The Husky Lab mix is one of America’s most famous mixed breeds. They appeared in the ’90s, and they have been growing ever since.
The Labsky began to boom in 2009. They even have a club in Germany!
The appeal of this dog is obvious. It has gorgeous eyes, a silky coat, and the sweet disposition of a Labrador Retriever with the temperament of an active Siberian Husky.
However, there’s more to this crossbreed than meets the eye. If you’re thinking about getting a Husky Lab mix puppy, here’s everything you need to know!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Labskies are a rare breed. They are a combination of Huskies and Labrador parents.
- Huskadors have a unique personality that blends with an active owner.
- You can find chocolate, yellow, or black Labskies. It all depends on the inheritance traits.
- Their behavior will vary based on how you educate your Labsky.
Pure Husky & Labrador Behavior Overview
A Huskador is a mix between a Labrador and a Husky. This mixed breed dog is also known as a Labsky or Huskador. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1930.
The temperament of this breed can vary depending on how much each parent contributes to it.
Huskies are bred to live in cold climates and are noisy. On the contrary, Labrador Retrievers are often used as search-and-rescue dogs. They’re trainable, friendly, and good swimmers.
Yet, both breeds make excellent family pets.
Husky
This breed is well known for its good character and affection for people, so they are not guardian dogs by nature.
They love and need to be with someone around. You shouldn’t leave them alone for long, as they can become destructive.
Most of them are agile, almost like hunters. Although they do not usually bark, they do howl.
Labrador
Labradors love human company and are happiest when they have something to do. They make excellent guide dogs because of their intelligence, high trainability, and affectionate nature with people.
They are from Canada and are a breed with a lot of population. Labs are versatile for various uses, such as search and rescue, hunting, or therapy work.
Huskador Appearance
The Huskador is a medium-sized dog with a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years. This breed can weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. Its size ranges from 20 to 28 inches tall.
They have a double coat that can be black, brown, and white, as well as sable or chocolate in color.
The Huskador’s eyes are usually brown or blue, while its nose is droopy with large nostrils.
Labsky Training & Personality
Huskadors are intelligent, energetic, and trainable. But, they can sometimes be stubborn and independent, like the Labrador.
You need to be consistent with your training. Huskadors have an inherent desire to please their owner but tend to get distracted easily by other things around them.
As such, they may require more time than some breeds before fully understanding commands. For example, concepts like housebreaking or crate training.
Education should be based on positive reinforcement because it is the best instruction method. It is the most effective, fast, efficient, and less traumatic for both dog and handler.
We recommend giving them daily training of 15 to 20 minutes.
This will forge their personality to make them functional dogs. It will also prevent outbursts or destructive behaviors.
Husky Lab Mix Diet
The Huskador should be fed twice a day, at least. A large dog like this needs a lot of food to keep it healthy, and providing them just once won’t be enough to give them all of the nutrients they need.
Make sure that you feed your Huskador only high-quality dog food. If you don’t know what kind of food is best for your pup yet, go to the vet!
Usually, vets recommend the BARF Diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food).
This diet consists in:
- Lean meat with raw bones.
- Fruits.
- Vegetables.
As your labsky grows, it will have different dietary requirements. That is why you need to know their age, weight, and height to allow you to feed them the correct nutrient-rich food and quantity.
Husky Lab Mix Health – What To Expect
Even though Huskies and Labradors are active breeds – they love swimming and running in wide open spaces. Yet, they tend to get sick and have severe health conditions.
The Labsky usually inherits some of these conditions.
Routine check-ups at the vet and frequent vaccination are key to keeping your labsky in good health.
They usually suffer from:
- Cataracts.
- Conjunctivitis.
- Glaucoma.
- Epilepsy.
- Degenerative myelopathy.
- Hypertension.
- Laryngeal paralysis.
- Dental problems.
- Skin conditions.
You can control diseases with healthy food, grooming, and training. Here you can see why they can’t be cooped indoors for long periods.
Grooming Your Husky Lab Mix
Both Labradors and Huskies have fabulous fur. And in the case of the Husky Lab mix, you get the best of both worlds. Your dog can come out with a mix of colors and combinations that will make them unique.
Inheriting the double coat from Huskies, Labskies will have a lot of shedding. This is why it’s necessary to brush their coat daily, especially in the shedding seasons of spring and summer.
The best idea is to use an undercoat brush to better remove loose hairs from the dog.
Likewise, the dogs’ ears should be cleaned to prevent infections or parasites.
Pros & Cons of Labskys
Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of a husky lab mix.
Pros of Having a Husky Lab Mix
Here‘s why you should consider getting a Labsky:
- Just like its breed parents, the Husky Lab Mix is an energetic dog. They can spend hours playing fetch, running, walking, or swimming. You must take their physical demand seriously if you don’t want your friend to get bored. This could make them have zoomies or uncontrollable behavior.
- Labskies are loyal and lovable. So, they will be great partners as part of your family. They’re also great with children.
- They do great with training. As an intelligent breed, you can teach them tricks and socially-accepted behaviors. They will learn them without hiring a dog trainer.
- Social, funny, and great workout companions.
Cons Of Having a Labsky
If you think you’re prepared to have a Huskador, there are some considerations to take:
- They don’t like to be alone. Since Labskies are loving pets, they get comfortable with you quicker than you think. As such, they could have separation anxiety if left alone for a long time. This is hereditary in both the Labrador and Husky part.
- They require a lot of exercise. Huskadors aren’t just a working breed. They don’t just like to exercise. They need it. You should reconsider if you can’t give them the right amount of training and playtime.
- Tendency to suffer from hip dysplasia. You have to beware of other dogs and give them constant training. If you can’t find time to set up a training routine, they will find their own.
- They shed a lot. They need grooming at least two twice a week.
Getting an Authentic Husky Lab Mix
If you’re still trying to get your hands on a lovely Husky Lab mix, you need to know that there are three ways you can get it:
- Going to a shelter.
- Breeding one yourself – applies to people that already have a Husky or a Labrador.
- Purchasing one.
The thing with options 1 or 3 is that you can’t ensure you’re getting a Labsky. You will have to ask for genetic tests that prove the dog you’re getting is a Husky-Lab mix.
Shelters will love to give you one if you want to take a dog to a forever home. In the case of breeders, they may only be willing to provide you with a test or registration papers if they are sure their breeds are pure and healthy.
Husky Lab Mix Questions & Answers (FAQ)
Here’s some common Q&A on Husky Labrador mixes names
How much does the Husky Lab Mix Cost?
A Husky Lab Mix can cost between $300 and $800. This will also depend on your country and the number of breeders available.
Is a Husky Lab Mix a good dog?
Yes! Huskadors are great dogs. They are friendly, smart, and loyal. They bring energy, laughs, love and attention to every home they live in.
Are Labrador Huskies rare?
The Husky-Lab mix has yet to be a well-known breed. They are rare, and when bred, it’s not common that you can get a 50/50 split dog. Your Labsky will have behaviors, shapes, and figures from one of the parents — at least most of the time.
What is the lifespan of a Husky Lab Mix?
The Husky Lab mix can live from 10 to 15 years. This can vary according to their overall health and how well you care for your pet.
Do Husky Lab Mix ears stand up?
Yes, but that will depend on the inheritance traits your dog has. If your Labsky has husky ears, you have erect ears. On the contrary, Labs have floppy ears and don’t stand up.