Dog breeders give us the best of the canine population.
That could be the reason for the increased mixed-breed dog population.
Caucasian Shepherd cross Labrador is a great breed mix.
There are plenty of reasons why pet owners love this breed.
Let’s take a look!
Caucasian Shepherd Cross Labrador
- Breed Origin
- Character Traits
- Appearance Attributes
Breed Origin
The Caucasian Shepherd Labrador (CSL) results from mixing dog breeds.
It is a mix of a Caucasian Shepherd and a Labrador Retriever.
These dogs originate from different geolocations.
Some of the mixes arise from accidental breeding.
This is primarily a case in the stray dog population.
This population of dogs has uncontrollable breeding.
But some breeders intentionally breed them.
In the United States, there are about 2,000 licensed dog breeders. [1]
Character Traits
Character Traits |
Caucasian Shepherd |
Labrador Retriever |
Temperament |
Loyal, fearless, and protective |
Friendly, affectionate, high-spirited |
Intelligence |
Highly intelligent |
Highly intelligent and eager to please |
Energy Level |
Moderate to high energy |
High energy (requires a lot of playtime) |
Socialization |
Careful socialization |
Normal socialization |
Protectiveness |
Very protective |
Low to medium protectiveness |
Family-friendly |
Medium family-friendly dog |
Excellent family dogs |
CSL mix has a mix of traits that vary from both breeds.
Besides their character, their temperament can also vary.
They are high-spirited and brave.
But carefully observe their behavior.
Their variable character is the reason why these dogs need early socialization.
Bear in mind to provide them with appropriate training.
If their Caucasian character dominates, they can be overprotective sometimes.
But if their Labrador character dominates, you will get a gentle dog.
Labradors are also famous for their family-loving character.
The main characteristic of both breeds is that they are intelligent.
These character traits vary.
Thus, you can only partially rely on this.
Appearance Attributes
CSLs’ appearance varies based on their genetics.
Usually, their height is 24 to 30 inches (61-76 cm).
Their weight varies from 70 to 130 pounds (32-59 kg).
Both breeds require detailed grooming.
Labradors have short and dense coats.
But Caucasians have a thick double coat.
Therefore, their coat depends on the inherited genes.
Expect yellow to black puppies from these breeds.
The only sure thing is that this mix is solid and muscular.
Caucasian is a perfect example of a large dog.
You should be careful with large dogs like Shepherds.
Dysplasia is a prevalent bone disease in them.
If Labrador genes dominate, you will get a friendlier dog face.
But if Caucasian genes dominate, you will get a dangerous-looking dog.
The Breed Parentage
- Caucasian Shepherd Profile
- Labrador Retriever Characteristics
- Cross Breed Combination
Caucasian Shepherd Profile
Caucasians are excellent guard dogs.
They are fearless and bold.
This dog originates from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)
Their braveness is from their self-confidence.
But they can also be gentle and kind.
If properly trained, they can adapt to other people and pets.
In the past, their duty was livestock guarding.
They were guarding them from the wildlife.
Nowadays, they are companion dogs. [2]
There are a few herding dog sports for Caucasians.
But they are the best in herding.
That’s why many people refer to them as sheepdogs.
Labrador Retriever Characteristics
Labradors are among the most popular breeds in the United States.
This is according to the American Kennel Club.
They are friendly and patient dogs.
Labradors can quickly adapt to families.
These dogs are very connected with their owners.
They enjoy playing games with their families.
Therefore, prepare for extra physical activities in your schedule. [3]
Cross Breed Combination
Traits |
Caucasian Shepherd |
Labrador Retriever |
Coat |
Double and thick |
Short, dense, and waterproof |
Coat color |
Varies (from white to brown) |
Yellow, black, brown |
Temperament |
Fearless and protective |
Friendly and outgoing |
Their crossbreed combination highly depends on genetics.
You can never predict your dog’s character traits.
You must provide your dog with regular training to get the best version.
Raising Shepherd-Labrador Puppies
- Puppy Behavior Insights
- Early Training Importance
- Socialization Impact
Puppy Behavior Insights
Age |
Expected Behaviors |
0-7 weeks |
Interactions with the litter |
|
Developing basic motor skills |
|
Nursing with the mother |
7-12 weeks |
Transition to solid food |
|
Increased socialization |
|
House and crate training |
3-6 months |
Increasing play behavior |
|
Continuous socialization |
6-12 months |
Becoming independent |
|
Obedience learning |
|
Require regular exercise |
1-2 years |
More stable behavior |
|
Increased territorial and protective behavior |
If you decide to adopt a dog, prepare for a big commitment.
