Labrador Retriever vs Siberian Husky: Breakdown +Infographic

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Labrador retriever vs Siberian husky

Labradors are generally slightly taller, heavier, and bulkier than huskies but usually live less than huskies. Labradors have shades of black/chocolate and creamy colors but huskies are a mixture of black, gray, and white markings. Labradors are more gentle, friendly, and emotionally available. Huskies are more vocal, playful, and stubborn. Both of them are easily trainable, family-friendly, and trustworthy companions.

The best way to determine which breed is better suited for your family is to look at your situation and lifestyle. And decide which one is right for your family.

At the end of the day, a dog should fit you and your family’s lifestyle, not the other way around.

So without further ado, let’s compare Labrador Retriever vs Husky and see which is the better dog breed for you. Let’s take a look at possible factors.

This infographic will Explain The Major Differences between a husky and a Labrador retriever.

Siberian husky vs Labrador retriever infographic - lifespan - colors - behavior traits - history

Siberian Husky History

Siberian Huskies fall into working groups that help their masters pull sleds in the Arctic.

This breed dates back about 3,000 years ago, making it an ancient dog breed.

The Siberian Chukchi are closely related to this breed.

Due to its isolation from the world, the breed was kept a secret until the 1900s.

Travelers marvelously watched how they pulled sleighs in dangerous conditions with minimal food.

However, their real fame came in 1925 when a group of huskies led by Balto (perhaps the most famous husky of all time) saved a population from a deadly epidemic.

The breed has been loved since it was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1930.

Labrador Retriever History

The Labrador Retriever is a newer breed than the Husky, and its ancestry is believed to be the extinct St. John’s Water Dog.

He’s from Newfoundland (not a Labrador, but that makes a lot more sense!).

An English nobleman saw how good he was at helping his master and took him to England. It was here that his popularity began to rise steadily.

Labrador Retrievers fall into a sporting group to help their owners hunt and catch prey.

They were also accustomed to using thick, otter-like tails and webbed feet to drive fish into their master’s nets.

This guy has been America’s number-one dog breed for over 30 years. And he’s, according to the AKC, no other breed has come close to expelling him from the top spot!

Weight and height: Labrador Retriever vs Husky

The average height of an adult Huskey is 20-23.5 inches. And their average weight of them is 35-60 pounds.

The average height of an adult Labrador is 21.5-24.5 inches. And their average weight of them is 55-80 pounds.

an average labrador is larger and heavier than a siberian husky

Appearance

Here we are going to compare the appearance of Labrador Retriever vs Husky.

Both breeds have completely different appearances. Huskies bred for work and sledding have thick coats to cope with snow. This means they need more grooming and shed more due to the amount of fur they have.

There may be better choices than huskies for long coats if you live in a warmer climate.

Labs were bred for sport.

There are field and bench Labs with slightly different purposes and appearances. It can have a coat with one of the four colors:

  • cream white
  • Yellow
  • chocolate brown
  • black

two adult labrador retrievers standing on a rock smiling

This includes the red coat, which is technically a darker yellow, and the controversial Silver Lab. His coat is much shorter, closer to the body, and less fluffy than the Husky.

Huskies have the typical appearance of northern dogs. It has a compact body, fluffy fur, small erect triangular ears, and a sickle-shaped tail.

They are usually compared to Alaskan malamutes and are even confused with wolves. They also tend to inherit the heterochromia gene, which allows them to have eyes of different colors.

Labs are stockier and bulkier. Make them more robust and less agile. Labradors are well-proportioned dogs, but they are generally square in shape.

Temperament (behavior): Labrador Retriever vs Husky

Huskies and Labradors have slightly different personalities.

So this will help you decide which breed is right for your family.

Huskies are hyperactive. He’s always on the go, always running and jumping. If you have young children, this may be better.

In contrast, Labradors are much calmer and more serene and will lay with your children while watching movies or taking a nap.

However, if you have older children and love to travel in the mountains, hike, or ride a bike, a Labrador will love to ride with you, but a husky will be in his element. And only quit if your family wants to quit.

Therefore, the Husky may be a better expedition partner if you have older, active children. It also performs better in colder climates.

two siberian huskies in a field of snow playing

Both breeds are known to get along excellently with other dogs and pets as long as they are properly socialized from puppyhood.

The only concern you should have is whether or not you bring an older dog into your family.They should fit in with your family if you get to know them through pre-meetings and trial runs.

The only animals a Labrador shouldn’t live with are anything with feathers, as his innate hunting instincts may kick in!

The Husky has no physical limits, is hyperactive, and has unlimited energy. On the other hand, Labradors need plenty of exercise each day, but they tend to take naps between plays.

Labrador Retriever vs Husky: Exercise Requirements

Both breeds require much exercise compared to the average dog. But let’s compare the activity of Labrador Retriever vs Husky in detail.

Labradors need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily, and Siberian Huskies need even more.

The average Husky needs at least 90 minutes of exercise per day. But he could go on like this for hours if you, the owner, had the time and energy.

The Husky is the original racing car. I made to pull the sled as long and as fast as possible. So this guy will prefer a long, brisk walk or jog.

Remember that following the dog`s ancestral purpose will make it the happiest.

Labrador is a hunting dog that retrieves prey from the water. Therefore, the ideal exercise for this dog would be playing fetch or ball in a local park with fields and lakes.  As this is his favorite pastime, it keeps him physically fit and mentally stimulating.

If you don’t train these guys properly, they become destructive.

