Husky Lab Mix Temperament and Puppy Stages

A Husky Lab mix is one of the most sought-after dog breeds we have today. It is sometimes called a Siberian Retriever, Huskador, and Labsky.

But why is this pet so popular that many dog owners aspire to have it?

There are a lot of reasons hidden behind, and you may want to take a look at the qualities of this favorite dog!

First, knowing the origin of the Husky Lab is helpful for you to decide if you are prospecting to adopt it.

There is a lot to learn before you jump to a final decision.

Aside from this exciting moment, you will also find out if taking care of a Labsky is right for you.

Origin of Husky Lab mix

It is essential to learn the origin of this pet so you’ll get an idea about which parent traits it possibly inherits.

It will help you understand its behavior, so you’ll know how to adjust yourself when the time comes that you have to train it.

Its parents have a significant contribution on how it behaves so, start the process by looking at the background and origin of the Labsky.

A husky lab mix is a designer dog produced by its two parent dog breeds, a Labrador Retriever and Siberian Husky. Designer dog means that the dog is a crossbreed between two purebreds.

In this case, the crossbreed will not only inherit the looks from its parents but the characteristics and temperament as well.

One of the husky lab’s parents, the Labrador Retriever, originated from Newfoundland. Labradors play particular roles that can be helpful for the community.

About Labrador

They are trained to aid people with disability.

They have a charming personality that allows them to serve as a therapy dog.

Labs are widely used in law enforcement agencies and other organizations in different parts of the world, mainly in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

These groups use Labs as retriever-gun dogs. Their particular capability makes them suitable for hunting and sporting activities.

Take note that Labradors vary in appearance and behavior, which is categorized into two types:

English Labs are breeds that are more trainable, making them suitable for people who want a dog to accompany them during hunting.

American Labs are more energetic, allowing them to be chosen to participate in field trials.

They have a leaner body and longer legs compared to their counterparts.

Labradors either have a chocolate, black, or yellow coat. These breeds are sometimes mistakenly called Golden Retriever, but take note that the latter has longer hair compared to Labs.

Furthermore, the Labrador Retrievers weigh between 65 to 80 pounds for a male, and 55 to 70 pounds for a female.

These breeds also require less maintenance because they only shed hair twice every year and may sometimes exceed during temperate climates. They can even get along with kids and families easily.

About Siberian Husky

Another parent of the Husky Lab mix is the Siberian Husky. This breed originated in Siberia in Russia.

Most people use the Siberian Huskies in hunting and even in transportation by training them to pull sleds.

Their loyalty enables them to feel closer to families and kids quickly.

Unlike the Labradors, the Siberian Huskies have medium body size. Male huskies weigh 45 to 60 pounds while females are between 35 to 50 pounds.

They also have a thicker double coat than the other parent breed of Husky Labs. Erect ears characterize them with markings. These breeds are also known for being energetic.

Their thick coat allows them to withstand harsh weather conditions and frigid temperature, but it is also the reason why they need weekly grooming. Commonly, they have patterned colors on their body.

Their paws, legs, tail, and face may be covered with white markings, and the rest of their body is black.

Their coat could also be a combination of copper-red and white or white and gray, and in some cases, just pure white.

You can rarely find a Miniature Siberian Husky with an agouti coat, which means that the body has other band colors.

You can also notice that the Siberian Huskies have particolored, almond eyes, but there is nothing to worry because this appearance doesn’t affect their vision.

Their nose could be pointed or square, and their tails have very thick fur. Unlike other dog breeds that bark, this one usually howls.

Are lab husky mix good family dogs?

Considering the temperament of both parent breeds, husky lab Mixes are known to be energetic, which requires them to get plenty of exercises and an active lifestyle. They also need mental stimulation to make them entertained.

They are people-oriented, which is beneficial for family members most especially if you have kids at home.

It is recommended to expose them to socialization to reduce their anxiety and make them calm whenever they saw people or other animals.

Bringing them for a long walk every morning is an excellent exercise for them.

Other activities that will help them stay active are hiking, romping, and running.

You can teach them these things most especially if you are training them to compete in sports.

Furthermore, their grooming needs don’t have to be pricey because their coat sheds rarely.

It reduces your stress in cleaning your home, and you can also save money from bringing it at the dog parlor.

Brushing their coat about two or three times a week is enough to keep their skin beautiful. You may use a metal comb or a rake specially designed for the dog’s coat.