You need to spend some extra time with the newborn puppy.
Make sure to provide them with their basic needs during this age.
Every dog is sensitive during this period.
Therefore, your job is to make their lives as easy as possible.
Early Training Importance
Early training includes socialization from a young age.
You should socialize your puppy with other people and pets.
Then, you should train your puppy using positive reinforcement techniques.
During obedience training, you should teach them the basic commands.
You should also practice crate training with your shepherd.
This will prevent separation anxiety as they age.
If you start this process early, you won’t face issues during the training process. [4]
You can also add toys while training your dog. [5]
Socialization Impact
You should be careful in the period between the 12th and the 16th week of life.
Try to socialize your puppy more.
Also, expose them to different types of situations.
You can start with the safe situations.
Try to expose your puppies to many non-dangerous cases.
After a while, you can expose them to dangerous situations.
Their early socialization can impact their late-life character traits.
For proper socialization, shepherds need to interact with other dogs.
According to statistics of owners regarding socialization:
- 16% use positive reinforcement
- 12% use positive and negative reinforcement
- 32% use positive reinforcement and positive punishment
- 40% use a combination of all categories. [6]
Key Traits of Caucasian Shepherd Cross Labrador
- Dual Breed Traits Balance
- Labrador Retriever Prey Drive
- Shepherd Dog Protective Instinct
Dual Breed Traits Balance
There is no good way to achieve dual-breed trait balance.
You can train your dog to get the desired results.
These breeds have similar sizes.
But, their character traits are not even close to each other.
The “puppy outcome” will depend on your training efforts.
Usually, shepherd dogs bark a lot.
They can keep you on alert constantly. [7]
However, German Shepherds don’t bark sometimes and stay quiet.
But, it doesn’t mean this is true for all shepherd dogs.
Sometimes, German Shepherds don’t stop barking because of the training method.
German Shepherds can be aggressive toward other dogs.
You can manage the aggressive behavior with proper training.
Labrador Retriever Prey Drive
If you leave your Labrador, it can chase the ball for a whole day.
They have a solid desire to prey and chase something.
It is their instinct.
In the past, Labradors retrieved fishing nets.
They also have strong water-hunting instincts.
Therefore, you need to provide them with appropriate activities.
This will help them fulfill their prey needs.
Shepherd Dog Protective Instinct
There are a few famous shepherd dogs.
This includes:
- German Shepherd
- Belgian Malinois
- Caucasian Shepherd.
All of these breeds have strong and protective instincts.
But, if you mix a shepherd with another breed, you won’t be sure about the protective instinct.
An example of a protective dog is an Australian Cattle-German Shepherd mix.
They are very similar to other shepherd mix breeds.
The shepherd’s primary role is livestock guarding.
They are beneficial when protecting from predators.
They are also great family and guard dogs.
If their connection with families is powerful, they are great guards.
Grooming Your Crossbreed Dog
- Regular Grooming Essentials
- Special Care for Shepherds
- Labrador Retriever Groom Needs
Regular Grooming Essentials
Grooming tool | Usage |
Comb brush | Removes tangles and loose fur |
Bristle brush | Adds shine to the coat |
Undercoat rake | Removes undercoat hair |
Nail clippers | Provides safe nail length |
Dog Shampoo | Removes dirt and odor |
Dog Conditioner | Coat moisturizer |
Toothbrush and toothpaste | Maintains oral health (mechanical cleaning) |
Special Care for Shepherds
Shepherds have a double and thick coat.
You should regularly groom your dog.
They love nature wandering.
But long walks and bad weather can destroy their coats.
It is hard to stop their curiosity during the walks in nature.
You have to get used to their behavior.
But you should also get used to their grooming needs.
Shepherds need regular brushing a few times per week.
You should also teach them toothbrushing habits from a young age.
This will maintain their oral health.
Shepherds are massive dogs.
Home grooming can be difficult for both of you.
Therefore, you can book a professional grooming. [8]
Labrador Retriever Groom Needs
Labradors have similar grooming needs as shepherds.
The only difference is in their short and dense coat.
Their coat is waterproof and can make it challenging to shampoo.
If you face difficulties during grooming, we advise professional groomers.
In the United States, there are more than 300,000 groomers.
Therefore, you won’t struggle to find the right one. [9]
Why Caucasian Shepherd Dog Is So Expensive?
Caucasian Shepherd dog is so expensive because they are rare.
Breeders invest a lot in them, so the price is high.
Quality breeders invest a lot of time and money during the process.
Your only job is to find a responsible breeder.
However, a Caucasian Shepherd dog is worth the price.
That is the reason why it is worldwide famous.
References