Rat Terrier Labrador Mix (Lab-Rat) – Hybrid Dog Breed Info

Lab-Rat is a hybrid-designed dog breed resulting in Rat Terrier and Labrador mix. Hybrid or designer dogs result from cross-breeding between two separate dog breeds.

In other words, these dogs do not descend from the same breed; instead, they inherit genes from parents that belong to distinct breeds.

Although one cannot precisely comment on when or why dog cross-breeding started, it is evident that these hybrid dogs were developed to create dogs with unique looks and personalities.

Today just like purebred dogs, hybrid dogs have also become extremely popular among dog lovers. Through this article, we are talking about a mixed dog breed known as Lab-Rat the beautiful result of the Rat Terrier and Labrador Retriever mix.

You might have already heard of this breed, or you might not; either way, this article will help you to get a comprehensive understanding of Lab-Rats.

Lab-Rat is the hybrid dog breed developed through cross-breeding Rat-Terriers and Labradors. Both Rat Terriers and Labrador Retrievers are well-known family pets you can find in plenty of households.

The parent dogs manifest unique physical and behavioral traits that clearly distinguish the two breeds. Therefore the combination of these two dogs certainly makes an interesting hybrid breed.

Lab-Rat is typically a medium-sized dog that may contain fair proportions of physical characteristics from both parent dogs or relatively more characteristics from one parent. A Lab-Rat could be as affectionate, gentle, and intelligent as a Labrador and fierce, active, and curious like a Rat Terrier. All put together, Lab-Rats are one-of-a-kind dogs. 

When getting ourselves a dog, we pay attention to plenty of factors. The most important thing is selecting the correct breed.

Some might be reluctant to have hybrid dogs, thinking they might be more challenging to raise than purebred ones. Whether it is a hybrid or a purebred dog, a dog owner has a significant amount of duties to fulfill.

Although you have zero experience raising a dog, if you are keen enough to learn, you will quickly get the hang of it and eventually become a great dog parent.

Feel free to refer to the sub-sections below to learn about this wonderful hybrid dog breed.

Fast Facts : Rat Terrier And Labrador Mix (Lab-Rat / Rat-A-Dor)

Origin of Rat Terrier and Labrador Retriever mix

Studying the origins of dog breeds is quite interesting because they have fascinating histories associated with them. However, there is only a limited amount of information regarding the origin of most of the hybrid breeds, including Lab-Rats.

On the good side, there is a lot of information regarding the history of their parent breeds. So by observing that, we can get a general idea of the origin of this mixed dog breed. 

To begin with, Rat Terrier is a hunting dog breed developed in the early 1900s in the United States. These dogs were specifically bred to hunt rats which is why they are known as Rat-Terriers in the first place.

Labradors have their earliest roots in the Canadian province of Newfoundland around the 1500s. Labradors were also bred as hunting dogs. They were developed as waterdogs, and fishermen used them to jump into the waters and catch fish.

This breed was imported to England in the 1800s, and many believe this was when the Labradors started to develop as a proper breed, which gives the notion that they are a British dog breed.

If we observe the roots of their hybrid version, Lab-Rat, they do not have a long history like their parents; they have gained prominence only in recent years. 

The appearance of Rat Terrier and Labrador mixes

Hence the parent dogs have apparent differences in their physical characteristics; it is not easy to pinpoint what a Lab-Rat would look like.

As mentioned in the beginning, perhaps a Lab-Rat is a fair blend of Labradors and Rat Terriers; if not, they get more looks from one breed over the other. 

Rat Terriers are typically small-sized dogs, contrary to that Labradors are medium to large dogs. Lab-Rats are often medium-sized dogs.

They may have an average weight of 20-60 pounds and a height of 15-20 inches. You cannot always entirely rely on these measures; there are possibilities that a Lab-Rat may have higher or lower weights and heights than the average range.

Lab-Rats get a short lengthed smooth coat, and the coat color significantly varies according to parents.

Most of the time, they get black, white, yellow, and chocolate colored coats. These dogs could get flopped ears but also erect or semi-erect ones. 

How big do Rat Terrier and Labrador Retriever mix get?

This is a tricky question to answer due to the vast difference between the sizes of Rat Terriers and Labradors. Rat Terriers belong to the small dog category.

They typically weigh 10-20 pounds and stand up to 10-18 inches tall. Labradors are medium or large-sized dogs.

