Siberian Retriever

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40-55 lbs
20-24"
Unknown
Siberian Husky
Labrador Retriever
Husky Lab, Lab Husky, Labrador Retriever Husky Mix, Labsky, Huskador

The Siberanian Retriever, also known as the Husky Lab or the Lab Husky Mix, is a medium to large dog that can measure up to 25 inches tall. These dogs are very friendly, playful, and affectionate. They are excellent companions, are great as guide dogs, and work well for police purposes as these dogs are very smart and obedient. The Siberian Retriever may have hunting instincts, therefore early socialization is recommended. When properly trained and given the opportunity to interact, they do great with children and other animals. This attractive hybrid has silky fur that can be black, white, gray, chocolate, and a mix of these colors. 
purpose Purpose
Working Dog, Companion
history Date of Origin
1990s
ancestry Ancestry
Siberian Husky, Labrador Retriever

Siberian Retriever Health

Average Size
Male Siberian Retriever size stats
Height: 21-25 inches Weight: 45-60 lbs
Female Siberian Retriever size stats
Height: 20-24 inches Weight: 40-55 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Canine Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Problems
  • Skin Diseases
Minor Concerns
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Arthritis
Occasional Diagnoses
  • None Known
Occasional Tests
  • Eye examination
  • Urinalysis
  • Neurological Examination
  • Blood Count
  • Complete Physical Examination

Siberian Retriever Breed History

The Siberian Retriver comes from the breeding of a Labrador Retriever with a Siberian Husky. The breeding of this designer-dog started two decades ago. The Labrador Retriever origins are in Canada, more specifically in the northeastern Atlantic coast of the country, in Newfoundland. At first, the breed was dubbed St. John’s dog after the capital of the region of origin. In the 1700s, the local fishermen owned Labradors for companion use and assistance with the catching of the fish. These dogs would work with the fishermen during the day and spend the night with the family. It is believed the St. John’s dog descended from the Newfoundland dog and small water dogs. Eventually, the English noticed these dogs and observed their good disposition and obedience, and decided to take them to England to be retrievers for hunting. The second Earl of Malmesbury took St. John’s dogs to England in 1830, being one of the first Englishmen to do it. He was also the first person to call these dogs Labradors. This breed was almost extinct in the 1880s and the Malmesbury family is credited with saving the breed. In Newfoundland, the government set restrictions and taxes for having these dogs. The restrictions were that one was allowed to own only one dog and having a female was highly taxed. This caused the disappearance of the breed in the region. These dogs are now the most popular breed in America and were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917. The breed was imported in the 1920s and 1930s from England. The Siberian Husky dogs are believed to come from the Chukchi, a Siberian tribe of nomads. There’s not much information about this breed’s origin, but it is known they are one of the oldest dog breeds thanks to DNA tests. The Chuckchi tribes used the Siberian Huskies for fast transportation, and they were as well family dogs, interacting with children. In 1908, this breed was imported to Alaska to be sled dogs during the gold rush. The Huskies raced in the 408-mile dogsled race All-Alaska Sweepstakes, and are still current competitors in the Sweepstakes. It is recorded that the last Siberian Husky exportation from Siberia was in 1930 when the borders were closed. The Husky was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930.  

Siberian Retriever Breed Appearance

The Siberian Retriever is a large dog that can be up to 25 inches tall. They have a silky, double-layer coat that can be short to medium in length. They come in a variety of colors like black, white, golden, chocolate, tan, and a combination of any of these colors. They can have piercing eyes in blue, brown, and hazel, and some dogs have different-colored eyes, like one blue and one brown. Generally, the Husky Lab dogs have a triangular-shaped head, with pointed ears that can be either droopy or upright.  These dogs have strong, athletic bodies with a pointed, curled tail.
Eye Color Possibilities
blue Siberian Retriever eyes
Blue
hazel Siberian Retriever eyes
Hazel
brown Siberian Retriever eyes
Brown
amber Siberian Retriever eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
black Siberian Retriever nose
Black
brown Siberian Retriever nose
Brown
Coat Color Possibilities
cream Siberian Retriever coat
Cream
black Siberian Retriever coat
Black
brown Siberian Retriever coat
Brown
gray Siberian Retriever coat
Gray
white Siberian Retriever coat
White
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Siberian Retriever straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Siberian Retriever Breed Maintenance

The Siberian Retriever is a double-coated breed, with silky hair that can be short to medium length. They are moderate shedders, although they may experience seasonal high shedding. Brushing daily with a pin brush is recommended to eliminate the dead hair and help them maintain healthy skin. Their ears should be checked and cleaned weekly to avoid infections, and their nails clipped when they get too long. Baths are required when they get too dirty or smelly. Remember that bathing too often might irritate and dry their skin. It is also recommended to brush their teeth three times a week to avoid dental decay and other issues. 
Brushes for Siberian Retriever
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Comb
Comb
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Siberian Retriever requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Siberian Retriever Temperament

