Husky Lab Mix – Full Breed Info

The Husky Lab Mix, also known as a Huskador, Labsky, or a Siberian Retriever, is what you get when a Siberian Husky mates with a Labrador Retriever. This medium-sized to large dog breed is a mix between the Husky and the Labrador Retriever, more popularly known as the Siberian Retriever but this beautiful and adorable designer dog should not be confused with the Labrador Husky, which is a totally different breed.

It does not really matter which is the mother and father, but what really matters is that both the parents are purebreds. These very loveable crossbreeds are an unpredictable mix of two favorite dog breeds.

The Husky Lab Mix is one of the most popular Lab Mixes and nowadays, they are not bred for any specific form of work but are instead bred to be loving family pets and companions. Currently, they are not registered with any Kennel Clubs because they’re a relatively new designer breed.

History of the Husky Lab Mix

The Husky Lab mix as we have mentioned above is a relatively new cross between two favorite dog breeds; the Siberian Husky and the Labrador Retriever. Labskies were initially bred intentionally in the 1990s, although their original country of origin has not been generally recognized and accepted.

Because of their novelty, not much is known about this designer dog but we would look at the history of the parent breeds to know more. The history of the Labsky’s parent breeds goes back a very long way.

The Siberian Husky has existed for over 3000 years. You should not be surprised to learn that the breed is known today as the Siberian Husky originated in Siberia, Russia. Huskies are generally known as working dogs.

Traditionally, it is a Husky’s job to pull a sled for transportation and they have been doing this for as long as anyone can remember. Historically, they helped humans out with hunting, gathering food, firewood, supplies, and other necessities.

The Siberian Huskies were bred particularly to live together and collaborate with people. They’re usually very good with young children and adults alike. Generally, they make for fiercely loyal pets and good guard dogs.

The Labrador Retriever dog breed originates from Newfoundland, not Labrador, as you might have thought because the dog’s name suggests. An ancient breed believed to have existed as early as the 1500s, the Labrador Retriever was originally bred for retrieving as its name suggests, and also for duck hunting.

These days, the Labrador Retriever has become known as one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and usually ranks as the most famous dog breed of all, according to the American Kennel Club. Labs are working dogs, born and bred with a job to do and they are very active dogs.
The husky lab mix, because of its parent breeds is reasonably expected to be a very affable, loyal, and active dog.

Appearance and size

Mixed-breed dogs are an unpredictable and irregular combination of the two parent breeds, so it is not really possible to know exactly what they will look like before they are born. Sometimes a puppy can look like a Husky, and some can look like a Labrador but it is hard to find a Labsky with an equal split of features.

Usually, each puppy’s appearance will be a unique mix of the parent breeds with males possibly being a little bit larger than females. A full-grown Husky Lab mix should weigh around 40 to 60 lbs (18 to 27 kg). They stand between 20 to 23 inches (50 to 59 cm) in height.

Most of these crossbreeds have a stunning appearance because of their multi-colored coats. Husky Lab Mixes’ coat can be a wide selection of colors including black, yellow, brown, white, copper, and grey. They can also be an attractive, beautiful mix of colors as often seen in Siberian Huskies. They also have double coats which feel silky.

Another common trait found in a Labsky is heterochromia. They can have two different colored eyes; this is not harmful and occurs naturally. He could have brown or blue eyes or one of each. A Husky Lab mix may have either be upright ears(inherited from the Husky) or flopped down ears (like the Labrador). Labskies are usually athletic and lean breeds with very expressive faces. You can rest assured that Labskies are mostly beautiful.

Grooming

Grooming is as crucial with a Labsky as it is with other breeds. A Labsky’s double coat requires attention. You will need to brush your dog’s double coat at least once or even twice a day to lessen the chances of the dog’s coat getting matted and also to remove dead fur and any debris clinging to it.

The Husky Lab mix does not require a lot of maintenance in terms of grooming. Husky Lab Mix is an average shedder however, this average shedding may increase during seasonal times like autumn and spring. To reduce the mess of their shedding, you can make use of an undercoat rake to make the shedding process much more comfortable for your dog and you can use a vacuum cleaner to manage the mess.

They will need steady periodical grooming at least twice a week along with other normal tasks like flea treatment, nail clipping, and cleaning their ears. Dogs are usually prone to ear infections so be sure to check and wipe your dog’s ear with a clean cloth. Siberian Huskies have been known to suffer from dental issues, so it is important to brush your Labsky’s teeth and keep up with good at-home dental care.