Life Stages of Husky Lab Mix

Now that you are aware of the background of this pet let’s go over the different life stages of the Husky Lab to understand the personality of this breed deeply.

The average life span is 11 to 13 years, and between these stages, you will discover the milestones that your pet can experience.

Take note that being a dog owner is also the same as parenting a child. It requires focus, determination, patience, and effort if you want to establish the dog with the character that you want it to possess.

Although these breeds have natural traits and personality, it is still helpful to help them develop them.

Before you decide to adopt a husky lab, make sure that you are entirely equipped with the life stages of this breed.

0 to 2 weeks – Neonatal stage

The journey of this pet starts at the neonatal stage. It is the period that you need to take extra care of your puppy.

Some of the body organs of the husky lab are not yet fully developed, so you need to be gentle when you want to hold them.

It is also the time that these breeds are blind and deaf yet. They don’t have teeth, so they have to rely on sucking milk from their parent.

The husky lab Mix have a delicate body during the neonatal stage. That means that they need to be kept beside their mother to obtain body heat. Most of the time, you can see them sleeping or being fed by their dog mom.

You will also notice that their parent frequently licks them. It is a way for the dog to help their puppies eliminate.

2 to 4 weeks – the Transitional stage

This stage is one of the exciting parts of their development. Their ears will open, allowing them to respond to sounds around them.

They can also see a bit of light as they open their eyes. This time, they can already eliminate on without seeking help from their mother.

Also, their mobility starts to be developed. You can see them striving to crawl since their strength is not yet enough for them to walk.

They may sometimes try to stand up, but their force is not yet intact to carry their body, leading them to stumble.

The husky lab will also start to recognize their parent and siblings. Small teeth will also grow, but it is not yet advisable to give them food to chew.

They only need their mother’s milk at this period since their digestive system cannot accept hard food particles yet.

3 to 4 weeks – Development of senses

The husky labs can already recognize sounds from people and other pets around them.

However, you still need to be mindful when sudden loud noises occur because it can scare the pets or worse, it can even affect their development.

You should continue to help them in the socialization process. Let them play with other pets so they won’t feel scared.

As soon as they recognize people and other pets around them, they slowly show interaction.

Their senses will help them see things clearly and respond to them.

It is also a crucial stage for them because their razor-sharp teeth are beginning to lose.

This development may happen between three to six weeks. The puppy will experience teething before he gets permanent teeth.

4 to 7 weeks – Socialization stage

Since they can already recognize people and other species around them at the earlier stage, now is the time for them to socialize.

Their siblings can contribute to their development during these weeks.

It is also essential for them to interact with people for them to understand and follow the discipline being taught.

This stage is also essential for both the Husky Lab and its mother. It is the perfect time for the mother dog to wean her puppies.

Weaning is crucial because her milk supply is starting to dry up. You should also take note that you play an essential role during this process.

You must hold the puppies from their mother dog for a few minutes a day as one way of training them to socialize.

Let them mingle with their siblings so they will get used to it. It is also the perfect time to start feeding them.

Let them eat in a clean pan. In this way, you are training them to eat independently.

Since it is the first time that you are going to let the puppies eat food while it is also a growth period for them, it is essential to choose high-quality food specially formulated for them.

Their teeth are not yet stronger enough to bite hard foods, so make sure to moisten it with warm water before giving.

You may also try a canine replacer so that you’ll come up with a soupy meal suitable for their sensitive palates.

Don’t be discouraged when you see them licking the food when they are fed for the first time.

Take note that the process is new to them, so it takes patience to feed them with different food.

If you think that your effort is not working, you might want to try other food flavors that are appealing to them.

Some puppies may be picky eaters, while some dislike the taste of the food. Also, only give them a small amount at the start to avoid wastage.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that this stage is not the best time to separate the puppies from their mother.

Separating them at an early age will make them bark or bite because they will feel threatened and nervous.

It is the right stage to train them the discipline, but you shouldn’t prevent them from housebreaking mistakes or mouthing.

8 to 12 weeks – Socialization and fearful stage

Husky labs and their parent dogs are not usually fearful. However, they are still sensitive to loud noises, making them feel threatened or terrified.

That means that their socialization training should continue until this period.

Worst is, they will have a traumatic experience when they are not taught properly, or specific scenarios are not controlled.

One of the best ways is to avoid creating loud noises or threatening them.

