Have you heard of the Huskador?
A Huskador is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Siberian Husky.
This hybrid is created by combining two of the most popular breeds in the world, resulting in an energetic, intelligent and sociable dog.
Before we go any further, it’s important to note that this particular cross breed can go by a variety of different names.
In this article, we’ll be referring to this mix as a Huskador. However, Siberian Retriever and Labsky are also two names given to this cross.
While the American Kennel Club recognise the Labrador and the Siberian Husky as purebred dogs, the Huskador hasn’t been granted status by the organization.
Having said that, the Dog Registry of America does recognise the Siberian Retriever cross breed.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at all things Huskador, including Huskador size, Huskador appearance, Huskador temperament, Huskador exercise, Huskador shedding and much more.
We’ll hear from a number of different Huskador owners, including Lilo (@lilo_the_labsky), Kylo (@kylothelabsky), Fritter (@chasingfritter) and Watson (@sir_wat.son).
Jump To Section
Huskador Size
Watson the Huskador (Photo: @sir_wat.son / Instagram)
Huskadors will usually be a medium-sized dog given the Labrador and Siberian Husky are considered medium-sized breeds. A Huskador can range from 20 to 25 inches in height and 40 to 60 pounds in weight depending on their age and sex.
Shelbee gave us an insight into the size of her Siberian Retriever.
Lilo will be turning 2 years old soon so she is a fully grown Labsky/Huskador. Currently, she weights 85 lbs or 38.5 kg. She is definitely taller than a normal-sized Labrador Retriever and is also longer than a fully grown Husky. For interest, Lilo’s dad is the chocolate Labrador who weighs about 130 lbs (lots of muscle) and her mom is a red Husky (normal size/weight).
Samantha explained that Fritter is a medium-sized dog.
I would describe Fritter as a medium-sized dog. Currently she weighs 65lbs and is 9 months old. We aren’t sure how much more she will grow because she’s a rescue and we’ve only met her mom. Her mom is smaller than Fritter.
Huskador Appearance
Lilo the Huskador (Photo: @lilo_the_labsky / Instagram)
The appearance of Huskador dogs will vary amongst the cross breed. It depends on a variety of factors, including whether they take after their Labrador or Husky parent. It can also depend on whether a Huskador is a first generation or second generation Labsky.
There are a couple of traits that most Huskadors will have. For instance, they’ll usually have a double coat like their Labrador and Siberian Husky parents. Their coat is likely to be medium in length and their hair tends to be straight.
Huskadors can have a black, brown, gray, red, cream or white coat. Their coat colors can come in various patterns and some Huskadors will have a mask covering their face. You’ll find that Siberian Retrievers usually have a black or brown nose, while their eye colors can range from blue, hazel, brown and amber. They can have bi-eyes and parti-eye.
Here’s how Shelbee described Lilo’s appearance.
Lilo is such a beautiful dog since she is very unique and a true mix of both breeds. If you glance at her from afar you may think she is a common chocolate Labrador but up close you can notice her wolf/husky tail and that her coat is more of an orange/amber colour. Lilo’s eye colour continues to change and reflect her mood each day. As a puppy, her eyes were blue but as she has become older, they have become green and yellow. I would describe her as an amber/chocolate Labsky.
Huskador Temperament
Kylo the Labsky (Photo: @kylothelabsky / Instagram)
Just like Huskador appearance, Huskador temperament can depend on each individual member of the cross breed. So you should be wary of claims made by breeders about certain desired traits.
The Huskador is likely to be an energetic dog that will enjoy a romp in the garden with their fellow family members. They like to give and receive attention in equal measure.
Shelbee provided with her unique take on Huskador temperament based upon her experience with Lilo.
Lilo is the only Labsky I have ever met (besides her littermates). She is very calm but also energetic. Lilo has a lot of love to give and does not like being left alone. I would stay that the Huskador is not aggressive but enjoys rough-housing if you let that happen.
Raine offered the following insight where Husakdor temperament is concerned.
He is a well-mannered dog. He is a homebody, loyal, family oriented, great with babies, kids and other dogs.
Do Huskadors Have Separation Anxiety?
Fritter the Huskador (Photo: @chasingfritter / Instagram)
Separation anxiety is a chronic canine disorder that can affect any dog irrespective of breed or mix. It occurs when dog owners leave their pets at home alone. The symptoms include barking, chewing, digging, howling or evening defecating and urinating inside the home. You can read our interview with a dog separation anxiety trainer here.
