It can be challenging to determine what breed your labrador is mixed with. Maybe you suspect your labrador is mixed with a pit bull—but how can you be sure? Luckily, you can pay attention to some signs to help you find the answer.
Here are 9 signs your labrador is mixed with a pit bull:
- Your dog’s face is wider face than most labradors.
- Your labrador’s ears are small and pointy.
- Your labrador has a tight, muscular body.
- You noticed that your lab is quiet and calm.
- The coat is shorter and smoother than a pure labrador.
- The mouth is small and not droopy.
- Your lab has a slender neck with less loose skin.
- Your labrador has small, upward slanting eyes.
- Your lab looks happy even with its mouth closed.
This article will discuss these signs in greater detail. Read on if you need help figuring out whether your labrador is mixed with a pit bull or not.
1. Your Dog’s Face Is Wider Than Most Labradors
Labradors generally have a slimmer face than pit bulls. When they’re mixed, their face becomes wider; this isn’t necessarily the case all the time, but it is in most cases.
If you’re not sure whether your dog’s face is wider than a normal labrador or not, you should compare it to a photo of a labrador. Alternatively, you could compare it to a labrador in real life if you know anyone else who has one.
If you compare your dog with another labrador and its face looks wider, especially in the top half, there’s a high chance that it’s mixed with a pit bull.
2. Your Labrador’s Ears Are Small and Pointy
Purebred labradors have long, floppy ears that usually reach down to the mouth. On the other hand, pit bulls have much smaller ears. So, when a labrador is mixed with a pit bull, the ears are usually on the smaller side.
Charles Darwin initially came up with the theory that labradors have floppy ears due to domestication. The theory states that since labradors are generally not on high alert or in danger anymore, their ears don’t need to perk up as much to detect any threats.
A labrador’s ears are one of its most prominent stand-out traits, so if yours has small, pointy ears, it’s another tell-tale sign that your dog has a pit bull mix.
3. Your Labrador Has a Tight, Muscular Body
Over the years, many pit bulls have been bred for the sole purpose of fighting other dogs. So, it’s no surprise they have slender, athletic bodies. Labradors aren’t as athletically built as pit bulls and usually have a flabbier body.
Since labradors were initially bred as companions and to help fishermen haul fish from the sea, there was never a need for them to be strong or super athletic, but they were still somewhat athletic.
If you notice your labrador has a tight, muscular body, it might be possible that it’s mixed with a pit bull. You may also see that its body has a more clearly-defined shape if it’s mixed with a pit bull.
4. You Noticed That Your Lab Is Quiet and Calm
Pit bulls are known to be highly loyal to their human companions, so your labrador is likely affectionate and trustworthy if it’s mixed with a pit bull. Purebred labradors are also friendly and loving dogs, so it can be hard to tell whether it’s mixed with a pit bull or not from this one sign.
Additionally, if your labrador is calm and easy-going, there’s a chance it has a pit bull mix. Labradors mixed with pit bulls are quiet, friendly, and easy-going, and they can also be highly energetic and need a lot of time to play. If this is the case with your labrador, it may be a sign that it’s mixed with a pit bull!
5. The Coat Is Shorter and Smoother Than a Pure Labrador
Another sign of a labrador pitbull mix is a shorter, slightly smoother coat. Purebred labradors have smooth coats, but they’re not as smooth as pit bulls. Additionally, although labs have short coats, they tend to grow longer hair in certain areas, such as the chest.
On the other hand, pit bulls have short hair all over their bodies, so a labrador mixed with a pit bull will generally have a shorter coat than a purebred labrador. If your labrador has a short and extra smooth coat, it may be mixed with a pit bull.
6. The Mouth Is Small and Not Droopy
Purebred labradors often have large, droopy mouth areas, whereas pit bulls have smaller mouths. So, when a labrador is mixed with a pit bull, you’ll likely notice the mouth is small.
Additionally, the facial shape of a labrador pitbull mix is generally more defined than that of a purebred labrador, which is especially true for the bottom half of the face.
If you’re unsure whether or not your lab is mixed with a pit bull, you should compare its mouth area with a regular labrador’s. You’ll likely notice that your dog’s face (especially the lower half) is more defined, and you’ll probably see that it has a more petite mouth.
7. Your Lab Has a Slender Neck With Less Loose Skin
If your labrador pitbull mixed dog is healthy and fit, you should notice that it has a more slender neck compared to a purebred labrador. If you look at pictures of labradors online or at a labrador in person, you’ll probably notice it has a wide neck with some loose skin.
Now, compare your dog with what you’re looking at; if you notice your dog’s neck is more slender and has less loose skin than the labrador you’re comparing it to, there’s a chance it could be mixed with a pit bull.
If your labrador has a more slender neck than other labradors, you should also look for other signs that it’s mixed with a pit bull. This sign alone won’t confirm anything because it’s a very general characteristic!
8. Your Labrador Has Small, Upward Slanting Eyes
The shape of a purebred labrador’s eyes is generally round, but they can also slant downward. It can vary from dog to dog, but this is generally how their eyes are shaped.
If your labrador is mixed with a pit bull, you’ll likely notice that the eyes are smaller and slanting upward rather than downward. This is one of the tell-tale signs, so you should pay attention to the shape of your labrador’s eyes if you want to determine whether or not it’s mixed with a pit bull.
Additionally, it’s only possible for purebred labradors to have brown, black, or hazel-colored eyes. However, it’s common for pit bulls to have green eyes. So, if your labrador has green eyes, there’s a high chance it’s mixed with a pit bull.
You should still keep in mind that labrador pit bull mixes can have brown eyes, so if your labrador has brown eyes, it could still be mixed with a pit bull!
9. Your Lab Looks Happy Even With Its Mouth Closed
If you look at any labrador with its mouth closed, you’ll see that it looks sad or even angry. That’s not because it’s mad; it’s just the way a labrador’s mouth looks when it’s closed and not moving.
However, a labrador with a pit bull mix will have a less sad look on its face when its mouth is closed, and it might even look like a slight grin. Keep in mind that this only applies when the dog’s mouth is closed; if the mouth is open, you won’t be able to tell.
To see whether your labrador looks sad or not with its mouth closed, you should observe it. If you notice a sad, droopy-looking mouth, it’s unlikely to be mixed with a pit bull. However, if you see a more happy-looking smile while its mouth is closed, there’s a higher chance it could be mixed with a pit bull!