The Siberian Retriever is an energetic, lively, intelligent, and loyal dog. They crave a lot of attention and playtime, and suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for too long. This hybrid is not a dog recommended for people who travel too often, as they get depressed. They are happy and active, and are great companions who will do best in a home with a yard. They do like to be indoors with their family, especially when it’s raining. These dogs might inherit a hunting instinct, therefore, early socialization is a must in order for these dogs to have a good relationship with other animals. They are also great with kids, but it is important to train the children to be careful and to respect the animal. This mixed-breed is excellent for work as they are very trainable, obedient and eager to please. They may also inherit the need to test their owners from the Husky side, so remaining firm and positive is important. 

Siberian Retriever Activity Requirements

These designer dogs require a lot of activity to stay healthy and happy, and to avoid boredom. They live best in houses with a yard. They require two daily walks also to avoid becoming overweight, as they may over eat and like to lay around thanks to their Labrador genes. These dogs also love swimming, as well as interactive games like Frisbee, carting, and agility games as they need mental stimulation. This breed is definitely for people with an active lifestyle and they will happily join you in running, jogging or fast walking. Taking them to a big park where they can run leash-free is an excellent activity for them. These dogs will also accompany their owners very willingly on a cycling adventure, so they are great exercise companions. 
Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
14 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Siberian Retriever

Similarly Sized Breeds to Siberian Retriever

Siberian Retriever Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.5 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost

Siberian Retriever Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Siberian Retriever size stats at six months
Height: 13.5 inches Weight: 25.0 lbs
Female Siberian Retriever size stats at six months
Height: 11.5 inches Weight: 23.5 lbs
12 Months
Male Siberian Retriever size stats at 12 months
Height: 20.0 inches Weight: 45.0 lbs
Female Siberian Retriever size stats at 12 months
Height: 19.0 inches Weight: 37.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Siberian Retriever size stats at 18 months
Height: 23.0 inches Weight: 52.5 lbs
Female Siberian Retriever size stats at 18 months
Height: 22.0 inches Weight: 47.5 lbs
author-img