Lilo does display some symptoms of separation anxiety.
Lilo does experience separation anxiety. We always say that Lilo loves attention and always wants eyes on her otherwise she will whimper. I would say she is like a velcro dog in that she is the happiest when she is with her family.
Do Huskadors Make Great Family Pets?
Watson the Huskador (Photo: @sir_wat.son / Instagram)
The Huskador can excel in a family setting given the bond created between humans and dogs. They’re a robust breed that can withstand the rough and tumble of life in a young family. The Huskador cross breed like to be in the thick of the action and receiving lots of attention.
Having said that, you should never leave children unsupervised with a dog.
Shelbee explained that Lilo thrives in a family setting.
Lilo is an excellent example of a wonderful household pet. Lilo is very loving and caring with both young children and the elderly. Lilo also loves other animals – in fact, she loves watching her “daughter” who is a small black bear hamster run around. She is not aggressive in any nature to other pets or people.
Are Huskador Smart?
Fritter the Huskador (Photo: @chasingfritter / Instagram)
The Labsky will usually be a smart dog given the Labrador Retriever is ranked as the seven most intelligent dog in the world. While the Intelligence Of Dogs ranked the Siberian Husky at 77th, they’re generally seen as a smart dog breed in the 21st century. Siberian Huskies can be independent thinkers so they require consistent training from a young age to counter any stubbornness.
Huskadors are a smart cross breed in the experience of Samantha.
Fritter is such a smart dog! She learns tricks quickly but also quickly learns how to take advantage too. When we ask her to lay down, she will do it but sometimes jumps right back up to get her treat. She’s constantly surprising us with how smart she is!
Are Huskadors Easy To Train?
Huskadors tend to be clever dogs. If they get their intelligence largely from their Labrador parent, your Huskador is likely to be quick to learn new commands and obedient. However, Siberian Huskies can have an independent streak that can result in a stubborn learner. It’s a good idea to start the process of training your Huskador from a young age to lay down the groundrules.
It appears Lilo was an easy Huskador to train, even receiving praise from her vet!
Lilo is such an intelligent dog. We began training her consistently when she was a puppy and have seen such amazing results. Currently, we are interested in training her to become a therapy dog. We always say that Lilo is so smart since she understands English so clearly. We can tell her to go get something from another room and she will follow through. Even our veterinarian says she is a Ph.D dog.
Huskador Exercise
Lilo the Huskador (Photo: @lilo_the_labsky / Instagram)
You won’t be surprised to learn that Huskadors require a lot of stimulation. They’ll require mental and physical stimulation to keep these energetic dogs satisfied. A healthy and active lifestyle will benefit any dog, including a Huskador. They’ll need at least 60 minutes of exercise a day.
Speaking about the ideal home for a Huskador, Samantha recommended an active home for the cross breed.
Fritter gets around 1-2 hours of exercise a day. She thrives when learning new commands or playing fetch in a wide, open space. On days where the weather isn’t great, we spend time indoors doing training or doing enrichment activities. I wouldn’t recommend Huskadors to someone who wants a dog that would be happy staying home cuddling all day! (Although she can be quite the cuddler as well!)
Are Huskadors Hypoallergenic?
Huskadors aren’t considered a hypoallergenic cross breed given neither the Labrador Retriever nor the Siberian Husky are hypoallergenic.
It’s always important to be wary of claims made by breeders when it comes to so-called hypoallergenic dog breeds.
The AKC explain on their website that there’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog.
Do Huskadors Shed?
It’s likely that your Huskador will be a moderate-to-high shedder. The Labrador and Siberian Husky breeds shed throughout the year. They’ll blow out their coat during the change of the seasons – too.
Do Huskadors Need Regular Grooming?
Kylo the Labsky (Photo: @kylothelabsky / Instagram)
If you’re planning to get a Huskador, you should be prepared to brush your cross breed at least a couple of times a week. Ideally, you should try to find time to brush your Labrador Siberian Husky mix on a daily basis. This can help to remove dead hair, debris and dirt in their coat. You can use a comb or a deshedder brush.