Also, prevent harsh discipline or rough play because it will let them learn to bite.

Cuddle them a few minutes in a day so that they feel the human contact and they won’t be afraid to people.

Do you know that you can also train them through simple commands or words that they can easily recognize?

Teach them actions like stay, sit, come, and down. In this way, you are also training them to follow instructions.

The development of your husky lab puppy continues on this stage. You can notice that the pet will start to have better control of its bowel.

His sleeping pattern is also changing, wherein he will have a better sleep at night.

Keep in mind that husky lab puppies are prone to diseases during this stage. Therefore, you should make sure that their cage or sleeping area is always clean.

Don’t bring them to places where there are stray dogs so that they won’t be exposed to viruses.

Make sure that you have completed their entire vaccination to keep them safe from any illness.

3 to 4 months – Juvenile stage

The husky labs at this stage start to be independent. Despite this fact, you still need to impose the commands that you used to teach them.

It is also crucial to train them to do other actions that they don’t know yet.

It will be hard for you to teach them things to do when they get older, so don’t hesitate to start at this period.

You might also feel stressed during this stage because it is also the time when your pet is starting to bite things like rugs, couch, or grasses.

Some of your precious things might be damaged if they bite them, but don’t be harsh when trying to stop them.

Instead, say no gently and buy them toys that they can play with.

3 to 6 months – Ranking period

The puppies continue to be independent during this stage. It is the time when they show their eagerness yet they could sometimes be bratty.

They can also test your patience, but you don’t have to worry because their parent dogs are both easy to be trained.

It is normal for them to show confidence when you teach them anything most especially that they feel independent.

Take note that it is also the period of training, so, as much as possible, don’t play tug of war or wrestling with them.

They may bite, or you might get hurt if they are forced to counteract with you.

Teething may also be stressful for them because they would find ways to relieve the pain they feel.

To help them cope up in this stage of their life, give them soft toys so that they play with it and they have something to use to relieve the pressure.

Keep them away from the things that they might chew. You can’t blame them if they bite your favorite rug.

It is their way of finding relief, but you need to make sure that they will not go to places where they might swallow even a tiny object.

It is dangerous for their digestive system and health.

Since one of the parents of the husky labs is husky, you should expect that this type is difficult to housebreak.

It is not surprising when the puppy adapts this trait as well.

However, you should continue to make an effort to house train the pet. Reward him or give him praises when he learns to defecate or urinate outside the home.

Although the personality and character of the husky lab mixes are slightly developed in this stage, you must still teach him the right attitude like being obedient and calm when strangers or other animals passed by.

This breed is known to be energetic; therefore, you must allow him to do plenty of exercises and activities that will help develop his body tone.

6 to 18 months – Adolescence

The husky labs are still considered young although their body was already fully developed this time. It is the period in which they have learned a lot of things.

They are energetic and love to spend time playing with their siblings.

However, you still need to take care of them to prevent them from getting injured.

Now that you have established their mental and emotional maturity, you can now increase the training period and other activities that you want them to learn. It could include herding or agility.

Although both parent dogs of the husky labs have hunting and sporting skills, it is still essential to train them consistently.

In that way, they will learn how to use their natural skills correctly, and you can also enhance their performance at the same time.

Commonly, the husky lab Mix stop their development stage before they reach their first birthday.

As they become nine months old, you can also notice that their height increases while their body is leaner.

Learning the development happening in your pet is essential so that you’ll know how to meet their needs.

Paying attention to their growth will guide you on how to train and teach them basic and advanced skills that they can use when they reach their full adulthood, which is between two to 2.5 years old.

Generally, male husky labs reach their full size when they are 36 months. They also mature emotionally until they are about two years old.

It is why it is always recommended to teach your dogs the socialization and emotional aspects so that you can establish it before they get mature.

Also essential to supply your Dog with supplements and nutritious foods during its development years.

It is an excellent way for you to prevent diseases from attacking your pet.

Remember that sickness can reduce the life span of this dog breed, so it is excellent when you boost his health.

Make sure that you only choose high-quality foods that contain vitamins and minerals he needs to strive.

They may inherit the diseases from their parent dogs, but you can still do something to prevent the occurrence of such illnesses.

If you can do all of these guidelines, you are giving your pet a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle.

Always remember that being a pet owner requires effort and perseverance to make sure that you meet your dog’s needs.