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Labahoula (Labrador Retriever & Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Labahoula dogs on the beach

Height: 20–26 inches
Weight: 55–95 pounds
Lifespan: 10–14 years
Colors: Black, Tan, Yellow, Red/Black/Blue Leopard, Tricolor, Spotted, Patchwork, Multicolor
Suitable for: Active Families, Bird and Game Hunters, Obedience and Agility Trainers, Experienced Dog Owners
Temperament: Energetic, Outgoing, Highly Intelligent, Athletic, Determined, Loyal

Labahoulas are the result of mixing two hunting dogs—the Labrador Retriever and the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog—to create the ultimate working dog hybrid. These athletic dogs have the assertive work drive of the Catahoula with the more even temperament of the Labrador Retriever to balance them out, but they will need hours of daily exercise or a working lifestyle to keep them content.

While they may not be a recognized breed, Labahoulas are growing in popularity for their strong work ethic and unique looks. If you have the time and experience with hunting dogs, a Labahoula puppy might be the right pet for you.

hepper-dog-paw-divider 5Labahoula Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

If you’re looking into Labahoula puppies, take your time to find a reputable and ethical breeder. Make sure they will let you meet the puppy’s parents and visit the breeding facilities. Ensure they share the puppy’s information with you so you know you’re bringing home a healthy puppy.

The Labahoula tends to be a loyal dog. They’re very energetic and outgoing, so be ready for lots of playtime and make sure you can commit enough time to your dog. They love spending time with other human companions and create strong bonds with their families.

Parent Breeds of the Labahoula
Image Credit: (L) Jumpstory | (R) Zuzule, Shutterstock

3 Little-Known Facts About the Labahoula

1. Some Labahoulas Will Have Heterochromia

Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dogs are known for having heterochromia, which causes the iris in one or both eyes to have more than one color. Since they have a high chance of having the condition, many Labahoulas also inherit the trait.


2. The First Known Labahoula Was Bred in the 1980s

Before the designer-dog wave of the 2000s, various types of hunting dogs were being crossed to create the ultimate hybrid. The first purposely known cross of a Labrador Retriever and Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog was bred in the 1980s, but accidental crosses of the two purebreds may have happened earlier.


3. Labahoulas Are Usually First-Generation Hybrids

Unlike Labradoodles and other designer dog breeds, Labahoulas are almost always first-generation hybrids. That means the parents will be purebreds, whereas other designer dogs sell multiple generations of hybrids.

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Labahoula 🧠

While we can generally estimate the temperament of a Labahoula puppy, it’s important to know that hybrids can vary in temperament. Keep this in mind when shopping for any mixed breed; it’s never guaranteed that your Labahoula will behave the way you imagine.

Thanks to the Labrador Retriever, Labahoulas have a gentler temperament than the Catahoula Leopard Dog. They’re rarely aggressive and do well with children, though early socialization is crucial with these dogs.

Labradors are known for excelling in obedience and training, which is one reason they’ve become one of the top breeds in the world. Catahoula dogs are also incredibly smart, often thriving in working and hunting situations. Because Labahoulas are bred from two highly intelligent breeds, it’s safe to say that your puppy will be quick and eager to please.

One habit you may encounter with Labahoulas is their desire to bolt and chase after animals (even larger animals), and you’ll have to prepare yourself for this possibility with your new puppy. A fenced-in yard is an ideal setup for your Labahoula. However, even with consistent training, some Labahoulas will always have an instinct to chase and will have to be leashed for their safety.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

These hunting hybrids can be suitable family dogs if they’re given ample daily exercise. Labahoulas are best suited for active and outdoorsy families that can provide the time and training for this type of dog.

They are great with children and will protect the family, which can be good and bad. Consistent training and early socialization with other adults and children will be vital to prevent your Labahoula from “protecting” the family when it’s not appropriate.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

If you raise your Labahoula in a household that has pets, they can get along with the other animals. However, it may be more difficult to bring in new pets after your Labahoula has been established. Keep this in mind when buying a Labahoula puppy since they can live past 10 years.

