If you are looking for a friendly, sweet dog to be a member of your family, then the Husky breed might be the furry partner for you. They are playful, but at the same time, working and security dogs. Plus, their cute appearance means you’re guaranteed to fall in love with them.
History of the Husky breed
A tribe in eastern Siberia known as the Chukchi developed the Husky over 3,000 years ago to be their sled dogs. In 1908, the breed came to North America and participated in the All Alaska Sweepstakes race held in 1909. During this race, where a pack of Huskies came in second, their popularity skyrocketed.
In 1930 there was a ban on exporting Huskies from Siberia to the US. However, in the same year, the America Kennel Club officially recognized them. The organization has labeled the breed as popular watchdogs.
Quick Facts about Husky
| TRAITS | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 12-14 years |
| Size | Medium |
| Height | Male: 21-24 inches Female: 20–22 inches |
| Weight | Male: 45-60 lbs Female: 35-50 lbs |
| Energy level | High |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Grooming level | Medium |
| Shedding | Medium |
Husky breed Appearance
If you have ever met these canines, you would know they look like a wolf. If you look at one at a glance, the resemblance is uncanny, with erect ears, symmetrical proportions, and a bottle brushtail. Actually, they have inherited them from their ancestor, the Chukchi dog.
Huskies have these almond-shaped eyes, which are often bluish-grey in tone. It has been discovered that their unique eye color is often because of some special genes.
Build
These pups have a huge muscular body with some thick fur and an arched back. These hounds look scary because of this and the fact that their ears are always erect.
Height and Weight
The height and weight of these gorgeous pups vary. However, on average, a male Husky can be as tall as 21-24 inches and weigh 45-60 pounds. On the other hand, a female Husky can grow as tall as 20-22 inches and weigh 35-50 pounds. This height and weight is an average estimate and can differ greatly depending on the diet you feed your furry companion.
Colors and Coat
We can’t stop talking about the furs these little ones have. They have a beautiful double coat with medium-length hair. Additionally, the undercoat is soft compared to the outer coat, which is rigid.
Your Husky can come in different colors and specific markings too. Luckily, the AKC has accepted almost all the colors, including that icy white. You can see their lush, thick fur spread around their whole body.
Personality Traits of the Husky breed
A Husky’s personality is very calm yet obedient. Besides, these pooches love having their owners with them wherever they go. So this means you have to take them for a regular walk. They have a reputation for being as cold as the environment. However, this is one of the warmest breeds you’ll ever meet.
Child Friendly
Because they are so energetic, kids will have a great time playing with the pooch. Your Husky will also love being around them, especially if they are little. Your pup will jump around from excitement and show its affection by howling.
Sociable With Other Pets
As we already discussed, these social buddies are best friends with everyone. It doesn’t matter if you have other dogs or cats in the house; a Husky will befriend them all. So putting a Husky and a cat in the same room is highly unlikely to end up in a fight!
For First Time Owners?
Since their playful and persistent simultaneously, first-time owners will have a tough time with these dogs. These pups are somehow headstrong and may become destructive if you don’t properly train them. So if you are thinking of being a parent to a Husky, you need to arrange some proper training.
Apartment Friendly?
Huskies are bred to be energetic, lively, and super active. These furry buddies are often happy in open spaces where they can satisfy their drive to be active. So, if you live in a small apartment, you might have an unhappy Husky on your hands. However, regular walks can remedy this.
Intelligence
Considering the Husky’s size, you might find it a bit odd that they are a bit aloof. Even though they have been developed to be active, they have average intelligence. Because of this, you might have a tough time getting them to obey your commands.
Barking Restraint
Huskies rarely bark, so don’t expect any unnecessary howls at night. However, if they do bark, it will most likely be a light howl. And the beauty about it is that it won’t annoy the neighbors.
Husky breed Temperament and Instincts
We would be lying if we told you that Husky puppies are rude and do not get along with everyone. They may seem shy at first, but they are going to be your best friend once you get along with them. Plus, they are way too sweet to almost anyone they meet.
High Prey/Hunting Drive?
Huskies have a strong hunting drive, and they’ll often try to catch small furry animals like squirrels, rabbits, or ducks. A young Husky may not appear threatening to these other animals at first, but they will become more predatory and scary as they age.
How to Care For a Husky
If you want your Husky to be lively and curl up in your feet because of joy, you need to take care of him properly. You need to pay attention to a couple of things to ensure your pooch is happy and healthy.