Temperament

Having a crossbreed is like a gamble because it could inherit from either parent breed. The same is applicable to a Labsky however they are generally very active and loveable. That means that there is a wide array of potential Labrador and Husky mix temperaments that are possible in any Labsky puppy. Your puppy may display a peaceful Labrador temperament or a more exciting Husky temperament.

This intelligent dog breed would be an excellent companion and is generally friendly. The Husky Lab Mix is a very loving dog that is known to also be patient and they are the popular choice for a family pet. Labskies are lively and even-tempered dogs, they have a lot of energy and always seek attention. The Husky Lab mix is unusual for dogs, especially because they love spending time in the water.

Although Labskies have the inclination to bark, he is calm and generally well-behaved. Husky Lab Mixes are protective of their owners and are likely to bark to alert others if they see their owners in distress or trouble. It is also advisable to keep your Labsky away from smaller creatures like cats and squirrels because of their prey instincts. The Labsky will need to be around people constantly, lots of exercise, toys, and mental stimulation to stay happy.

Health

Labskies are generally fairly healthy dogs however, the Labsky breed is likely to be affected by some of the same conditions that the Siberian Husky and Labrador Retriever also face. All dogs are predisposed to inheriting genetic diseases from their parents and crossbreed dogs are no exception It is very important to maintain good care and regular routine veterinary checkups to detect any health issues early.

Some diseases you should be on the lookout for in your Labsky include epilepsy, heart problems, and joint dysplasia, and ear infections. Obesity can also be a real health concern; meaning they are more prone to arthritis and other joint conditions. As Labskies can also be inclined to having heart conditions, you want to keep a close eye on their weight.

Statistics usually shows that a Husky Lab mix might live from 10 to 13 years, which is generally considered an accurate and okay lifespan range for these designer dogs. So as long as your Labsky is kept on a healthy diet, exercises regularly, and is taken to do routine checkups, he would be good.

Training and Exercise

All pups need regular and orderly training sessions in order to become well-behaved adults. This is true in all cases regardless of the breed or mix of the pup and the same applies to the Husky lab mix. Training could be simple if your Labsky inherits more traits from the Lab parent in temperament. Labradors have a very high level of energy, but they are also people pleasers.

They are always eager to please. They will relish learning new tricks and following commands and because of this, introducing new tricks into your Labsky’s training regimen will assist to keep them mentally stimulated, happy, and keep boredom at bay. On the other hand, if your Labsky inherits more traits from the Husky parent, you’re going to need to exercise some patience and consistency with its training.

The Husky naturally has a tendency to be an independent thinker and may not appreciate or enjoy learning new things the same way their Labrador counterpart would. Always use positive encouragement and do not punish your dog for not following your commands.

Overall, you need to be firm and consistent with the training regimen of your dog. It is advisable to start training your dog from a young age and hopefully, your dog will not adopt a stubborn attitude.

Both the Labrador and the Husky are strong, athletic, and have high levels of energy. And while the Husky is not as energetic as their Labrador counterpart, they still have as much need when it comes to proper exercise and fun. You should prepare to exercise your Labsky for at least an hour a day and this exercise could include hikes, runs, long walks and swimming.

The Husky has a natural impulse to run so you will need to keep your Husky Lab on a leash during recreational outings. For days when a walk might not be possible, you can add some indoor games like fetch to their list of activities.

Indoor games are a good way to keep Labskies focused and busy so they do not develop their own games and destroy things in the house. Lab mixes have the risk of having hip dysplasia, so you need to watch out with younger dogs and keep their exercise at appropriate levels. Not too little and not too much!

Why you should get a Husky Lab Mix and where you can get them

Many people who have Labskies would like to describe their dogs as fiercely loyal and exceptionally active. These super adorable dogs make for very devoted family pets, and they’re usually very easy to train and they can learn new commands quickly. However, you need to take into account whether or not you have the time and ability to ensure your dog gets the right amount of exercise needed.

In addition to this, the environment plays a part in your choice. Labskies would fit better living with someone who is at home for most of the day and does not leave them for a long period of time too often. They are very people-centered and always want to be with you.

However, this may not be the best dog for families with small children as the playfulness and excitement of this big dog can be too much for a small child. So if you are on the lookout for a very friendly, active, loyal, and energetic pet, you should get a Labsky.

But these designer dogs are not cheap. The price range for a Husky Lab mix puppy can be anywhere from $300 to $800. This depends on the availability of the Labsky, the breeder’s disposition, parental lineage, gender, birth order, coat and eye coloration, overall appearance, and other prized features.

If you are lucky enough to find one at a shelter, adoption prices are usually lower, ranging from about $50 to $100. Whether you are buying or adopting, it is important to ensure the Labsky is healthy and has healthy parents too.