Labahoula dog with tongue out
Image Credit: Aneta Jungerova, Shutterstock

Divider 4Things to Know When Owning a Labahoula:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Labahoulas do best on a dry kibble diet that is high in protein with a healthy balance of carbs and fats. Since they’re naturally energetic and will burn a lot of calories, their diet must be carefully formulated to ensure they’re getting the nutrients needed daily. Consult your vet about the best brands of kibble to choose and the amount to feed daily to prevent weight gain or loss.

Exercise 🐕

Exercise is the most critical part of your dog’s day, and Labahoulas will need lots of it. They can spend hours working in the field, so multiple long walks and at least an hour of off-leash running (in a fenced-in location) are needed to keep them from destructive behavior.

Alternatively, Labahoulas can also swim to burn off energy. They are natural-born swimmers and will gladly hop into a pond or lake for a fun game of fetch. If you have or live near a dog-friendly body of water, this is one of many ways to burn off some energy.

Agility is another excellent way to exercise your dog while doubling down on bonding and training. These athletic mixes will excel in agility courses and competitions, which can also turn into a fun hobby for you. As long as your Labahoula is old enough and is cleared by the vet, agility can be a fun and exciting exercise for your dog.

Training 🦮

Consistency, confidence, and positive reinforcement are the keys to training your Labahoula puppy. While they are often eager to please, they can be stubborn and try to become the boss of the house. If you’re not experienced with owning a hunting breed, you may need to look into a professional trainer to gain the confidence necessary to control your dog.

Labahoulas do best with a “job” of some sort, whether being a faithful gundog or working on the farm. That’s why these dogs do best with people that enjoy the outdoors or have active lifestyles, which helps keep their dogs from being bored.

Grooming ✂️

Labahoulas have short coats that can be single or double in layers, and grooming will be easy for this dog. The occasional curry combing and a bath will keep their fur free of odors and dirt. Labahoulas come from two breeds that tend to shed moderately, which can be a deal breaker for some families. The shedding may worsen in winter, so they’re unsuitable for people with moderate to severe dog allergies.

Health Conditions ❤️

Since Labahoulas are not purebreds and are rarely crossed with other Labahoulas, it’s difficult to know what health conditions are common in this breed. The best way to know is to look at the bloodlines of the parents of your Labahoula pup and determine any health patterns. Alternatively, taking a look at the health conditions of the Labrador and the Catahoula Leopard Dog can give you an idea of what you may have to face later on:

Labrador Retriever Health Conditions:
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cancer
  • Seizures
  • Laryngeal Paralysis
  • Arthritis
  • Hypothyroidism
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Health Conditions:
  • Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cataracts
  • Blindness
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Labrador Retrievers have more health issues, but Catahoula dogs that are primarily white are prone to being deaf. However, both the purebreds and the Labahoulas have relatively long lifespans, often exceeding the lifespans of dogs similar in size and weight. Even with the more serious concerns like cancer and hip dysplasia that can be genetically passed down, your Labahoula puppy should have a healthy, long life.

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Male vs Female

Labahoula males and females can have pretty big weight and height differences, so that’s the first thing to consider if you’re looking into this mix. Another thing to consider is that male Catahoulas may be more stubborn or difficult to train, which can be seen in some Labahoulas. But, aside from these main factors, the choice of female or male Labahoula should be a family decision and personal preference.

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Final Thoughts:

The designer dog world wouldn’t be the same without the Labahoula. These eager hunting dog mixes are intelligent, lively, and usually have good-natured temperaments. Labahoulas are perfect for dog owners who enjoy hiking and camping and hunters looking for a potential gun dog.

Their natural athleticism makes them an excellent choice for professional dog trainers and agility competitors since they’re so energetic and designed for work. With adequate exercise, consistency in obedience training, and early socialization, this fun hybrid can become the ultimate family dog. If you’re still interested in a Labahoula, we recommend looking for reputable hybrid breeders with experience with this amazing dog.

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Featured Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock

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