Written by Darlene Stott

Published: 12/09/2017, edited: 09/01/2021

More articles by Darlene Stott

Siberian Retriever Owner Experiences

General
18 Months
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I have had him since he was 6 weeks old. I am an Iraq veteran and knew immidiately he would be an exceptional service dog for me. Even when he isnt feeling well he wants to work.
5 years, 11 months ago
Myloua
7 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Playing chase & retrieving
Running
swimming
She has been a great dog to have, friendly & outgoing, but can be very protective in the house when strangers come by. She is excellent with my son who is 11yrs old . They play together constantly.
5 years, 11 months ago
Tasha
11 Weeks
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Run
so far, she has been delightful. she is learning fast and is very friendly. she is shy of cats but curious.
5 years, 8 months ago
Shadow
3 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Hiking
Extremely intelligent dog; Very food motivated. Sometimes he won’t listen until he knows you have a treat for him. Not good off leash (Won’t come/runs when called).
5 years, 5 months ago
Bella-Girl
14 Weeks
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Hide the treat
Tug-of-war
wrestling
Jogging
Bella-Girl is an immensely intelligent dog and has learned the following commands thus far: sit, heel (stop), stay, come, paw,and "get it" which is fetch. She is a very affectionate and alert when she hears an unrecognizable noise, but friendly if greeted, otherwise just curious and standing near myself. Her and our cat Graycee haven't quite meshed yet, but she's calmer when the cat is around. Interacts with other dogs well and loves looking at other animals in the pet store. Haha
5 years, 4 months ago
Bear
2 Years
3 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Bear is a very loyal dog, I've had him since he was 6weeks old, hes very smart and has learned multiple tricks and commands. He has an enormous amount of energy, even after I take him on a long walk he comes back and instantly wants to play. Hes very stubborn any time I take him out of the house and doesn't react very well with some Male dogs at the dog park but he has not been neutered yet. Hes very loving but doesn't like to cuddle or be held. He has a very strong personality and will always keep you laughing and smiling but like I said ALOT of energy. He will constantly be in your face with a toy or tennis ball but doesn't bother me any. Overall very loyal loving dog that LOVES to run and play, would definitely recomend to anyone who has the time and patience.
5 years, 4 months ago
Lincoln
2 Years
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Lincoln is so cool! He came to us through Craigslist and has been a blessing to our family. We got him when he was 12 weeks old (we were told but I think he was only 8 weeks old) and he was the last of the liter (the dog no one else wanted). Now, at 2 years old, he is huge in comparison to what I see here, weighs 90 pounds and is not fat at all. Standing on his back legs he can put his paws on my shoulders and I am 5' 10" tall. We did a lot of training with a professional trainer starting days after getting him. He is Very Well socialized with all sized dogs and children. He can be weary of Adult men with beards or hats but overall he is very approachable. He has gotten to the point where I can walk him around the neighborhood off leash and stays very close to me. He loves his family and is always happy for us to come home, but is not your cuddly dog that will let you hug him for longer than 10-15 seconds. He is independent, would love to live outside which is where he spends most his time since we live on a corner lot with a large fenced back and side yard. He is very smart, likes to play hide and seek with my 10 year old and is the center of attention if he is the same room with the family. He is a great listener! We tell him 'bedtime' once and he heads straight to his crate, doesn't matter what's going on, he goes immediately. He is an earlier riser, once the sun comes up we can count on him coming to the bed and nudging us with his nose to wake us up so no sleeping in on the weekends! He is big enough to see up on the counter but has never counter surfed, which would be very easy for him to do! I have left breakfast on the counter when leaving in a hurry and when I returned it was still there untouched! Overall Lincoln is a dream dog! His demeanor is AMAZING! If I had to point out somethings I wish I could change about him about the only thing I could think of is that he greets every human the same as he does other dogs...with a sniff of the behind which can be embarrassing, especially if I don't know the person that came up to pet him!!
5 years, 4 months ago
Maddi
Three Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking, hiking
Wonderful dog but must keep active, or she tries to become a escape artist. Very smart. Loyal and faithful
5 years ago
Kuma
2 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
Fetch
Tug-of-war
Run
He is a lot of fun! Gives a lot of love. But has hit his terrible twos! He listens to nothing and has forgotten everything he was ever trained. Hopefully this will not last long! He is a major escape artist and when he gets out of the fence he is wide open at a full run!
4 years, 12 months ago
Apollo
4 Months
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He’s very loveable and so far easy to train. He has gotten used to having toys and has been playing with them. He knows where to go potty and to go to the door when he needs to do so
4 years, 12 months ago
Luna
5 Months
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Luna has been in training for our 11 y/o since we got her at 10 weeks. She has excelled in all of her training ( she took on puppy, basic, advanced, and service training simultaneously) and never once broke a sweat or stopped enjoying the challenge presented. She is now finishing up her training and about to start school. She has surprised everyone with her intellect, energy, and size; she is almost 6 months and is 46 lbs and 21 inches high. She also alerts from other rooms as a psychiatric service dog. She is phenomenal. Best choice ever!!!
4 years, 7 months ago
Tundra
8 Weeks
7 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Walking
She has an odd tick... other than that, she's hyper but cuddly and loves to nibble but thankfully doesn't chew...yet.
4 years, 3 months ago
Maxie
7 Years
5 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Camping
swimming
Running
Dog Parks
Maxie is very active. She needs several walks a day. She definitely has more husky in her than lab. This makes her have a high prey drive and makes her a great escape artist. Now that she is older she doesn’t jump over fences or wiggle out her harness as much. She is also very stubborn. She’s smart enough to know what your asking when training but she just doesn’t want to do it, not even for big rewards. She’s not food motivated at all and she doesn’t over eat even when she is given the chance too. Once she’s outside she typically will not listen to any commands because she is really independent and rather be sniffing and pulling than listen. Frequent trips to large dog parks has made her a little better listener. When inside she really likes attention. She’ll come over to people and put her paw on them until they let her and when they stop she puts her paw back up. She likes to give hugs but is very gentle. She has never shown any aggression and she is hardly ever vocal. She is a gorgeous dog. People consistently ask about her and complement her. She weighs 65 pounds and is white and a yellow/golden color. She has brown eyes and her ears are floppy but go up when she’s focused. She does she’s a lot especially twice a year when she’s shedding her coat. Her fur is medium length and pretty dense it can be very soft when it’s clean but it can also get greasy easily. I’m never able to leave the house without her hair on my clothes. Overall she’s an amazing dog with a lot of personality and quirks. She can be the sweetest and most fun to be around and watch.
4 years, 2 months ago
Zadie
1 Month
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Zadie, my Sibirian Retriever is a playful, affectionate, and energetic dog. She bites a lot, always want the attention of owner, what a lovely dog.
4 years, 2 months ago
Athena
1 Year
4 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Runs
Long walks
Fetch
Athena is a healthy 60 lbs and she really loves to be involved with everything I do. She is obsessed with peanut butter and destroying and toy with stuffing.
3 years, 12 months ago
Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - My pet
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I have recently bought a puppy with quote it’s Siberian retriever but how could I determine it that it is as proclaimed? Not sure about it’s age but it’s pretty small less than a month when , how to get it vaccinated? Guide me...

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Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - My pet
Question

I have recently bought a puppy with quote it’s Siberian retriever but how could I determine it that it is as proclaimed? Not sure about it’s age but it’s pretty small less than a month when , how to get it vaccinated? Guide me...

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