipoo Havanese mix) are composed of three breeds that are incredibly well-aligned physically, and as such the order of breeding is interchangeable, however for the Labradoodle Dachshund this isn’t the case.
Labradors are bigger than Dachshunds by a significant margin, and so to achieve this breed the Labradoodle mix as a parent is absolutely necessary. Think of the Poodle as a mediator helping to bridge the gap between the size difference between the other two breeds.
By introducing a Poodle into the cross, you go from breeding a large dog with a small dog, to a medium dog with a small dog, and while it is still unadvisable that you breed these dogs naturally, a pregnancy via artificial insemination is much less risky complications wise.
What do you call a Labradoodle Dachshund Cross?
The Labrador Dachshund cross has no official name due to its relative obscurity in breeding circles, however, we may look to adjacent crosses for an appropriate name.
Doxiepoo and Labrashund are the names given to the crosses with the three main breeds of the cross in question today, and as such, Labra Doxiepoo is as good a name as any for this breed!
The Benefits of the Labra Doxiepoo
A great benefit to this cross is the compromise on size without losing out on the perfect temperament. Labradors, while well known for their friendly, and sociable personalities, are rather large for some living situations. Luckily, Dachshunds share many of the same personable traits, but in a much smaller package, making the Labra Doxiepoo a truly fun-sized friend.
Also having Daschunds gives you a lot of variety when it comes to your dog’s look. If having a breed that is this niche wasn’t unique enough for you, then rest assured that this breed can come in all shapes and sizes (more on this below).
The Cons of the Labra Doxiepoo
Some cons of the breed are their boundless energy. While a smaller size may mitigate high energy levels somewhat, labs are known for their relentless drive, a trait also shared by Poodles. This may be an advantage if you are the type of person that loves more than their fair share of play, but for those with less free time be warned this may come as a burden to you.
Another issue typical of Labs and Dachshunds is how quickly they put on weight. Both breeds have eyes larger than their stomach, and despite their high energy burning the vast majority of calories on a day-to-day basis, you must keep a keen eye on your dog’s diet.
Of course, with the right routine, you can ensure your dog isn’t packing on the pounds, but the energy levels vs appetite may quickly become be a balancing act as it may be hard to gauge what is your dog feeling hungry, and what stems from this tendency to gorge themselves.
Why is the Labradoodle Dachshund cross Being Bred?
The Labra Doxiepoo is being bred due to the popularity of all three parents. What we have here is a dog crossed with three breeds that are well known and well documented, meaning the mix is an incredibly safe bet for the undecided owner.
Some crosses seek to fix medical issues (such as the Cockapoo Pug mix) or make lesser-known breeds more appealing to a greater audience by combining with a well-known breed, however, the Labra Doxiepoo capitalizes on already household names – bringing together the best that each has to offer!
What can be Expected from the Labradoodle Doxiepoo Mix?
Height & Weight
Sitting at 15″-17”, the first thing you will notice about this dog is its increased height relative to the Dachshund. This is a good thing – as we will talk about in the health section.
At 25lbs – 40lbs, some Dachshund owners may have alarm bells ringing, as this is quite a bit more weight than the average purebred Dachshund. What must be considered, however, is that the addition of longer legs and a larger stature adds to the mass of this breed. This weight is nothing to shy away from and is in fact an indicator of a happy and healthy Labra Doxiepoo.
Colour & Coat
Much like the Dachshund, this breed comes in a great many a variety.
To know how your dog will look it is best to look at the color and coat of the parents. Whether it’s long or short hair, slick, curly, or wiry, it’s fair to say that no two Labra Doxiepoo will look the same, so you can expect a unique puppy no matter what.
The same is true for the color, of which the dog can be many – both solid or two-color variations run the gambit of the combinations.
Maintenance
While for obvious reasons we would have a hard time talking about the specifics of grooming your dog, it is standard practice that you should be going to the groomer every 1 to 1 ½ month for hygiene reasons.
It is also true that you should be maintaining your dog’s coat, whether this is through daily brushing, or a once-a-week comb through and inspection, in order to keep your dog happy and healthy you need to maintain a standard of care.
Health
Due to their long legs compared to a Dachshund, and smaller size than a Labrador, this breed is much healthier than its parents. While long-term back and joint problems may still occur, it is much less likely thanks to the crossed genes negating inherited illnesses.
That being said, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and Von Willebrand’s disease are all health conditions you may encounter and should keep an eye out for.
Temperament
The Labra Doxiepoo is laid back, sociable, and is a keen sense of adventure. Thanks to their loyalty and intelligence, combined with a slightly larger size, these dogs are great with kids and larger families and will be right at home wherever you take them – be it a mansion or an apartment.
Exercise Needs and Feeding Requirements
60 minutes of exercise a day is required to keep this dog’s energy sated. This can be in one long walk or dispersed throughout the day, but these are active dogs, so don’t be surprised if after a lengthy stroll you find your dog up and raring to go again quickly after.
Such an energetic existence requires a hearty meal to sustain, and this can range anywhere from 1 to 2 cups of food per day depending on the size of your dog. Just note that these dogs can quickly become overweight, so you may need to monitor calory intake and adjust accordingly.
Conclusion
A unique mix for Doodle lovers, as you should be well aware of by now, the Labra Doxiepoo is guaranteed to come bounding into your life and capture your heart in no time.
Being active and outgoing without being too big to handle, these dogs are ideal for larger families with lots of people to play with, or those looking for a reason to get off the couch and into the great outdoors with their new furry friend.
But if that doesn’t sound like you, what options do you have? Luckily the designer dog market has more variety than ever nowadays, so if a smaller dog seems more your speed, why not check out the Cockapoo Pomeranian Mix or the Goldendoodle Chihuahua?