Lab Bernese Mix – An Absolutely Awesome Family Pet

Last Updated on November 11, 2023 by Linda Richard

The Lab Bernese Mix – an absolutely awesome family pet and a larger-than-life dog everyone would be lucky to have in their life. Is everyone right for this breed, however, or are they as complicated to look after as some other large dog breeds? What are the most important characteristics you need to know about these dogs?

We’ll cover all that below together with a quick list of the Pros and Cons of this breed. By the end of this text, you should have a clear idea as to what you can expect from the Bernese mountain dog lab mix.

The Physical Characteristics and Appearance Of The Lab Bernese Mix

The coat of a Labernese can look in various ways. The most common type is full-black but it can also be white, yellow chocolate, or a combination of two or three of these colors. These are the colors of the Labernese’s two parent breeds, after all, the Labrador and the Bernese mountain dog. The coat is also usually either long or medium length and it can dense or wavy in texture.

In terms of size, the Labernese is definitely a large dog even though its exact parameters can vary quite a bit. Most of the time, these dogs are about 24 to 28 inches tall (61 to 71 cm) and can weigh anywhere between 65 and 110 pounds (30 to 50 kg). Female Laberneses will usually be a bit smaller than males.

The Personality Of The Labernese Crossbreed

A true child of its parents, the Bernese mountain dog lab mix is a large dog with a large heart. This crossbreed makes for an excellent family pet as it’s very loving and gentle. The cross is especially good with children as long as they are not small enough for an accident to occur.

This dog does well with large families too as it’s exceptionally social and doesn’t attach to just one person like some other breeds. The breed is also more than intelligent enough to be adaptable in myriad different situations. You can train this dog to do almost anything you want too as its obedience and eagerness to please are commendable. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should skip the early obedience training as that’s always a must.

All this intelligence and sociability do have a drawback too, however – separation anxiety. This is a major risk for a lot of intelligent dog breeds – they just don’t do well when they are left home alone for too long. A dog with separation anxiety will quickly develop destructive tendencies toward your home, will grow disobedient, and eventually even depressed.

The way to avoid all this is to consider any – and as many as possible – of the following:

  • Rearrange your schedule so that you or other family members are always at home.
  • Hire a dog walker or a dog sitter for when you’re away.
  • Give your Labernese a ton of exercise and playtime before you go to work to exhaust the dog.
  • Get as many interactive and anti-anxiety dog toys as possible.
  • Arrange for playdates with fellow dog owners for when you’re away.
  • Consider getting a second dog to keep your Labernese company.

If none of these is an option, the Labernese may not be the right breed for you.

What Are The Exercise Needs Of The Lab Bernese Mix?

The Labernese is not just large but also a very active breed. Like its parents, this mix requires an outdoorsy type of person to live with. A couple of hours of active playtime outside is a must, either on a leash or in a fenced dog park. If you have a well-fenced yard, it’s good to let your dog there for a few more hours a day too. However, the yard is no substitute for running in the dog park on across the neighborhood.

Simply put – it’d be best if you have an avid jogger in your family. That, plus some yard time should give your Bernese mountain dog lab mix enough exercise to keep It healthy. If that’s not feasible for your lifestyle and schedule, you might want to look into a less active dog breed.

Health Specifics That Are Important To Know When Looking At Labernese Puppies

Another awesome aspect of this breed is that the Labernese is quite healthy overall. You should still be on the lookout for some conditions such as Hip Dysplasia, bloating, and certain heart conditions, but those are avoidable with the right care. A good diet coupled with plenty of exercise and regular vet check-ups should guarantee your Labernese a healthy and long 10 to 12 years of life.

Another key component of that would be to get your pup from a reputable breeder too. Such a breeder should offer you a health certificate for the pup and guarantee the absence of any negative genetic predispositions. You should also ask for the health certificates of the pup’s parents as well as to see them and their litter personally.

 labernese puppies

Learn more about: What Size Collar For Lab Puppy Should You Get And When?

Pros and Cons Of The Lab Bernese Mix

Pros:

  • A very intelligent and social breed that’s great with children and large families
  • Labernese dogs are very playful and energetic, making them excellent companions for outdoorsy people
  • These dogs are quite healthy too, especially with the right care

 

Cons:

  • The Bernese mountain dog lab mix requires near-constant human company and attention
  • These dogs can be a strain on your work schedule as they need a lot of time outdoors

Is The Lab Bernese Mix Right For You?

To figure out if the Bernese mountain dog lab mix is right for you, the main question you should ask yourself is how much time are you willing to spend outdoors. Are you a jogger? Is jogging something you’re planning and you’re looking for a running buddy? Are you sure you won’t change your mind in a couple of months and ditch your new pup in a shelter? Also – are you willing and capable to spend enough time with your new Labernese pal?

If the answers to all of those questions were an emphatic “Yes!”, the Labernese may just be the perfect dog for you.

Read more about: What Are the Key Lab Terrier Mix Size, Personality, Looks, and Health Characteristics?

Linda Richard

I know that all dog breeds are different, but Labradors exude a special energy, don’t they? I believe everyone deserves the unconditional love of a pet, so my main goal is to make sure you can experience it.

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