Is the Great Pyrenees Lab mix a loveable bear-dog?

Last Updated on April 25, 2023

Also known as a Pyrador, Labrenees, Lapyrenees, or Pyrelab, this crossbreed between the Great Pyrenees and Labrador Retriever is a fluffy and adorable designer dog.

With its size and bear-like appearance, the Great Pyrenees Lab mix will surely turn heads.

Great Pyrenees Lab mix in snow

Before deciding on getting this breed, keep reading our guide to discover the pros and cons of owning one.

What is a Pyrador?

As we mentioned at the start of this article, the Pyrador is the mixed-breed offspring of the Labrador and Great Pyrenees. But unlike its purebred parents, this fido isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Still, the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) officially recognizes the Great Pyrenees Lab mix.

They come from a line of canines used for herding and working, but they’re mainly bred to be companion dogs.

Pyradors are relatively new in the designer dog world, but we can take a closer look at each of this breed’s parents to understand better how they’ll turn out.

The Labrador Retriever: An all-around dog

Labrador Retriever sitting on the couch
Meet the lovely Labrador Retriever

First registered by the AKC in 1917, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed in the United States for quite some time now.

But before all that fame, Labs were originally known as the St. John’s Dog in Newfoundland, Canada, where they were used for hunting and retrieving. They help fishermen pull ropes and nets to haul in their catch.

Today, even though they’re often seen as family pets, Labradors are one of the top choices for different jobs, such as service dogs, as well as search-and-rescue, and drug detections.

They may grow up to 25 inches (63 cm) and reach a weight of 80 pounds (36 kg), but this fido is a clever, devoted canine with a gentle nature. You can find this breed in three colors: yellow, chocolate, and black.

The protective yet gentle Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees in greeny grass
The big and huggable Great Pyrenees

Also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, the Great Pyrenees is an ancient breed that served shepherds by protecting their livestock in the Pyrenees Mountains of northern Spain and southern France.

Not only did they become legendary because of their bravery by going against wolves and bears, but they’re also known for their beautiful coat and loveable nature.

They became a favored canine of French noblemen that they were named the National Dog of France by King Louis XIV in the 17th century. By 1933, they were recognized by the AKC.

Great Pyrenees dogs are quite large and can weigh up to 100 pounds (45 kg) and stand about 25 to 32 inches (63 to 81 cm) tall.

What does a Pyrador look like?

Playful Great Pyrenees Lab mix
Source: @chaseig.daily / IG

Great Pyrenees Lab mixes resemble a great white bear with a proud posture. They have a muscular body, then topped off by a thick, long tail.

They have a flat, triangular-shaped ears, and large, round eyes that are typically brown or black.

On the tip of their square muzzle with droopy jowls is a grayish or black nose.

How big will my Great Pyrenees Lab mix get?

The Labrenees is a medium- to a giant-sized pooch. It may be a huge range, but the size of a full-grown Great Pyrenees Lab mix will depend on the parents.

Generally, they have a height of 20 to 32 inches (51 to 81 cm) and weighs 55 to 100 pounds (25 to 45 kg). Some can reach a whopping 120 pounds (55 kg)!

In case you’re wondering, female Great Pyrenees Lab mixes are typically smaller than males of this crossbreed.

Don’t even think about placing this fido in an apartment. They’re best suited for spacious homes with larger-than-average yards. A rural setting is ideal because they’ll have space to roam.

Coat & Color: Fluffy with a clean look

The Great Pyrenees Lab mix has dense coats with a wooly texture. Its double coat is thick and can either be short or long.

They can come in black, gray, or brown colors, but most of them have white fur with yellow or black markings.

To get an idea of what Pyradors can look like, watch this video of a Great Pyrenees Lab mix puppy named Bella:

Temperament: Are Great Pyrenees Lab mixes aggressive?

The Great Pyrenees take its watchdog duty seriously, so you can expect the Pyrelab to be protective. They may growl or bark at anything or anyone that seems like a threat, but they’re not inherently aggressive.

If you have other dogs, cats, and small pets, a Great Pyrenees Lab mix may try to herd them. And if she’s more like her Labrador parent, she’ll be hyperactive and can be prone to chewing.

All these quirks may seem adorable with a pup, but it can get annoying, and it can mean destruction.

Luckily, early socialization and training are excellent ways to deal with undesirable behaviors. It will also help establish what your canine friend can and can’t do.

To distract her mouth away from your favorite shoes and expensive furniture, give your Pyrador a chew toy that can withstand those powerful jaws.

Are Great Pyrenees-Labrador mix good family pets?

Great Pyrenees Lab mix with the little girl
Source: @owenig.daily / IG

With proper training, this crossbreed can be excellent family companions that will know when to welcome new people and behave around other pets.

You’ll love having this intelligent furball, but that can also mean stubbornness and independence.

There’s no need to worry because as long as you’re an experienced dog owner who can be an alpha to its canine buddies, you can use the Pyradors eager-to-please personality to turn things around for the better.

And because of their alert, playful, and loyal personality, you can count on them to be excellent guard dogs.

Is the Labrador & Great Pyrenees mix a good inside dog?

In our opinion, all dogs should stay indoors, especially this crossbreed because of their thick coat. They’ll do best in cold areas as they can quickly overheat.

They should also have unlimited access to clean, fresh water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

When it comes to raising Pyrelabs, they’re relatively easy to care for.

Be prepared to deal with your Great Pyrenees Lab mix’s shedding

Muddy Great Pyrenees Lab mix
Source: @lostwithbuzz / IG

Labradors and Great Pyrenees dogs aren’t hypoallergenic, so is the Pyrador.

Even though this mixed breed is a low maintenance dog, they’re considered heavy shedders that need brushing 3 to 4 times a week – more of it’s shedding season.

