Siberian Husky Overview
Meet the hero of countless movies and books, the Siberian Husky! Super friendly, super active, and packed with personality and standout physical features, they’re a dog best suited for grown-up families who love to get out and about. Intelligent and boldly independent, expect them to escape from your back garden if it’s not properly fenced, and you may face certain behavioural challenges if they’re your first dog. Surprisingly easy to groom, but with a thick coat which can lead to dehydration and overheating issues, Huskies are also highly sociable but can get anxious if not trained properly.
- Thinking about adopting a Siberian Husky? Check your local shelter first!
- Siberian Husky characteristics
- Siberian Husky grooming and hygiene needs
- A Siberian Husky’s behaviour and training needs
- A Siberian Husky’s mental and physical stimulation
- Are Siberian Huskies a good family dog?
- A Siberian Husky’s nutritional requirements
- Siberian Husky Spaniel breeding and finding a responsible breeder
- Similar dog breeds
Thinking about adopting a Siberian Husky? Check your local shelter first!
Before you start searching for a Siberian Husky puppy from a breeder, have you thought about adopting a dog? Adopting dogs from shelters gives them a second chance at the loving home they deserve. You might also come across a unique mixed-breed combining all the attractive traits of both sets of ancestral canine genes. A rescue Husky generally costs less, be properly vetted, and you’d be given plenty of advice on how to look after them. An adopted Husky would be ideal for an experienced dog owner. Why not look into adopting a dog today to find your new family pet?
Siberian Husky Characteristics: What Makes Them Unique?
Siberian Huskies, as a dog breed, stretch back thousands of years. They were used as sledding dogs by the Chukchi people of Siberia, and every part of their build and personality is based on this skill.
A middle-sized dog with piercing blue eyes, pointy ears, and an extra helping of energy, their thick coat helped combat Arctic climes. Intelligent and independent, they can be stubborn and their strong prey drive means your Siberian Husky’s behavior may come across as defiant when hunting for the nearest small animal around. They’re also famously vocal. You may find them howling for no reason whatsoever!
Huskies do have similar-looking dogs, such as the Samoyed, Akita and Alaskan Malamute.
A Siberian Husky’s grooming and hygiene needs
The Siberian Husky has a double-layered insulative coat, ideal for Arctic climates. Their coat sheds regularly, with spring and autumn prime shedding seasons. Despite this, they are surprisingly easy to groom. Brushing 2-3 times a week usually is enough to keep everything tangle-free, with daily grooming during shedding season.
You should bathe your Husky usually every month or two, using a dog-friendly shampoo which shouldn’t dry out their skin. Be sure to trim your dog’s nails when needed, and check and clean their ears every month. Brush their teeth every day.
To keep their skin and coat in top condition, we suggest having your dog professionally groomed every couple of months. Here’s an idea on dog grooming costs.
A Siberian Husky’s behaviour and training needs
The Siberian Husky temperament is one of intelligence, independence, energy, loyalty, and friendliness. They love to be outdoors running and playing but their determined prey drive, if not managed properly, can see them chasing small animals such as birds and cats. Huskies can be stubborn and vocal, too. Many owners tell stories of their pet just not moving or going in the opposite direction.
Early socialisation with other animals will help control their independent streak, as well as patience and positive reinforcement with regular dog training that includes plenty of play, praise and small but tasty adult dog treats. Be sure to have a secure garden fence, deep and high all around, as Huskies can dig underground and scale barriers. They also like to howl. Recognise what’s causing that vocalisation, such as boredom or attention seeking, and use appropriate training techniques and stimulation to help stop it.
A Siberian Husky’s mental and physical stimulation
A Siberian Husky’s behaviour is famously one of extraordinary energy; after all, they were bred to be sled dogs, pulling people and possessions across vast icy distances. With their intelligence and independence, they need lots of mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
Over 2 hours of exercise each day, at the very least, is recommended, making Huskies well suited to very active households. Huskies also love running, hiking, games of fetch, and agility training. As for mental stimulation, they love learning new skills, solving puzzle toys, and exploring new outdoor environments. A Siberian Husky’s lifespan is around 9-12 years, but you can keep them happy and healthy when all physical and mental needs are met.
Are Siberian Huskies a good family dog?
When it comes to the best family dogs, the Siberian Husky temperament means specific setups suit them best. On the whole they’re good with older children, but all dogs are individual, and their huge energy levels could be a cause for concern if you have small children or other small pets. Their strong prey drive compels them to hunt smaller animals, meaning if you also own a bird or a cat, you could find your Husky constantly chasing them.
However, early socialisation with small people and pets can help encourage your Siberian Husky’s behaviour to complement a busy family home. Add on plenty of patience, play, and positive reinforcement, and they can make great family pets who thrive in active households. If you like walking, jogging, running, and enjoying the great outdoors, then this may just be the dog for you.
A Siberian Husky’s nutritional requirements
To support a long, happy and healthy Siberian Husky’s lifespan, their unique nutritional needs must be met. Choose a complete and balanced diet tailored to the life-stage and lifestyle of your dog. This ensures that your Husky receives all of the nutrients they need, in exactly the right amounts and ratios, to support health and vitality. Pedigree® Multivitamins are a great way of boosting their key nutrient and mineral intake, too.
We hear a lot about dairy as a protein source, and if you’re wondering if dogs can drink milk, we’d advise against it as dogs are lactose intolerant. Milk tends to cause digestive upset and tummy discomfort, so always stick to plenty of fresh water to hydrate your Husky.
Siberian Husky breeding and finding a responsible breeder
Finding a good dog breeder is essential, so we have some top tips to help you with your research. Ask your family, friends, vets, local dog-focused organisations and charities for recommendations, as they may know verified breeders. Reputable breeders will have certification from the local council, health documents, and vaccinations recorded and readily available to show you. The dogs will look healthy, happy, well-socialised, and will have been properly vetted and micro-chipped. The breeder will also interview you. They want to ensure the puppy goes to a happy, safe, and secure household. The Siberian Husky temperament should be friendly and social with you and other puppies, as well as healthy-looking eyes, ears, and coats. The puppies should be easy to stroke and engage with you well.
Don’t forget that your local animal shelter may already have Huskies already waiting for a loving home. Adopting a dog can be a rewarding alternative to buying a puppy, as the rescue centre will be able to provide a detailed bill of health, as well as advice on how best to look after your new furry friend. Adopting a mixed breed dog can also help avoid some of the known health problems that pedigree Huskies can have.
A Siberian Husky’s behaviour is loyal, playful, and friendly, with tonnes of energy to burn off, which is why they need to be in an active home. Without proper training their strong prey drive kicks in, which might mean they’re unsuitable for houses with small pets. They’re vocal, independent, and are highly intelligent, making them best suited to exercise-loving owners without very young children.
If you’re keen on another breed, here’s our breed finder page.
