Table of Contents
If you want a pet that’s gorgeous, loving, and loyal, then the Husky Lab mix is the dog for you.
A mix of the playful Labrador and the hardworking Siberian Husky, this relatively new mixed breed has captured the eyes and hearts of millions of dog lovers around the world. And who can blame them? This dog is affectionate, energetic, intelligent, and hardworking. They’re great swimmers and love nothing better than to run beside their owner or play Frisbee with them. They’re also extremely loyal and protective of their families.
The Husky Lab goes by several names – Huskador, Siberian Retriever, or Labsky. Regardless of what you call it, this is one of the most loving animals around.
Love huskies but not sure this particular pup is for you? Check out America’s most popular Husky mix breed dogs.
Weight | Males: 40 to 60 lbs Females: 40 to 55 lbs |
Height | Males: 21 to 25 inches Females: 20 to 24 inches |
Size | Large |
Coat Type | Double coat. Short to medium length |
Coat Color | Black, brown, red, white, yellow or any combination of these colors |
Amount of Shedding | Moderate; has a shedding season |
Eyes | Blue or brown |
Nose | Dark |
Ears | Down |
Temperament | Playful, affectionate, loyal, intelligent, sociable |
Life Expectancy | 10 to 15 years |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Kid Friendly | Yes, especially if socialized early and consistently |
New Owner Friendly | Yes |
Breed Recognition | Dog Registry of America (DRA) |
No one can say for certain what the appearance or temperament of a mixed breed will be since the dog can inherent dominant traits from either parent. For instance, a Husky Lab mix could either be laid-back like a Labrador or hyper as a Husky. It could be prone to barking like its Husky parent or just bark occasionally like a Lab.
However, it’s almost certain that your Lab Husky mix will be lovable and loving. Their affection towards their families, and children, in general, are renowned. It’s what makes them wonderful family pets and playmates for children. It also means this dog doesn’t like being alone.
Labradors don’t do well when left to their own devices for long periods of time. This trait is also found in some Huskies. So it’s not surprising that their hybrid offspring might also have separation anxiety. This will manifest in excessive barking and destructive behavior.
The Husky Lab is also extremely intelligent. It will require lots of mental stimulation to keep it happy and engaged. Unfortunately, this is also why a Huskador shouldn’t be left alone for hours. A bored Husky Lab is a destructive one. It will chew whatever it gets its teeth on or dig around your garden.
It’s essential that you take steps to ensure your dog is kept busy until you return. Invest in lots of chew-resistant dog toys. It also needs access to a large space where it can run and play freely.
Owners who work all day should have a pet walker or arrange with a friend to take the dog to the park. Of course, you should also spend time with your dog once you arrive home.
This hybrid doesn’t like getting wet. It will never step out when it’s raining, so make sure your pet has a warm and safe place to go to when the weather is bad.
Choosing a puppy should entail a more serious consideration than looking at Lab Husky mix puppies and picking the cutest one. You should also think about its health and what gender and temperament are best for you and your lifestyle.
The first step to getting the best dog for you is to find the right breeder. You want to work with legitimate, ethical and caring breeders. Request for a tour of the breeder’s kennel to see if it’s safe and clean. Ask questions on what they’re feeding their dogs, whether they have the space to run around and socialize etc. Verify that the puppies have all been properly vaccinated for their age and are free from parasites like tapeworms. Ask for the name of their veterinarian and double check with them. Take the time to research the breeder. Look for any testimonials or feedback from previous customers.
Give show breeders a wide berth. These organizations typically breed litters for the dog’s appearance and not based on their health, temperament, or strength. It’s better to work with groups that breed for the working dog’s traits as they tend to produce the liveliest and healthiest litters.
Here are some tips for choosing a Husky Lab mix puppy:
Do your research and look for trustworthy breeders like Lancaster Puppies and Greenfield Puppies.
You can also go through the adoption route. Sites like www.adoptapet.com and www.petfinder.com can help you find the best dog for you.
Talk to your local animal shelter or rescue organizations about any Husky Lab hybrids that need a forever home. Here are some groups that can set you on the right path –
Anyone who wants a Husky mixed with Lab should be prepared to devote time to its grooming. As the offspring of a Husky and Lab, expect your dog to shed regularly throughout the year. But brace yourself for spring and autumn. These are prime shedding seasons for this mixed breed.
The copious shedding is due to the Husky’s thick double-coat. A Husky Lab mix that took after its Labrador parent will shed less than the typical Husky but more than the average Lab. If you’re unlucky and your dog took after its Husky parent, then expect an astounding level of hair fall as it sheds its undercoat.
Make sure you groom your dog twice a week. An undercoat rake will make this task more manageable and won’t hurt your dog. It will also keep its coat sleek and beautiful and reduce the amount of falling hair.
But during shedding season, it’s prudent to brush your dog three to five times a week to help control the wayward hair. It’s also a good idea to invest in a vacuum cleaner to keep your home hair-free.
A Husky Lab mix should also be bathed monthly, or whenever it’s dirty. Trim their nails as needed but make sure you clean your dog’s ears at least two times a month. You should also brush its teeth twice a week.
