When you mix two breeds like the Husky and the Labrador, the result is a truly wonderful: you get the determination of a working dog mixed with the loyalty and enthusiasm of sporting dog, which are great traits to have wrapped into one single canine!
If you are thinking about welcoming a dog with a little bit of Husky and a little bit of Labrador in his veins, then you should continue reading.
We will look at:
- Personality traits
- Training
- Grooming requirements
- General info
After reading our overview, you should have a pretty good idea of whether or not this type of dog is right for your family!
Husky Labs – A.K.A. Siberian Retriever!
You might see the Husky Lab mix referred to as the Siberian Retriever, too, which is the unofficial name of this mixed breed dog. The name almost makes one think that the dog will have a Husky parent and a Golden Retriever parent, but this isn’t the case. Labs retrieve just as well as Golden Retrievers, and for some reason, the nickname Siberian Retriever stuck.
Some also refer to them as the “Huskador” or Lab Husky, but no matter the name, the same two pure breeds are in there.
You can expect mature adults to weigh anywhere from 40-60 pounds, classifying it as a medium breed and not a large breed.
Personality
The Siberian Retriever is a wonderful dog if you are ready to handle a pooch with plenty of energy. They are most commonly associated with the following personality traits:
- Lively
- Happy
- Intelligent
- Loyal
- Gentle
- Family Dog
- Watchdog
Expect to provide your Husky Lab mix with plenty of exercise, which means daily walks, playing in the back yard or trips to the park where your dog has plenty of room to run. If you are an active family, then this type of dog will fit naturally into your lifestyle.
If you are more of a couch potato, then this probably isn’t the right type of dog for you.
As you can see in this video, the ideal situation would be a lake house, but since not all of us live by a lake, a large backyard would certainly be in order!
What About Training?
Thankfully, training comes naturally to both dog and owner for this mixed breed since both Huskies and Labs are excellent working dogs.
- Huskies. Are known to be stubborn, and this trait might come out in your Husky/Lab now and then. Purebred Siberian Huskies are known for being loyal, mischievous and outgoing, which might overshadow some of the Lab traits in certain dogs.
Training a bit more challenging for the owner because of this, but if you are firm, patient and gentle, the results will be fruitful and rewarding.
- Labs. Are quite energetic. They are active, friendly and outgoing dogs and their eagerness to please their master makes them a joy to train.
Either of these traits might be present (or absent) in the Husky/Lab that you bring home, which is why it is important to understand both sides of the genealogical tree as you research.
Check out this Husky Lab mix in the video. Thanks to the help of the right trainer, she is showcasing the best of both breeds!
Grooming?
Well, both breeds are known for shedding, so expect to brush them daily to keep that fur from turning your home into a large bird nest.
One Husky Lab mix might have more of the typical Lab coat which is shorter and lays flatter on the body while another might have more of a double coat like the Huskie does.
Again, there will be plenty of fur so make sure you have some great grooming tools handy!
We would recommend and Undercoat Rake, a Grooming Comb, and a FURminator De-Shedding tool if you want to stay on top of everything.
Other Things I Should Know About Husky Lab Mixes
Loyal dogs are the ones that tend to suffer most from separation anxiety since they just love being around their owner so much. If you are away for most of the day and not able to socialize with your dog or take it outside for some exercise, then this isn’t the right dog for you.
Boredom can lead a dog to do a variety of destructive things, including chewing on things, escaping from the yard, barking, howling, pacing or leaving a stinky present somewhere in the house for you to find when you return home. Make sure to keep your Huskador stimulated and challenged to prevent any destructive behavior!
If you are leaning toward adopting a puppy, then plan to begin training as soon as possible. Socialize your pup with other dogs and children, especially if they will be around the latter on a regular basis.
Keep in mind that rescued dogs often require much more time and effort, so if you are interested in adopting an older dog, make sure that it is the right fit for both your family and your dog handling skills.
Overall, these dogs make wonderful additions to families with children, as would any purebred Husky or purebred Labrador.