Don’t let puppy dog ​​eyes fool you.

Labradors are known to munch on couches, and huskies are known to dig in gardens and jump over six-foot fences with ease.

Exercise and a source of energy release are essential for these dogs if you want a happy dog!

Therefore if your family loves long adventurous hikes or you are looking for a jogging partner, a Siberian Husky could be a better choice for your family.

If you’re looking for a playmate who will happily fetch and swim in the lake for an hour each day, a Labrador might be the perfect partner for your family.

Labrador Retriever vs Husky: Training

Both breeds are intelligent puppies and love to be disciplined by their owners.

Both require early socialization and react well to positive reinforcement training.

Both are used for tasks like search and rescue and drug detection. This is a testament to their unbelievable smartness.

Labradors are better known as service dogs for the blind. Also, they are therapy dogs because they have a calmer temperament than Huskies.

labrador retriever and husky smiling

However, Huskies are known to be more self-governing and stubborn. As such, he is more challenging to train than a Labrador.

Also, being initially from a pack, it needs a dominant pack leader. If he feels that there is no hierarchy in your family, he can try to play the role of top dog.

Not only does this lead to behavioral problems, but it also leads to unhappy families.

As long as his primary caregiver remains dominant and firm, he thrives and makes a great family pet. But he is not for a soft and gentle owner. Huskies also need toys to keep them occupied.

Overall, they are highly smart and trainable and will thrive in almost any training event they attend.

However, if it’s your first time owning a dog or if you don’t think you’ll be able to become an authoritative pack leader, a Labrador may be a better choice.

Labrador Retriever vs Husky: Health

Both Huskies and Labradors are generally healthy puppies, and both are prone to breed-specific health problems.

While no crystal ball can predict their health, it is sad for children to see their best friend sick.

Both are generally healthy puppies, but Huskies don’t have many primary health conditions.

He is a tougher housemate and lives an average of two years longer than a Labrador.

The main problems in Huskies are hip dysplasia and eye problems, primarily progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).

Labrador retriever puppy and Siberian husky puppy

Labradors are prone to elbow dysplasia as well as hip dysplasia.

Quality breeders test their labs for what is known as Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC).

Eye problems such as PRA and cataracts are also found in this breed.

Heart disorders and, hereditary myopathy, muscle weakness must also be checked.

Labs are probably the breed most prone to obesity. This guy is a hippopotamus who is always hungry and eats everything in sight (whether it’s edible or not!).

Obesity leads to many other health problems, so keep your dog healthy.

Grooming: Labrador Retriever vs Husky

Both Siberian Huskies and Labradors have thick double coats designed to protect them from the elements.

So both are heavy shedders.

Daily brushing is required to keep the coat manageable during the shedding season.

Huskies’ fur can be easy to spot as most have some form of white fur that sheds frequently.

Neither of these breeds is your best bet if you’re concerned about dog hair.

About 10% of the American population suffers from dog allergies.

No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but some breeds shed far less hair and are more suitable for allergy sufferers.

If your family has dog allergies, consider another breed that sheds less and is less prone to causing allergies for people.

Huskies shed more, and their hair is longer, so they are not recommended for people with severe allergies.

Labrador Retriever vs Husky: Family friendliness

Family friendliness is an essential factor for many.

A child is very active and inquisitive. They will soon call your husky their new best friend and want to be with them all the time. Your husky will love this, but it’s essential always to be nearby to keep an eye on what’s happening.

Do not let your child tease or excite your Husky repeatedly.

Remember that all dogs have their limits.

It is up to you to take responsibility and be aware of how your child interacts with your Husky.

On the other hand, Labradors are known to be very good and gentle with children.

Their relaxed, laid-back disposition and usually very low levels of aggression mean that they are usually OK with being petted, hugged, and poked at by children.

Protect and Guarding: Labrador Retriever vs Husky

Siberian Huskies are not good guard dogs. They are not a Guardian breed as they lack natural aggression and are known to be challenging to train.

They like people and are more worried about who will play with them, not who shouldn’t be there.

So Siberian Huskies are not the best candidates if you want a guard dog.

fat siberian husky smiling with closed eyes

Labs are not the most traditional breed to serve as guard dogs, so they require a certain level of innovation to become guard dogs.

Their innate trainability gives them an edge.

Both breeds are social dogs, and they get along with humans very well, so if you are not specifically training them to be guard dogs, their natural instincts will not make them guard dogs.

Conclusion

Both labs and huskies are known to make great family pets. Let’s compare their stories to see which is the better dog breed for you.

The Labrador Retriever is believed to be the extinct St. John’s Water Dog, while the Siberian Husky dates back about 3,000 years.

Huskies bred for work and sledding have thick coats to cope with snow.

Labradors are well-proportioned dogs, but they are generally square in shape. If you’re looking for a dog that will happily fetch and swim in the lake for an hour each day, a Labrador Retriever might be the perfect partner for your family.

The average Husky needs at least 90 minutes of exercise per day. Both breeds are intelligent puppies and love to be disciplined by their owners.

Huskies are known to be more self-governing and stubborn. Labradors are better known as service dogs for the blind. Both are generally healthy puppies. Labs are probably the breed most prone to obesity.

Huskies shed more, and their hair is longer, so they are not recommended for people with severe allergies.

Siberian Huskies are not good guard dogs as they lack natural aggression and are challenging to train.

Labrador Retriever are known to be very good and gentle with children. If you can’t decide between the two, choose the Huskador – a cross of Husky and Labrador.

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