Mixed breed dogs are typically healthier than the parent breeds. But it also means that your Lab Husky mix could be susceptible to the health issues that plage Labradors and Siberian Huskies.
It’s therefore vital that you request the breeder or your vet to conduct a health test on your puppy. This will reveal the presence of any congenital issues.
Your Lab mixed with Husky will be susceptible to arthritis, eye problems, skin conditions, heart issues, and elbow and hip dysplasia. You should also take extra care that your dog doesn’t become obese as it increases the odds it will develop arthritis, dysplasia, and heart problems.
It’s also in your best interest to be on the lookout for symptoms of:
Your Lab Husky should also visit the vet regularly.
It’s a good idea to continue feeding your Husky Lab puppy with the dog food the breeder fed it. You can then wean if off that brand slowly and introduce new food while steadily increasing the ratio. To ensure your Lab Husky mix cub gets all they need to grow up big and strong, try one of the best puppy food brands or some of the best dry dog food for small dogs.
A Husky crossed with Lab pup should be fed three to four times daily. Once it hits six months, feeding can be dropped to just two times a day.
Keep feeding your dog with puppy dog food until it turns a year old. This is because this feed is designed to have more protein, something that a growing puppy needs. Once your pet turns a year old, it should then be fed about 2.5 cups of dry dog feed a day. That is when you can switch to the best dry dog food that undoubtedly all adult doggos enjoy. A dog of the Husky Lab’s stature will also love a meal of any of the best large breed dry dog food options currently on the market.
Choose dry dog food that’s high in proteins. You should actually make sure that a quarter of your Husky Lab hybrid’s food is comprised of protein. Avoid feed that has rendered fats, wheat/corn gluten, and artificial coloring, such as these worst dry dog food choices.
Luckily for owners of Lab Husky mixes, there’s a good selection of high-quality dry dog food out in the market today, like:
You will need to switch up your fellow’s diet once more during their lifetime. Once your pooch reaches a certain age, their bones and overall health become more frail, and they need food that can give them all the necessary nutrients. We have ample suggestions of the best senior dry dog food brands that you could offer your aged pooch. They will also benefit from additional vitamins and minerals, so we suggest including the Nutra Thrive dog food supplement in their diet as well.
A Lab crossed with Husky has amazingly high energy levels. This shouldn’t come as a surprise considering its descended from two energetic working dog breeds.
Your Lab Husky mix will need regular exercise to stay fit and burn off excess energy. So if you’re the type who prefers a lie-in during Saturdays or watching TV in the afternoon, this is not the dog for you.
This dog needs a long walk twice a day. It also enjoys running around the park and playing Frisbee. This crossbreed has a natural affinity to water and loves to swim. Its webbed paws make it a natural in this activity.
Any interactive game will suit this dog perfectly. Families with an active lifestyle and those who love the outdoors will be good matches for the Husky Lab mix. It’s an ideal running or jogging buddy. You can even take it hiking or camping. Exercise is vital to this mixed breed, especially if it has inherited the Labrador’s gene mutation. Labs have a particular gene that has been linked to weight increase. It’s why a lot of Labradors become obese.
This hybrid dog will thrive in homes with a yard where it can run freely. But make sure the fence around your property is strong enough to prevent this dog’s inner escape artist from appearing. It also loves digging holes so you might have to rearrange your garden.
Keep your dog engaged and entertain with these toys –
Obedience training is a must with a Husky Lab mix, and it should start as soon as you bring your dog home. This training will help you develop a positive relationship with your pet while also enabling you to remain in control.
A Husky Lab is a very intelligent canine, and a responsible and patient owner can train their Huskadors themselves. This will go easier if the lessons are done at an early age.
If your Husky Lab crossbreed inherited the Labrador’s capacity to learn things quickly and eagerness to please its family then training will be a breeze. However, there’s also the chance that your pet will be extremely stubborn due to its Husky parentage. In this situation, you’ll have to be extra patient since your pet will have its own ideas on what it wants. Fortunately, this stubborn streak can be tempered with heaps of positive reinforcement and repetition. It’s also important that training is consistent.
Socialization training is also crucial for this dog. Make sure you start socializing your puppy as soon as you bring it home. Invite your friends over or take your pet to different places. The idea is to let it interact with various people and animals.
To make training easier, consider the following tips:
A Lab Husky mix is a great family dog, as long as everyone is on-board with the proper way of handling and training it. Consistency is key to ensure this dog is trained and socialized properly.
This dog suits all types of owners, from single households to families with small children. But you have to make sure you have the time and energy for this dog. You should ask yourself if you have the patience and dedication needed to provide it with the best possible life before getting one.
The Labsky’s high energy levels mean it needs someone with an active lifestyle. This magnificent dog is not the pet for busy employees or those who are away from home for long hours. It’s a people-centered canine that needs a family with the time, energy, dedication, space, and budget for it.
The Husky Lab mix is a unique dog and a fantastic companion. It’s loyal, loving and protective. It needs someone who will love it back; someone who will dedicate the time and effort to ensure its physical and mental requirements are met.