Labrador Husky
Encyclopedia
The Labrador Husky is a spitz
type of dog that was bred for work as a very strong, fast sled dog; it is a purebred originating from Canada
. Although the breed's name may be baffling, it is not a mix between a Labrador Retriever
and a Husky
. The breed is very little known, and there are no breed clubs that currently recognize it.
The husky's head is broad and has a long, narrow muzzle. The chest is wide and heavy boned. The husky's muscular and stout body is a unique physical trait, especially when compared to a Siberian Husky. Coat colors include solid white, solid black, black and white, red and white, and grey and white. There are two rare coat colors that can also be found in this breed: wolf grey and solid grey. Any coat color can appear in any litter; the most common colours are black and white, gray and white, and solid black.
This breed has existed for hundreds of years, and has become a unique breed due to its isolation from other northern dog breeds over this time. Labrador Huskies were used for transportation for many years, until the advent of the snowmobile. They are now often kept as loving pets. However, there are Labrador Inuit and Metis who still use them for recreational dog sledding and some even prefer the dog team to a snowmobile. Sled dog racing continues to be a winter pastime in Labrador, with long races similar to the Iditarod still happening today.
Today, in isolated communities in northern Labrador, spaying and neutering is extremely expensive and logistically difficult. Dog breeding is therefore largely unmonitored and uncontrolled. This has resulted in a great variety of Labrador Husky mixes. It is unclear how many "purebred" Labrador Huskies are left in their region of origin, but many of the mixes retain that distinctive wolf-like facial shape.
Of all the northern dog breeds, the Labrador Husky is one of the rarest, with less than an estimated 50-60 purebred Labrador Huskies currently identified in Labrador.. As a result, the breed is not well understood by many dog breeders.
Unlike the Siberian or Alaskan Husky, the Labrador Husky is not well known. The breed has many wolf-like characteristics owing to its ancestry; however, the Labrador Husky has been a loyal and trusted companion to the Labrador Inuit for centuries. It rarely barks but does tend to howl. Labrador Huskies have a combination of strength, intelligence and stamina, properties that are good for virtually any breed. They are not as fast as their Siberian or Alaskan cousins because they have been bred for endurance and strength.
and later for trainability purposes, the German Shepherd Dog
. This has created a larger sled dog that looks strikingly similar to the Siberian Husky, but is much larger and more wolf-like.
Exercise is another thing to consider before getting one of these dogs, especially if you are not an active person or family. This sled dog requires a lot of exercise and a large yard is a good idea. Long walks and ample exercise will go a long way towards keeping this dog calm and non-destructive. Giving the dog some sort of work to do such as agility
or flyball
will keep them both exercised and happy. Cold climates are obviously best for this breed.
Spitz
Spitz-type dogs are a type of dog, characterized by long, thick, and often white fur, and pointed ears and muzzles...
type of dog that was bred for work as a very strong, fast sled dog; it is a purebred originating from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Although the breed's name may be baffling, it is not a mix between a Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is one of several kinds of retriever, a type of gun dog. A breed characteristic is webbed paws for swimming, useful for the breed's original purpose of retrieving fishing nets. The Labrador is the most popular breed of dog by registered ownership in Canada, the United...
and a Husky
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a medium-size, dense-coat working dog breed that originated in north-eastern Siberia. The breed belongs to the Spitz genetic family...
. The breed is very little known, and there are no breed clubs that currently recognize it.
Appearance
The Labrador Husky looks much like a wolf because of its close relation to wolves (traditionally they were allowed to breed with the wolves of Labrador to create a stronger dog with great endurance). The Labrador Husky is a fairly large dog that can weigh between 60 and 100 pounds and can grow to 20 - 28 inches. Thick, double coated fur protects these dogs from the bitterly cold temperatures that come with Labrador's long winters.The husky's head is broad and has a long, narrow muzzle. The chest is wide and heavy boned. The husky's muscular and stout body is a unique physical trait, especially when compared to a Siberian Husky. Coat colors include solid white, solid black, black and white, red and white, and grey and white. There are two rare coat colors that can also be found in this breed: wolf grey and solid grey. Any coat color can appear in any litter; the most common colours are black and white, gray and white, and solid black.
This breed has existed for hundreds of years, and has become a unique breed due to its isolation from other northern dog breeds over this time. Labrador Huskies were used for transportation for many years, until the advent of the snowmobile. They are now often kept as loving pets. However, there are Labrador Inuit and Metis who still use them for recreational dog sledding and some even prefer the dog team to a snowmobile. Sled dog racing continues to be a winter pastime in Labrador, with long races similar to the Iditarod still happening today.
Today, in isolated communities in northern Labrador, spaying and neutering is extremely expensive and logistically difficult. Dog breeding is therefore largely unmonitored and uncontrolled. This has resulted in a great variety of Labrador Husky mixes. It is unclear how many "purebred" Labrador Huskies are left in their region of origin, but many of the mixes retain that distinctive wolf-like facial shape.
