Labrador Husky vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison

The Labrador Husky is a purebred, spitz-type dog which looks much like a Wolf. People think because it has the name Labrador Husky it is a cross between a Husky and Labrador. What it essentially means is that it is a Husky dog which comes from the region of Labrador, Canada.

It is a fairly unknown breed, but it is strongly believed that the dog was developed in Labrador, a region of northern Canada. In fact this is where the dog got its name from.

The attractive dog was used for sledding and it is also thought that the people of Labrador introduced Alaskan Malamute and German Shepherd in to add in some additional skills from these two dog breeds. The dogs were later domesticated so as to become companion animals.

The Dutch Shepherd is of Dutch origin, hailing from the Netherlands. They were originally used as herding dogs on the farms, where they became a jack-of-all-trades type of dog.

The Dutch Shepherd in those days, 100 odd years ago, were also known as Hollandse Herders.

These dogs are more rare in modern days, but when you do find them, they are being used as police or security dogs, as guides for the blind, or simply as family friends.

The wolf-like muscular Labrador Husky is a large dog standing at 51 to 71 cm in height and weighing 27 to 45 kg.

Labrador is a place known for its icy winters and the dog’s double coat protects it from the freezing temperatures.

The color of the coat can be white, grey and white, solid black, solid grey as well as red and white. In fact there can be several different coat colors in one litter.

He has a long muzzle like the wolf and blue or brown slanted eyes. Sometimes you’ll get one blue eye and one brown eye. He has pointed ears, a nose which can be black or a pinkish color, bushy tail and paws which are webbed.

Temperament:

Labrador Huskies make wonderful pets and they are good with children, particularly when they’ve been properly trained and socialized.

Because they are dogs which have worked in a pack, they also get on well with other dogs in the home. You’ll notice that your Labrador Husky won’t often bark but he will howl like a wolf.

He is a friendly dog and not aggressive. He is intelligent too and you can teach him some basic commands such as sit, stay and lie-down.

The Labrador Husky is a dog used to having a job so if you bring him into your home, you’ll need to ensure that you set aside time to exercise him as he will become frustrated and bored if he isn’t involved in your family life.

The Dutch Shepherd dog is very similar in appearance to the popular German Shepherds, being a medium to large sized dog.

The males are slightly heavier than females, but both males and females can stand between 55 and 62cm and weigh between 20 and 32kg.

There are actually 3 varieties found in the Dutch Shepherd dogs - short-haired, long-haired, and wiry or rough-haired. The dog has a double coat, consisting of a woolly undercoat and a top coat. The basic color of the coat is gold or silver through to red, giving rise to the brindle variations. Too much black or white seen in the fur is considered a fault.

In 1914 it was decided that brindle coats would distinguish them from the others.

The eyes of the Dutch Shepherd are dark, almond shaped and slightly slanting, while the medium sized ears are erect and high on the head and the thick tail is slightly curved. The dog has an unusually long tongue which is often found hanging out.

Temperament:

Early training and socializing for this dog is important so that he can learn to stay calm around new people, or visitors to the property.

The beautiful Dutch Shepherd doesn’t like being left alone for too long, loving rather to be involved with all that the family is involved in. They get on well with other pets in the home as well as being child-friendly.

They are happy dogs, who can also be smart and cunning, therefore highly trainable. They soak up new commands easily. Dutch Shepherds are also good watchdogs as they are fiercely loyal, and do not take kindly to strangers.

A Labrador Husky is a loyal, affectionate dog who is capable of forming a strong bond with his human family.

As a working dog, he loves being busy with fun and games and is playful and energetic and has good looks on his side too.

He is also an intelligent dog, strong-willed and confident and will require a firm, consistent owner who understands his need for regular exercise.

Social, lively and robust, the right environment will bring out all this beautiful dog’s best characteristics.

Your alert, intelligent and somewhat rare Dutch Shepherd is a loyal, protective dog, and while he can be aggressive around intruders and be a great guard dog, he can also be a gentle, loving animal around his human family members.

Though his tongue is long and often hangs out, you won’t have to contend with drooling. He is a wonderfully active dog and doesn’t easily gain weight. He isn’t a barker or howler, and his exceptional intelligence makes him highly trainable.

Whether there are children or other animals in the house, you can rely on your Dutch Shepherd to get on well with them, making him a wonderful family pet and canine friend.

Labrador Huskies can live to be between 10 and 13 years of age, and within a loving home he is generally looked upon as a healthy breed.

There are always typical dog problems that might be found in your dog, and a couple of the more prominent ones are listed -

Hip Dysplasia:

It can be a sad day for your Labrador Husky if he is diagnosed with hip dysplasia because if he is still used as a pack dog for pulling sleds it could well put him out of a job that he thrives on. It is a problem in the hips, and your once active dog may be in pain and may even battle to stand up after lying down.

He could even develop arthritis which can cripple him. He’ll need to get to the vet so that treatment can make life comfortable for him and to assist with pain.

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus - Bloat:

Deep chested dogs are more prone to bloat, and your Labrador Husky is a deep chested dog. The stomach of the dog expands with gas, blocking gas escaping and putting pressure on the abdominal organs of the dog.

In some cases the stomach can twist and then immediate surgery will be required. This is a life threatening illness. Try and avoid feeding your dog one large meal and feed him smaller meals instead. These days you also get feeding bowls that encourage slower eating.

The Dutch Shepherd dogs are the healthiest of the Shepherd breeds. They have relatively few health problems.

However, like the German Shepherds they may develop hip dysplasia, but this is in fact fairly rare. Get your pet to the vet if you suspect this in your dog because it can lead to lameness.

In 2018 the University of Minnesota identified a disease in Dutch Shepherds called Miositis. This is an inflammatory myopathy causing painful inflammation of the skeletal muscle tissue.

Grooming:

You’ll want to introduce a proper grooming routine for your pet as he has a thick double coat and he sheds throughout the year. Brush the thick coat 2 or 3 times a week, and set aside time to check for fleas and ticks and any appearance of lumps.

Exercise:

These are dogs which require a lot of vigorous exercise. Left chained or ignored he can become frustrated, run-down, bored and sick. He is a living, social animal that should only be brought into a household that acts responsibly towards him.

Diet:

Choose high quality food which is for high energy dogs. If you give him dry kibble, mix in some home-made food occasionally to add variety, and also try to include some raw meat from time to time. Always ensure fresh, cool water is available.

Grooming:

Unfortunately Dutch Shepherds shed quite a bit of hair during their shedding period in spring and autumn. This makes regular brushing important during these seasons so as to remove the dead hairs, especially from the undercoat.

The wire- or rough-haired variety shouldn’t be brushed but should rather be groomed by a professional groomer every 6 months or so.

Their nails need to be trimmed when necessary, to avoid cracking, splitting, or an injury.

Their ears can be cleaned weekly to get rid of any debris or wax build-up. This, if left, can lead to infection. Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid dental disease which brings on a host of illnesses.

Exercise:

These dogs do need regular exercising, and at the same time need to be physically and mentally stimulated. He is the kind of dog that has been used for herding purpose on the farm and he just craves activity. Take him with you on your walks and include him in ball games, hikes, jogging, swimming or when you go cycling – he is game for all kinds of activities.

Diet:

The formula for their diet would be that of a medium to large dog with high energy levels. The top commercially manufactured foods have been developed to include all the important vitamins and minerals. Fish oil can also be added to their food to keep the coat shiny.

Add in cooked rice, cooked vegetables and chicken from time to time and be sure to add in some raw meat occasionally to prevent problems with the skin. Always ensure that your pet has fresh, cool water to drink.