Labany, the Brittany Labrador Retriever Mix Explained

A Brittany can hunt birds all day and still bounce around the truck at dusk. A Lab can do the same, then fall asleep on your feet. The Labany sits right between them: a medium-sized, sweet, very busy bird dog that wants to be outside with you and inside with you, in that order.

The Labany is a cross between a Brittany and a Labrador Retriever. Most weigh about 35 to 65 lbs and stand 17 to 23 inches tall, with a friendly, eager, high-energy temperament. I’d only suggest one for people who are outdoors for an hour or more every day, because both parents were bred to work in the field from sunrise to sunset.

What is a Labany?

A Labany, also called a Brittador or Brittany Lab mix, combines the Brittany with the Labrador Retriever. It’s a designer mix, not a recognized breed. Hybrid registries such as the American Canine Hybrid Club and the Dog Registry of America list it, but no major kennel club has a standard.

Here are the quick facts:

These ranges are my estimates, built from the AKC figures for both parents. Mixes vary a lot, even within one litter.

Where the Brittany Lab mix comes from

Both parents are sporting dogs, but they didn’t do the same job, and I think that’s what makes this mix interesting.

The Brittany comes from the Brittany region of northwest France, where hunters developed it as a compact pointing dog. It finds birds, freezes to point them, then retrieves them after the shot. It was recognized by the AKC in 1934, and in 1982 it dropped “Spaniel” from its official name, because it works more like a pointer than a flushing spaniel. The AKC Brittany profile describes it as bright, upbeat and fun-loving, which sounds about right to me for a dog bred to cover a field at speed.

The Labrador comes from Newfoundland, where its ancestors retrieved nets and fish for fishermen. British breeders refined it as a gun dog, and today it works as a guide, service, therapy and detection dog.

It was also the AKC’s most popular dog for over three decades.

So the Labany has a pointer’s nose and a retriever’s mouth. Most live as family companions, but plenty still hunt with their owners.

Size and appearance

I’d call Labanys medium to medium-large dogs, and they’ve usually got an athletic, lean build. Some look like a slim Lab with feathered ears. Others look like a bigger, heavier Brittany with a Lab’s broad head.

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Here’s how the parents compare, using AKC figures:

That weight gap’s wide. A Brittany is about half the weight of a big Lab, so expect real variation in a litter. Working-line Labs tend to be lighter than show-line Labs, which also pulls the size down.

Coat and colors

The coat’s usually short to medium, flat or slightly wavy, with some feathering on the ears, chest, belly and legs. A few Labanys come out with a curly or wiry coat. It isn’t hypoallergenic, and it sheds.

Colors depend on which parent’s genes win, and you won’t know until the pup’s born. Here’s what I’d expect:

• Orange and white, or liver and white, from the Brittany
• Roan, a speckled mix of white and colored hairs
• Solid black, yellow or chocolate from the Lab
• Black and white or tricolor patches now and then

Nose color usually matches the coat: black, brown or a lighter liver shade.

Labany temperament and personality

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Most Labanys I’ve read about are friendly, affectionate and happy to meet anyone. They’re usually good with children and strangers, and they bond tightly with their family.

This is how the parents compare:

Two things stand out to me in that table. Both parents score 5 out of 5 for energy, so there’s no calm side to balance things out. And both score 5 for trainability, which is great news: Labanys are smart and quick, and many people find them easy to train. My guide to how smart Labradors are covers the Lab side.

Brittanys can be soft and a little shy, especially without early socialization. Some Labanys inherit that sensitivity. Harsh corrections can make them anxious, so I’d stick with calm, upbeat training.

Labanys often hate being left alone, and I don’t blame them. Many become very attached to their people, and long days alone can lead to separation anxiety, chewing and barking.

With other pets, most Labanys get along with dogs. Birds, chickens and small pets are another story. The Brittany’s bird-dog instinct runs strong, and a Labany may point, stalk or chase anything with feathers.

Training a Labany

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Start early. I can’t stress that enough. Socialization and basic manners from 8 weeks help a Labany grow into a confident adult and ease any shyness from the Brittany side. Use positive reinforcement methods: food, toys and praise for the right behavior.

These are the skills I’d put first:

1. Name recognition and a solid “come”, practiced on a long line.
2. Sit, down and a “place” mat for settling indoors.
3. Loose-leash walking (bird dogs love to pull toward smells).
4. “Leave it”, for birds, trash and anything dead on the trail.
5. Short alone-time practice in a crate.

From my experience with retrievers, the dogs that settle best indoors are the ones that get to use their nose and brain outside. Labanys love a job. Try scent work, agility, dock diving, barn hunt or field training. Fetch is a natural fit too, and my guide on teaching a Lab to fetch works well for Labanys.

