Labrador Husky Dog Breed

The Labrador Husky is a rare hybrid breed, so it is not known to be an official member of any breed group or classification--though there is little doubt that dogs of this breed are working animals. Like other Northern dogs, the Lab Husky was developed to be a sled dog. Lab Huskies are best suited for active families (particularly those living in colder climates), or for anyone who needs a good-natured working dog.

PROS:

• Fantastic work ethic
• Intelligent
• Affectionate
• Easy to train
• Socializes well with other dogs
• Very loyal
• Extremely athletic
• Good with children (especially if raised with them)
• Low barking tendency

CONS:

• Not normally friendly to strangers
• Sheds frequently
• May chase smaller pets
• Extremely rare, so little is known about care, health, and maintenance
• High exercise requirements
• May become destructive if bored
• Generally high-maintenance
• Not adaptable to various living situations; cooler climate and large outdoor space recommended

The Labrador Husky is a rare pure breed. It is not, as many people mistakenly believe, a Lab-Husky hybrid. (The most common Lab-Husky mix is a crossbreed called a Siberian Retriever.) A purebred Labrador Husky is medium- to large-sized (60-100 pounds in weight, 20-28 inches at the shoulders in height), with a thick, dense double-layered coat. There is no doubt the breed is descended from wolves, as the two are similar in both appearance and temperament. Dogs of this breed are very intelligent and respond well to training--but they are extremely task-oriented, so they will need constant mental and physical stimulation.

Since the Labrador Husky was developed to work with other dogs to pull sleds, these dogs have a strong "pack mentality." Owners of this breed--of which there are few--say their dogs behave best if they have one (or more) other Huskies to live and socialize with. Those owners also say that, while these dogs are well-behaved in the company of others, they do not do well if left alone; rather than the dog suffering separation anxiety, owners will come home to find that their Lab Husky has torn their living room to shreds.

These dogs, as working sled dogs, will require a great deal of physical activity. While not incredibly strong, a Lab Husky has unbelievable stamina, and is best suited for homes with large yards that give the dog plenty of room to run.

Intelligent, loyal, independent, loving, and often cautious, the typical Lab Husky mentality is one of self-reliance and calm. Dogs of this breed behave in some ways like their wolf ancestors: they normally howl instead of bark, they're happiest in the company of other dogs, and they normally make their own decisions. If raised in the company of humans and other pets, a Lab Husky will usually consider itself part of that "pack," and will be an affectionate member of the family. If introduced to a home as an adult, though, a dog of this breed might be quite standoffish and suspicious until it acclimates itself to its new environment. It is likely that because of a naturally high prey drive, a Lab Husky might chase smaller pets.

As an intelligent animal, training a Lab Husky is normally easy. Because of its instinctively strong work ethic, the breed learns tasks very well, but it may be stubborn when it comes to learning silly tricks. Owners attest to these dogs' innate ability to learn goal-oriented, complex chores--but teaching them to "roll over" is quite another matter.

A Lab Husky's guard- and watchdog abilities are largely unknown. Since these dogs are fairly large, and they're usually suspicious of strangers, chances are they will be excellent watchdogs--but not enough info is available to know for sure.

Because of the rarity of this breed, very little is known about the Labrador Husky's specific health issues. What is known is that Lab Husky breeders (of which there are few) are very careful about their breeding methods, so it's likely this breed has few health problems. The Lab Husky's average lifespan is also unknown, but is estimated at 10-13 years.