Of all the northern dog breeds, the Labrador Husky is one of the rarest, with less than an estimated 50-60 purebred Labrador Huskies currently identified in Labrador.. As a result, the breed is not well understood by many dog breeders.
Temperament
The Labrador Husky may have a somewhat different temperament from other Northern breeds. The breed can be unfriendly or, in the extreme, even aggressive with strangers. However, the breed can be well behaved if socialized properly. These dogs often do well with children, especially if reared with them. Being with other dogs always makes them happy, because they are bred to work well in a pack. Training is easy and fun because they are an intelligent breed.Unlike the Siberian or Alaskan Husky, the Labrador Husky is not well known. The breed has many wolf-like characteristics owing to its ancestry; however, the Labrador Husky has been a loyal and trusted companion to the Labrador Inuit for centuries. It rarely barks but does tend to howl. Labrador Huskies have a combination of strength, intelligence and stamina, properties that are good for virtually any breed. They are not as fast as their Siberian or Alaskan cousins because they have been bred for endurance and strength.
Health
There are no known ailments specific to this breed; special care has been taken in their breeding and this may be the reason few health problems exist. Any health problems the Labrador Husky may have are common to most other breeds. While the exact life expectancy of these dogs isn’t known, a healthy Labrador Husky should live for approximately 10 to 13 years.Origin
The Labrador Husky originated in the Labrador portion of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Labrador is the northern and mainland portion of the province. The breed probably arrived in the area with the Inuit people who came to Canada around 1300 AD. Although they were once very closely related to other Northern breeds, such as the Siberian Husky, they became isolated in Labrador and continued to develop on their own. Their history of being bred with wolves does not mean that they are wolf-dogs, nor do they have any recent wolf ancestry. However, they still retain some of their wolf-like physical features. Although they have been isolated, some Labradorian people have introduced the blood of the Alaskan MalamuteAlaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is a generally large breed of domestic dog originally bred for use as a utilitarian dog and later an Alaskan sled dog. They are sometimes mistaken for a Siberian Husky, but in fact are quite different in many ways...
and later for trainability purposes, the German Shepherd Dog
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog , also known as an Alsatian or just the German Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, the German Shepherd is a working dog...
. This has created a larger sled dog that looks strikingly similar to the Siberian Husky, but is much larger and more wolf-like.
Grooming and Living Area
Grooming is something to consider when choosing this breed because of the thick double coat. The Labrador Husky probably needs plenty of brushing as any double coated breed would. This dog sheds continuously, but has a major shed twice a year. During the twice yearly shedding time, these dogs should be brushed every day to remove loose hair. Sometimes baths are necessary to fully clean the coat.Exercise is another thing to consider before getting one of these dogs, especially if you are not an active person or family. This sled dog requires a lot of exercise and a large yard is a good idea. Long walks and ample exercise will go a long way towards keeping this dog calm and non-destructive. Giving the dog some sort of work to do such as agility
Dog agility
Dog agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles...
or flyball
Flyball
Flyball is a dog sport in which teams of dogs race against each other from a start/finish line, over a line of hurdles, to a box that releases a tennis ball to be caught when the dog presses the spring-loaded pad, then back to their handlers while carrying the ball.Flyball is run in teams of four...
will keep them both exercised and happy. Cold climates are obviously best for this breed.
Rescue
Due to largely uncontrolled breeding in some isolated communities, many Labrador Huskies and Labrador Husky mixes are homeless. Often these street dogs are malnourished and in poor physical condition. Rescued Labrador street dogs tend to be extremely friendly and well mannered. Currently, 3 organizations regularly rescue Labrador Huskies and Labrador Husky mixes: The Happy Valley-Goose Bay SPCA, Heavenly Creatures and Litter 'n Critters.See also
- Labrador-Husky mix
- Sled dogSled dogSled dogs, known also as sleigh man dogs, sledge dogs, or sleddogs, are highly trained types of dogs that are used to pull a dog sled, a wheel-less vehicle on runners also called a sled or sleigh, over snow or ice, by means of harnesses and lines.Sled dogs have become a popular winter recreation...
- Tamaskan DogTamaskan dogThe Tamaskan Dog is a rare dog breed of sleddog type, originating from Finland. It is a highly versatile breed that is known to excel in agility, obedience and working trials. It is also capable of pulling sleds, which is inherited from its Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute ancestors...
- UtonaganUtonaganThe Utonagan is a breed of dog that resembles a wolf, but in fact is a mix of three breeds of domestic dog: Alaskan Malamute, German Shepherd, and Siberian Husky.-Appearance:...
- WolfGray WolfThe gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
- Wolf-dog Hybrid