People often joke about the thought of breeding a small dog (like a Chihuahua) with a large dog (like a Labrador). Funny thing is, that actually happens.
The Lab Chihuahua mix is a small to medium dog that stands 10-22 inches tall and weighs 24-60 pounds. Their temperament is difficult to predict because this mixed breed is a fairly new hybrid breed. One thing is clear, due to the size difference of both individual dog breeds (male Chihuahua and a female Labrador), litters are produced as a result of artificial insemination.
If you’re looking for a Lab Chihuahua mixed dog breed (also known as a Labrahuahua) or perhaps you’re curious about how this unique hybrid works, here is your ultimate guide!
Overview
The Chihuahua-Lab mix (often known as a Labrahuahua or even a Chihuahuador) is a designer hybrid that is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Despite the fact the two parents of the hybrid are recognized and registered by the AKC, the breed is still somewhat new. While the Labrahuahua might not be recognized by the AKC just yet, the hybrid is recognized and registered by the Dog Registry of America, Inc (DRA).
The first thing people think of when they see or hear about a Chihuahua-Lab mix is: how on earth did that happen?
We’ll go into this in detail later, but the general idea is that it is impossible (and highly unethical) to allow a Chihuahua to mate with a Labrador, regardless of the sexes. It just doesn’t work because of the size difference. Instead, the Labrahuahua hybrid is created as a result of artificial insemination.
Technically, if you have a large male Chihuahua and a small female Labrador, you can allow them to mate. However, in most cases, the Chihuahua-Lab mix is a result of artificial insemination to prevent injury. The male Chihuahua’s genetic material is inserted into the female Labrador, who will then grow the puppies like usual.
The reason why the Labrador must be a female is that a female Chihuahua is at risk of serious injury and health problems if she gives birth to puppies that are too large for her.
If you’re wondering why people would want a Chihuahua-Lab mix, the answer is all about the wonderful personality the hybrid creates. Labradors are notoriously friendly, loyal, and playful dogs.
Chihuahuas are notoriously intelligent, spunky, and a little sassy. Put them together, and you’ve got a brilliant companion with a healthy dose of attitude.
Labrahuahua Physical Characteristics
Before we go further into this guide, here is a rundown of the general physical characteristics of the Labrahuahua.
- Height: 25-56 cm
- Weight: 11-27 kg
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Size: Small to medium (depending on the parents)
- Coat: Thick single coat
- Shedding: Average amount
- Colors: Black, yellow, brown, white, and red
History Of The Labrahuahua
As the Chihuahua-Lab mix is such a recent hybrid, the history of the Labrahuahua is still unclear. It is suggested that the hybrid came about in the 1980s when designer breeds were becoming popular.
To understand the history of the Labrahuahua, we must first look into the history of the hybrid’s parents.
Chihuahua History
The history of Chihuahuas is mysterious, but historians have suggested that the breed descends from the pre-Columbian dog, the ancient Techichi.
The Techichi dog was slightly larger than modern-day Chihuahuas, and people owned these dogs as companions. Americans discovered the Chihuahua we know today in the mid-1800s in the city of Chihuahua in Mexico.
During the 1880s, Mexican merchants started to sell the Chihuahua dog to tourists who took them home as pets. The name of the dog was unclear at this point, so they were often given the name of the state they were seen in. For a while, the Chihuahua was known as the Arizona dog and the Mexico dog.
Nowadays, Chihuahuas are a popular small breed for their spunky and hilarious personality.
While they might only weigh less than six pounds, they certainly make up for their size in attitude.
They can be stubborn at times, but it’s only because of how intelligent they are.
Labrador History
The Labrador was bred in the 1830s by European settlers who wanted to create the perfect dog for hunting and water purposes. The breed descends from the now extinct St John’s Waterdog, and they primarily worked to retrieve fish from icy waters in Newfoundland, Canada.
For the last 30 years, the Labrador has become possibly the most popular dog breed in the world. This breed is known for its loveable, loyal, and affectionate nature.
They are energetic dogs that need a lot of exercise, and they are brilliant swimmers.
Labrahuahua Appearance
Trying to picture a Chihuahua-Lab mix is almost like trying to picture a mix between a giraffe and a lion. While it might seem impossible to mix the two together, almost purely for the size difference, it is actually possible.
It does seem odd, though. Labradors are large dogs that weigh over 62 kg and grow to around 60 cm tall, whereas Chihuahuas weigh under 6 lbs and only grow to around 9” tall.
As with all designer hybrids, no two Labrahuahuas will look the same. When you breed two dogs together, the result will look more like one than the other.
Labrahuahuas are smaller than Labradors, and bigger than Chihuahuas. The males are usually bigger than the females (as with most dog breeds), and breeders claim that the hybrid ranges from 25-56 cm tall and 11-27 kg heavy. It all mostly depends on the size of the parents.