Huskador Health Problems
Although mixed breeds are generally considered to be healthier than purebred dogs, there’s no guarantee your Huskador won’t encounter some problems. It’s a good idea to ask your vet whether there are any conditions to be aware of. Here are some of the health problems associated with this mix:
• Hip dysplasia
• Eye problems
• Skin diseases
• Arthritis
Are Huskadors Fussy Eaters?
Lilo the Huskador (Photo: @lilo_the_labsky / Instagram)
Shelbee has experienced some fussiness with her Huskador.
In terms of kibble, Lilo is very picky. For breakfast, she eats the Hill’s food prescription diet (this is her favourite food!), but for dinner she eats Performatrin Ultra Adult Large Breed kibble (sweet potato is her favourite). We found that we have to change the flavour of the Performatrin dog food otherwise she gets bored with it and doesn’t eat. We chose the Hill food because our vet recommended it for large dogs and it is the only food that makes Lilo’s mouth water. Performatrin is another great dog food brand and is a food Lilo’s parents eat. Lilo is sensitive toward chicken so this is why finding the right food for her is somewhat challenging.
If you’re Huskador is a fussy eater, you may find it useful to try balanced, complete and fresh meals that are tailored to your Labsky’s specific needs.
If you live in the USA, check out our best dog food delivery companies guide here. If you’re based in the UK, we’ve also reviewed the best dog food delivery companies in Great Britain here.
Do Huskadors Get Along With Other Dogs And Pets?
Fritter the Huskador (Photo: @chasingfritter / Instagram)
As we touched upon above in Huskador temperament, these Labsky dogs are usually outgoing and sociable. For example, Fritter loves to make new friends of the human and furry variety.
Fritter enjoys meeting other people and dogs. She loves to play and thinks everyone she meets wants to play with her too.
Watson enjoys being around other dogs – too.
Huskadors are generally known for getting along well with other pets. They can on the occasion be either too hyper/happy for smaller pets such as cats and rodents but if introduced young, they are less likely to have problems with other pets.
Do Huskadors Bark A Lot?
Watson the Huskador (Photo: @sir_wat.son / Instagram)
Siberian Huskies are often stereotyped as noisy dogs that like to talk. However, excessive barking can be countered with some training. There are many factors that could contribute to a dog that barks a lot.
Proving that every dog is different, Fritter isn’t a big barker.
Fritter is not very vocal but some of her siblings bark a lot! Fritter only barks if someone is at the door or if the telephone rings. Sometimes if she doesn’t want to do something she will talk back to us. It’s really cute!
Watson is talkative but not an excessive barker.
They are not a mix that is particularly known for barking. However, due to the mix of Husky, they can be easily influenced into barking. They are talkative however and often express themselves in small grunts, groans and huffs.
Are Huskadors Aggressive?
In Samantha’s experience, Fritter hasn’t shown the slightest aggression. Quite the opposite.
Fritter is not an aggressive dog at all! She’s the opposite, she’s quite friendly and loves every person and animal she meets.
With proper socialization and training, your Huskador is unlikely to show any aggressive tendencies. Here’s Watson:
Aggressive behaviors aren’t breed related in this case. If the dog in particular is properly socialized and comes from good parents, he will be less likely to be aggressive. They aren’t particularly a mix known for aggressive tendencies.
Are Huskadors Hyper?
Watson the Huskador (Photo: @sir_wat.son / Instagram)
Watson’s parents explained that Huskadors won’t be hyper provided they’ve got an outlet for the energy.
They are a mix between two very active breeds. If they are properly excersized, given a proper off switch and allowed to release pent up energy they will be well behaved.
Are Huskadors Sociable Dogs?
Whether your Huskador is extremely sociable or shy will depend on their training and exposure to different situations as a puppy.
Watson offered the following insight into this question.
Like any dog, if properly socialised they are social dogs, some more than others. They are known to love the presence of other dogs and do well in multi canin households as well as homes with children.
Do Huskadors Like To Cuddle?
Watson’s owner explained that Huskador can be cuddly but have a preference for their owners rather than people they don’t know.
They tend to prefer people they know. Although social, they aren’t known to be very cuddly with strangers or unknown people.
Are Huskadors Expensive?
The Huskador isn’t as common as some cross breeds such as the many varieties of Doodles. Therefore you might struggle to find a Huskador breeder. If you’ve decided that this is the mix for you, you could start by contacting your local rescue shelters. There are some rescue organisation that focus on sled dog breeds or mixes.