Grooming
Huskies require weekly brushing and combing, especially on the back legs, and more frequently while shedding. To avoid foot problems, pay special attention to the length of their nails and keep them clipped. Also, do not forget to have regular teeth brushing routine.
Shedding
Being a double-coated dog, you can expect your Husky to shed, and the shedding might be more visible when your pup blows its coat in the spring and fall. Despite this, the breed is pretty low-maintenance and sheds less compared to other dogs.
Diet and Feeding
As they are one of the most active breeds, Huskies need a high protein diet. And due to their muscular build, it is necessary to monitor their food intake and weight to avoid obesity. You can give them treats, but only as a reward and not in high amounts.
Activity and Exercise Requirements
Huskies are energetic, athletic and require a lot of physical activity. These pooches are working breeds who thrive when they have something to do. For this reason, you need to give them regular exercise to keep their body active and their mind stimulated. Besides, participating in activities with your furry companion will deepen your bond.
How to Train your Husky
Most suitably, these pups can be trained using obedience training and social training techniques. Besides, you have to be strict while training and teach them good manners to follow. Since Huskies are highly social dogs, they will grow anxious if you leave them alone all day long.
Health Problems common to husky breed
Husky puppies are some of the healthiest breeds of dogs, but you cannot completely rule out that they might develop a condition later on in life. Some common diseases include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, elbow dysplasia, cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Corneal Dystrophy. You are more likely to get a perfectly healthy dog if you purchase your pup from a reputable breeder.
Is Husky the Right breed For You?
A Husky can be your perfect little partner in two cases:
- If you have lots of space: As they are an energetic breed, they need a large play area to burn off some energy.
- If you spend most of your time at home: Huskies can become destructive when left unattended for too long since they are highly sociable dogs. They’re perfect for you if you work from home.
Should You Buy or Adopt A Husky?
A Husky may roughly cost you around $100 to $2500. However, this price may greatly vary based on factors like the color of their coat and lineage. You’re better off purchasing puppies. Since they are tiny and still discovering the world, you can train them easily. But don’t forget to ask for the health certificates from the breeder.
If you need a grown Husky, you can adopt them from animal shelters. However, make sure that they are healthy, meaning they have had all their checkups and shots. One advantage breeders have from adoption is that they are authentic and will always have a healthy breed.
Husky breed Facts And Figures Summary
Appearance
- Triangular face
- Erect ears
- Muscular body
- Short-haired
- Double coated
- Grey eye
How to care
- Brush hair once a week
- Brush teeth regularly
- Check for toenails
Health Problems
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Cataract
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Corneal Dystrophy.
Personality traits
- Energetic
- Affectionate
- Playful
- Sociable
How to train
- Obedience training
- Social training
Daily Routine
- Wake up
- Potty time
- Breakfast
- Potty time
- 45- minute walk
- Potty time
- Lunch
- Potty time
- Snack time
- Playtime
- Dinner
- Walk
- Potty time
- Snack time
Facts and FAQs about the Husky breed
Is a Husky suitable for a family with children?
Huskies are great pets for families with children. They can be quite patient with toddlers. However, like other dogs, huskies should be supervised when playing with little ones. Plus, they are also quite friendly toward strangers.
Is it difficult to train Huskies?
Huskies are difficult to train and will be a challenge to new parents. They need owners that are confident and can set rigid rules for them to follow.
Can huskies adjust well in hot weather?
Yes, it is true! These pooches can adapt to several climates, from environments as cold as negative 75 degrees Fahrenheit to tropical regions like South Florida. However, this doesn’t mean that you can leave them out in the sun for a long period. Huskies have a winter coat and can easily overheat in the winter.
Can I have my Husky with me in an apartment?
Huskies are a lively and energetic dog breed and love to be active all the time, so they might need a lot of space to let all that energy out. You can have them in an apartment only if you can give them an appropriate routine of exercise.
Can a Husky protect me?
Huskies, by their very nature, are fiercely loyal to their owners. Still, many parents find it hard to make this pooch a watchdog. It all comes down to letting your furry companion know that you’re part of their pack – someone they should defend.
Are Huskies involved in aggressive chewing?
Huskies are hunting dogs by nature, and because of this, they are likely to practice biting. If you have a young Husky, he will most likely bite as soon as he becomes excited. If you have young children, this behavior is very problematic and should be trained for them.
Is a Husky a high-maintenance dog?
These pups need proper exercise to maintain their health. However, if you fail to provide them with enough exercise or mental stimulation, they may exhibit destructive behaviors, such as biting.