In most cases, you can expect a Labrahuahua to have a slim build and slightly shorter legs. It might have a muscular build with a pointed face and large, round eyes.
It might have triangular, upright ears that flop over like a Labrador’s. Each Labrahuahua will look different from the next, but the general appearance is a dog that inherits characteristics from both parents.
Some Labrahuahua owners have observed that their dog looks more like a large Chihuahua, while others have said their dog looks more like a small Labrador. There is no way of telling what the puppy will grow to look like!
Labrahuahua Temperament And Personality
As with their appearance, it’s hard to say what the Labrahuahua’s personality and temperament are like. In most cases, the temperament of the dog will be mostly unpredictable.
Sometimes they’re friendly and clingy, sometimes they’re aloof and independent. They might bark more than a regular Labrador, but they’re likely to befriend any human and animal fairly fast.
Labrahuahuas are very needy dogs. This is because Labradors are notoriously friendly and love cuddles, and Chihuahuas are prone to separation anxiety.
This means that they will need constant attention, otherwise, they might become destructive from boredom and anxiety. This is why the Labrahuahua is best suited for families and households who can commit to accommodating their dog’s neediness.
One of the downsides of Chihuahuas is that they can be aggressive when not trained properly. These aggressive traits can be easily controlled by early and constant training for the Labrahuahua from a young age.
They will need regular socializing and a firm hand to make them know that you are the boss (though the Chihuahua in them will sometimes disagree!).
Labrahuahua Coat: Colors And Texture
Chihuahuas are either long-haired or short-haired dogs that can come in a variety of colors, markings, and color combinations. The colors their coats come in include fawn, cream, white, black, chocolate, and more.
Labradors, on the other hand, have a dense and thick short/medium coat that is designed to retain their body temperature when they swim in cold water. The colors of this coat are black, white, yellow, and chocolate.
The coat of a Labrahuahua will vary depending on the parentage, but generally speaking, Chihuahua-Lab mixes have a single thick coat that is short to medium in length.
The texture of the coat is either wired or straight, and it usually comes in the main colors of black, white, brown, yellow, and red. The dog might have some Chihuahua-like markings if the parent exhibited them.
Grooming A Labrahuahua
Labrahuahuas are moderate shedders, which means owners need to get used to frequent vacuuming and grooming. How often you brush your Labrahuahua’s coat depends on their coat length – short coats need less grooming than long coats.
Generally speaking, Labrahuahuas should be brushed once a week. This is to promote healthy shedding by brushing out their old hair to allow new hair to grow. The same goes for bathing, as frequent bathing will prevent more shedding.
Labradors are exposed to ear infections due to their floppy ears. The Labrahuahua’s ears, likewise, need to be checked frequently to prevent an infection from building up.
Similarly, their nails need to be observed to see if they need a trim. In most cases, you should vary their walks so they can naturally trim their nails on hard surfaces like concrete.
Like all dogs, you also need to stay on top of your Labrahuahua’s oral hygiene. Feeding them dry food is a good step towards this, but you might want to stock up on dental chews and cleaning equipment to prevent tartar or plaque buildup. You should clean their teeth 2-3 times a week.
Labrahuahua Exercise
Because of the Labrador parentage, Labrahuahuas are energetic dogs that need frequent exercise. Don’t be fooled by the Chihuahua parentage, though, as Chihuahuas are surprisingly energetic and have good stamina despite their size. These dogs should get at least 30-60 minutes of exercise a day.
If a Labrahuahua does not meet these exercise requirements daily, they can become destructive in the house. These are needy dogs who need attention, and if they don’t get it, they will act out.
Furniture and shoes will be bitten and torn, they will try to eat dog and human food lying around, and they might urinate or defecate in the house to make a point.
To prevent this chaotic restlessness, Labrahuahuas must belong to a family or household that can accommodate their needs. They can adjust to apartments due to their size, but they do best in houses with yards to run around in.
In terms of the type of exercise, Labrahuahuas will become bored from doing the same exercise daily. It’s important to change it up.
One day, go to the park.
The next day, go to the beach.
If you’re too busy to leave your immediate area, take them on a road walk around your neighborhood.
Make sure to bring balls and toys to allow them to run around a play fetch, and even take them on the occasional run!
As Labradors are water dogs, your Labrahuahua will love to go swimming. Whether it’s in a river or the sea, make sure to allow them to burn off some steam by getting them wet.
Training A Labrahuahua
While Labrahuahuas are intelligent dogs, this intelligence can lead to stubbornness. You can teach them how to respond to their name with all the treats you want, but when they realize that they’re no longer getting treats, they won’t run to you.