Here’s a playful Labany working through some games in the yard:

Exercise needs

I’d plan on about 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day for a healthy adult Labany, and many will happily take more. A gentle stroll won’t do it. They need to run.

Swimming suits most Labanys, especially Lab-leaning ones. Buck has spent his whole life chasing dock bumpers into cold water, and I’d expect a Labany to do the same.

Without enough exercise, Labanys get creative. Expect chewing, digging, barking and zooming laps around the house. When Buck was 10 months old and left alone in the yard, he chewed through a heavy-duty nylon leash and half a wooden patio chair leg in under 20 minutes. Energy has to go somewhere.

Labanys can live in a city if their exercise happens every day, but a house with a fenced yard and nearby trails makes life easier for everyone.

Labany health and lifespan

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Most Labanys live about 11 to 14 years, which I’m always glad to see. The AKC lists 11 to 13 years for Labs and 12 to 14 for Brittanys. Choosing a puppy from health-tested parents and keeping it lean are the two biggest things you can do to help it reach the upper end. My guide to Labrador life expectancy goes into more detail.

These are the conditions I’d watch for:

Common Labrador health problems include joint disease, ear infections, skin problems and obesity, and Brittanys share several of them.

Brittanys are also linked to thyroid disease in dogs, which a simple blood test can pick up. I’d ask about it at any senior checkup.

Mixed-breed dogs aren’t automatically healthier, whatever you’ve heard. Hybrid vigor helps a little when parents aren’t related, but a puppy can still inherit problems both parents carry. Ask for OFA or PennHIP hip and elbow results, a recent eye exam and DNA tests on both parents.

I’m not a vet. If your Labany limps, has a seizure or seems off, call yours.

Feeding a Labany

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Most adult Labanys eat around 2.5 to 3 cups of a quality dry food a day, split into two meals. That’s only a starting point, so check the label for your dog’s weight and adjust by body condition and activity. Hunting dogs in season may need more.

For puppies, a large-breed puppy formula is a smart choice if your Labany is likely to end up over about 50 lbs. These foods control calcium and calories so joints grow at a steady pace.

A few things I’d keep in mind:

• Pick a complete food that meets AAFCO standards for your dog’s life stage
• Count training treats
• Feel for ribs every couple of weeks
• Talk to your vet before starting a joint supplement

Brittanys can have dry skin, and many owners ask their vet about fish oil for dogs, which supplies omega-3 fatty acids for skin and joints. Buck gets a joint supplement with glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3s for his elbow, and it brought back his morning bounce in about three weeks. Your vet should decide what’s right for your dog.

Grooming

Grooming’s easy compared to many mixes, and I’m grateful for that with any Lab cross. My grooming kit for a Labany:

• A slicker brush for feathered ears and legs
• A rubber curry brush for short coats
• Nail clippers or a grinder
• Ear cleaner

Brush once or twice a week, and more during spring and fall sheds. Labs have a water-repellent double coat that sheds dirt easily, so Labanys usually need a bath only when they’re visibly dirty. Check and dry the ears after every swim, since floppy, feathered ears trap moisture. Trim nails every few weeks, and brush teeth a few times a week.

Is a Labany right for you?

Based on my research, the happiest Labanys belong to people who were already spending most weekends on a trail or in a field. My honest checklist:

A Labany is a good fit if:

• You’re out hiking, running, hunting or swimming most days, rain or shine
• You want a friendly, trainable family dog
• Somebody’s home much of the day
• Dog sports or field training sound fun

Skip it if:

• Free-range chickens live at your place
• Your dog would be alone 8+ hours a day
• You’re hoping for a calm couch dog
• Daily exercise in rain and cold isn’t realistic for you

Adopting or buying a Labany

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I’d always check rescues first. You’d be surprised how many sporting mixes are waiting. Brittany and Lab rescues both take in mixes, and high-energy sporting dogs often land in shelters when owners can’t keep up. Adult dogs usually come vaccinated, spayed or neutered and microchipped, and their energy level is already clear. It’s the advice I give for every mix on LabraJoy: look at adoption first.

Breeder puppies have often been priced around $300 to $600, though costs vary by region. If you buy, look for a breeder who:

• Shows hip and elbow results for both parents
• Shares eye exams and DNA test results
• Lets you meet the mother and see where the puppies are raised
• Talks honestly about energy and exercise needs
• Asks you questions too

Walk away from anyone who can’t show health results.

FAQ

My final word

A Labany isn’t a lazy dog, and it won’t pretend to be one. But if you’re out on the trail anyway, it’s hard to imagine a happier, friendlier partner bouncing along beside you, nose down, tail going a mile a minute.