To minimize the amount of hair on your dog and in the house, we recommend using a deshedding tool.

Give your pooch a bath every 8 to 12 weeks or when needed. The Great Pyrenees Lab mix’s coat is dirt- and weather-resistant, and overwashing can dry your pet’s hair and skin.

Other regular grooming routines to keep in mind is trimming your pet’s nails and brushing her teeth once a week.

Because of their floppy ears, it should be cleaned two to three times a week to prevent the accumulation of wax and debris. This will also avoid possible ear infections.

Keep your large fido in shape

Fat Great Pyrenees Lab mix

Great Pyrenees Lab mixes require about 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily. You can divide this into two workout sessions a day, and mix in some mental stimulation.

Intelligent breeds can easily get bored, so aside from being physically active, make every day interesting by mixing things up.

Visit the dog park for some socialization, bring her to the zoo to meet other animals, and go to different hiking trails to introduce her to new scents and sights while walking and running.

We recommend that you use a harness and leash that will keep your Pyrador from jumping into people, kids, or other dogs for safety reasons.

We’re sure that you wouldn’t want to run after an enormous canine. That will be a disaster!

At home, puzzles and treat toys can keep your fur baby busy and entertained for quite some time.

What we can assure you is that a tired dog is a happy dog – just like Sky. This video will show you that any time spent between the Great Pyrador and its owner is a day well spent.

Food that your Great Pyrenees Lab mix should eat

Choosing your pet’s diet should always be based on her weight, age, activity level, and health. But it’s good to consider her parent’s background.

Both the Labrador and Pyrenees tend to overeat, making them prone to obesity.

So even if the recommended amount of food to feed your Pyrador is 3 cups of high-quality dry kibbles, it should be a recipe made for large and giant breeds.

They mostly have ingredients that support your dog’s overall health.

Great Pyrenees Lab mix chewing bone
Source: @chaseig.daily / IG

Some owners give their pets supplements that have glucosamine to help keep their joints strong.

Divide their food into three meals a day and stick to a regular feeding schedule. Don’t free-feed or leave her kibbles out when it’s not mealtime.

And no matter how heartbreaking it is to see your pooch begging, never give her table scraps. That french fry won’t do her any good.

Avoid bloat by keeping your Labrador-Great Pyrenees cross from eating her kibbles within a minute using a slow feeder.

Once she’s done eating, let her rest for an hour before letting her play or run around with her fur siblings.

Health: How long do Great Pyrenees Lab mixes live?

Lapyrenees dogs have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Some can enjoy a longer life expectancy depending on how healthy their parents and how they were bred.

It is known that crossbreeds are healthier than purebreds due to hybrid vigor. But even if your Lab & Great Pyrenees dog is considered a healthy breed, she can still suffer from genetic diseases that its parents are predisposed to.

The health problems that the Labrador Retriever and Great Pyrenees can get are elbow and hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament disease, shoulder osteochondritis, osteosarcoma, and degenerative myelopathy.

Visual illnesses are also an issue, such as ectropion, entropion, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Skin concerns can also be possible.

Finding Pyrador puppies for sale

Great Pyrenees Lab mix mother and babies
Source: @owenig.daily / IG

It’s easy to find puppies for sale almost everywhere. But it’s best to stay away from pet stores and online advertisements that don’t provide any background about the pups lineage.

You also don’t want to risk getting a dog that came from puppy mills.

Regardless of the breed you’re looking for, we recommend that you do your research before signing any contract and paying for a puppy.

Only purchase from reputable breeders that allows you to visit the kennel, meet the dogs, answer your questions transparently, and conduct interviews with potential buyers.

If they think it’s a perfect match, they’ll even show you all the documents that will provide information about the pup’s bloodline, medical records, and vaccinations.

Some breeders even offer health guarantees and a return policy.

Wondering how much a Great Pyrenees Lab mix puppy will cost?

The price is around $600 to $1,500. Costs are usually affected by the pup’s availability, the kennel’s popularity, the breeder’s location, as well as the purebred parents’ quality or bloodline.

Great Pyrenees Lab mix breeders & rescues

We weren’t able to find a specific breeder or kennel currently producing Pyradors. After all, this designer dog isn’t that common like Labradoodles.

But adoption is an excellent alternative to getting this crossbreed. Aside from checking local shelters near you, take a look at these rescue sites for Labradors and Great Pyrenees dogs who also care for their respective mixes: 

  1. Great Pyrenees Rescue Society (Spring, TX)
  2. Great Pyrenees Rescue of Atlanta (Roswell, GA)
  3. Labs and More Rescue (Oceanside, CA)
  4. Peak Lab Rescue (Apex, NC)
  5. Big Fluffy Dog Rescue (Nashville, TN)

More Great Pyrenees mixes & Labrador Retriever crossbreeds

We understand that Pyradors aren’t suitable for all types of owners. It’s a good thing that there are other hybrids that you can consider:

  • Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix (AKA Germanees)
  • Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd mix (AKA Aussie Pyrenees)
  • Husky Lab mix (AKA Huskador)
  • Border Collie Lab mix (AKA Borador)

Should you get a Great Pyrenees Lab mix?

Great Pyrenees Lab mix lying on the couch
Source: @jesusig.daily / IG

It depends on how accepting you are of the Pyradors pros and cons. They’re loyal and calm, but can also be playful, which makes them great family pets.

Being protective means they can be excellent guard dogs, but they need early socialization and training from an experienced owner.

Other than that, if you can provide the kind of home and care that this fido needs, you’re granted with a canine companion that’s full of affection and devotion.

Did the fluffy Great Pyrenees Lab mix wow you? Please share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment below. If you own a Pyrador, tell us about your experience with this hybrid, as well!

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