Would You Recommend Huskadors To First-Time Owners?
Fritter the Huskador (Photo: @chasingfritter / Instagram)
Here’s some advice from Huskador owner Samantha.
I would recommend Huskadors but with caution. You have to be consistent and strict with your training. We took Fritter to puppy school and plan to take her to more training classes once COVID restrictions have lifted. Fritter is an adorable puppy and it was hard to tell her no or correct her bad behaviour when she was in her early puppy days. She’s very loving and sweet but can also be quite stubborn!
Samatha kindly went on to suggest a suitable home environment for a Huskador.
I think Huskadors would do best with a more active home.
This sentiment was echoed by Watson.
Any dog can be for first time owners, it will greatly depend on how the person is willing to accommodate the dog in question. They are not a mix I would recommend to people who aren’t active or willing to spend at least two hours out with them.
Huskador Pros And Cons
Lilo the Huskador (Photo: @lilo_the_labsky / Instagram)
Here are some Huskador pros and cons from some Huskador owners. However, remember this is based upon their individual experience with their Labsky.
The Pros
Lilo/Shelbee: Huskadors are such a loving and intelligent breed – they love you more than they love themselves.
Kylo/Raine: Loyal, family oriented, energetic, playful, loving, silly, strong personality, great with other dogs, gentle with kids and babies, protective.
Fritter/Samantha: I can only speak to my experience with Fritter, but the pros for us are that she is smart, loyal, friendly and loves other people and dogs.
Watson: They are great family dogs, active and love having company whether is be dogs are people.
The Cons
Lilo/Shelbee: I love this breed so much that I can’t even come up with a con. Maybe that they shed a lot! So be prepared to wash and brush them multiple times a week (it is totally worth it)! Getting a Labsky was the decision for our family!
Kylo/Raine: Separation anxiety, loud, jumps up sometimes when excited.
Fritter/Samantha: The cons are that she can be quite stubborn and for people who might be concerned about size its hard to predict their adult size. In Fritter’s litter, the biggest male is over 70lbs and the smallest pup is around 60lbs.
Watson: However, because they are a mix, their personality and behavior can greatly vary between individuals.
Huskador Photos
Watson the Huskador (Photo: @sir_wat.son / Instagram)
Lilo the Huskador (Photo: @lilo_the_labsky / Instagram)
Kylo the Labsky (Photo: @kylothelabsky / Instagram)
Fritter the Huskador (Photo: @chasingfritter / Instagram)
Watson the Huskador (Photo: @sir_wat.son / Instagram)
Lilo the Huskador (Photo: @lilo_the_labsky / Instagram)
Kylo the Labsky (Photo: @kylothelabsky / Instagram)
Fritter the Huskador (Photo: @chasingfritter / Instagram)
Watson the Huskador (Photo: @sir_wat.son / Instagram)
Lilo the Huskador (Photo: @lilo_the_labsky / Instagram)
Kylo the Labsky (Photo: @kylothelabsky / Instagram)
Watson the Huskador (Photo: @sir_wat.son / Instagram)
Fritter the Huskador (Photo: @chasingfritter / Instagram)
Kylo the Labsky (Photo: @kylothelabsky / Instagram)
Anything Else To Consider?
Kylo the Labsky (Photo: @kylothelabsky / Instagram)
It’s important to remember that every dog is different. Although breeds and cross breeds are stereotyped as having specific traits, it can differ amongst each individual canine.
If you’d like to learn more about the Huskador cross breed, you can check out some members of the cross breed on Instagram. Social media can give you a glimpse into life with a Labsky or dog irrespective of breed or mix.
Here are some of our favourite Huskador accounts on Instagram:
• Lilo (@lilo_the_labsky)
• Kylo (@kylothelabsky)
• Fritter (@chasingfritter)
• Watson (@sir_wat.son)
Wrapping Up
Fritter the Huskador (Photo: @chasingfritter / Instagram)
We’ve reached the end of our Huskador feature.
The Huskador is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Siberian Husky. They can also be commonly called a Labsky and a Siberian Retriever.
They tend to be friendly, loyal and energetic dogs that like to be around their fellow family members.
These dogs can be smart but independent thinkers – so training from a young age is a good idea.
Huskador tend to shed regularly and can blow out their coats twice a year, usually at the changing of the seasons.