They usually have a weight of 55-80 pounds and a height of 20-23 inches. In most cases, their hybrid version is a medium dog.

A healthy full-grown Lab-Rat could weigh around 20-60 pounds and have an average height of 15-20 inches. Still, there’s plenty of room to change these measures. Genes are the predominant feature that determines the growth of a Lab-Rat. 

The temperament of Rat Terrier and Labrador mix

The combination of Rat Terriers and Labradors creates dogs with intriguing personalities. The parent breeds share some similar temperaments, but they also have distinct characters.

Lab-Rats are generally playful, friendly, intelligent, and affectionate family friends. Both parent breeds have outgoing personalities, and so do Lab-Rats.

Labradors are generally gentle dogs; they like to get along even with strangers, but Rat Terriers are not. Therefore it is not unusual for a Lab-Rat to become a bit spunky and willful.

This is why you have to pay sufficient attention to their socialization. Early socialization and positive reinforcement help them mitigate their stubborn behavior and become great family dogs. 

How long do Rat Terrier and Labrador mix dogs live?

The lifespan of dogs slightly differs from one breed to the other. Rat Terriers typically live around 14-18 years which is an excellent life span for a dog.

The life expectancy range of Labradors is 10-12 years. Based on the genetic formation, small dogs usually live longer than large ones; that is why Rat Terriers have a longer lifespan than Labradors.

As the hybrid result of these two dog breeds, the life expectancy of a Lab-Rat could vary in specific ways. However, they are likely to live up to 10-14 years.

How much do Rat Terrier and Labrador mix puppies cost?

There isn’t a fixed price for Lab-Rats as their cost can vary for several reasons, primarily based on the parents’ bloodline.

Both purebred Rat Terriers and Labradors typically cost around 700-1500 US Dollars, and according to their bloodline and breeder’s reputation, the price of a Lab-Rat could go beyond the average.

If you find Lab-Rats for meager prices, be considerate enough to find out why. It is always better to get the puppies from a reputed breeder.

Maintenance tips for Rat Terrier and Labrador Retriever mix

No matter what breed they belong to, maintenance is a must for any dog. Therefore you should educate yourself on the basics of maintaining a Lab-Rat.

Proper maintenance aids your Lab-Rat in staying happy and healthy. Below you can find some essential tips regarding the upkeep of this hybrid dog breed.

• Follow a grooming schedule

Although it is easy to groom a Rat-Terrier, the grooming needs of a Labrador are relatively complex. Therefore the grooming requirements of a Lab-Rat may vary accordingly.

However, it is necessary to stick with a grooming schedule. Give monthly baths to your Lab-Rat and brush them depending on their coat texture.

It is preferable to brush them at least once a week. If their coat is thicker, you can increase the brushing frequency.

Apart from that, pay enough attention to cleaning their ears, brushing their teeth, and trimming their nails. 

• Give them nutritional food, and sufficient exercise

Dogs have different dietary requirements. When it comes to a Lab-Rat’s regular diet, you should be aware of the quality and quantity of food.

You can feed them dog food, but it is essential to add raw meats, veggies, and fruits to their meals. Two meals per day would be enough for a Lab-Rat. Ensure you don’t overfeed them as they are prone to obesity.

Meantime, Lab-Rats also require regular exercise to stay fit and healthy. Generally, this breed has good energy; hence you can grab them for long walks for around one hour daily. 

• Do occasional veterinary checkups 

It is not bizarre that a Lab-Rat inherits health complexities from both Rat Terriers and Labradors. Some such concerns are joint dysplasia, patellar luxation, and OCD.

To avoid the severeness of the health complexities, take them to a vet as soon as you spot sudden and frequent changes in the dog.

Mixed breed dogs are prone to genetic issues, but getting the puppy from a reputed breeder can reduce the risks.

Still, you can do occasional veterinary checkups to ensure your dog is keeping healthy. 

Final thoughts about the Lab-Rat breed

Through this article, we talked about an exceptional hybrid dog breed. Lab-Rat is a mixed dog resulting from Rat Terriers and Labradors.

Lab-Rats get unique looks and personalities from both parents. Sometimes Lab-Rats can be a handful to deal with, but they make great family dogs.

If you need a unique dog, you can definitely consider having a Lab Rat. Stay tuned with Jack Russell Owner for more interesting posts about our four-legged furry friends.