With the personality traits of both Chihuahuas and Labradors, training your dog is likely to be unpredictable. Some days, the dog will be eager to please. The next day, the dog will ignore you. You just have to be patient and consistent with training the dog from a young age.
There are plenty of ways to train a dog to your liking. If you find yourself struggling with training, try to take yourself and your dog to a professional trainer.
Group classes are great because they will teach your dog both how to socialize and how to ignore other dogs when you give it a command.
It’s all about patience and positive reinforcement. You can’t give your dog treats every time they complete a command, because it will become expectant (and probably a bit chubby!).
Instead, please their Labrador instincts by praising them with a lot of cuddles. With practice and time, your Labrahuahua will remember its training for life!
Socializing your dog from a young age is essential for all dog breeds. Any dog, even a Labrador, can be aggressive or timid around other dogs if they aren’t exposed to adequate socialization as a puppy.
While Labrahuahuas have the friendly attributes of their Labrador mum, the Chihuahua father attributes will make it somewhat unpredictable.
To prevent your dog from becoming stubborn, aloof, and potentially snappy, you must socialize it with other dogs, animals, and humans from when it is a puppy. This will help to build the dog’s confidence and will prevent aggression.
Also, it’s a good idea to crate train your Labrahuahua dog as a puppy.
These dogs are needy and can be prone to social anxiety, so you must teach them that you will return when you leave the house.
Training them with a positive association to a crate will prevent them from getting destructive around the house, and will also stop them from fearing the crate.
Labrahuahua Health Risks
Labrahuahuas can live between 10-15 years and are generally healthy dogs. However, there are some genetic health risks that they are predisposed to because of their parents. It’s important to know the health risks that Chihuahuas and Labradors are exposed to.
Not only this, but your breeder should give you medical information about the parents so you are aware of possible vet bills in the future.
Weight Gain
Labradors are notorious eaters. They are prone to weight gain as they lack a gene that tells them to stop eating. To prevent injuries from weight gain, such as arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a genetic heart disease that is common amongst all dogs – especially large breeds. This disease is where the heart muscles begin to wear down and thin. This is a genetic disease, which should be noted in medical information by the breeder.
PatellarLuxation
Small dogs like Chihuahuas are predisposed to patellar luxation. This is a condition where the kneecaps can move out of place, resulting in lameness. Small dogs are prone to this due to how often they jump onto couches and beds. Weight gain can contribute to this, too.
Eye Issues
Eye problems like cataracts and entropion (where the eyelids roll inward) are common in most dogs.
Labrahuahua Nutrition
Each Labrahuahua will have different nutritional requirements, which is why it is important to follow the guidelines set out by a vet.
In most cases, however, Labrahuahuas should eat between 1 ½-2 ½ cups of dry kibble per day to stay healthy. They should eat little and often with enough time to digest the food before or after they exercise.
The key to a good nutritional diet for Chihuahua-Lab mixes is to avoid carbs like the plague. High-protein and low-carb kibble is ideal, as this will suit their energy levels without promoting weight gain.
You should avoid artificial fillers and stick to all-natural ingredients, as this is the healthiest option for your dog. Fiber isn’t a necessary nutritional requirement, but it can help to solidify stool if they have an upset stomach.
Where To Find A Labrahuahua
As with all dogs, the best way to find a Labrahuahua is to adopt one. As this is a rare hybrid, you need to keep an eye on local rescue centers to see if you get lucky.
If you cannot find a Labrahuahua in a rescue center, the next option is to find a reputable breeder. These dogs can cost around $1000, but this is due to the effort to breed the dogs through artificial insemination.
Reputable breeders should willingly give you all the necessary documentation, such as medical histories of the parents, proof of licensing, etc. Make sure to avoid backyard breeders, as they won’t care about the health of the dog compared to the money they gain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Labrador and Chihuahua mix?
Yes, you can mix a Labrador with a Chihuahua! The safest way to do this is by artificial insemination. The female must be the Labrador, as a female Chihuahua won’t be able to hold or give birth to such large puppies.
How big will a Chihuahua Lab mix get?
Generally speaking, a Chihuahua-Lab mix will reach 25-56 cm tall. It all depends on the size of the parents, as you might be mixing a large Chihuahua with a small Labrador. A Chihuahua-Lab mix will look like a small Labrador with pointy ears, a slightly pointed face, large eyes, short legs, and a slim build.
Final Words
There you have it, the ultimate guide to the Labrahuahua! As you now know, the Chihuahua-Lab mix is a unique hybrid that comes with little information.
With proper training and care, a Labrahuahua can be a wonderful companion for a family. These dogs are friendly and affectionate, but they require a lot of patience and attention to accommodate for their bouts of aloofness and ignorance.
The perfect household for a Labrahuahua is one that can provide 30-60 minutes of exercise daily, consistent obedience training, and a lot of cuddles!
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