What do you get if you cross an Australian Shepherd dog with a Siberian Husky? An Aussie Husky aka the Australian Shepherd Husky Mix.
The Aussie Husky, is a good-looking, high energy, medium-sized dog breed. It’s fiercely loyal and protective and with obedience and socialization training can make a trusted working dog or family member.
Sometimes it’s also referred to as an:
- Aussie,
- Aussie Husky dog,
- Aussie Husky Mix,
- Aussie Huskie,
- Australian Husky,
- Australian Husky Sheppie,
- Australian Shepherd Husky Mix,
- Australian Shepherd Siberian Husky Mix,
- Australian Shepherd Mix,
- Husky and Australian Shepherd Mix
- Aussie Siberian.
The Aussie Husky is a mixed-breed dog from cross-breeding a purebred Australian Shepherd with a purebred Siberian Husky dog. This produces what’s known as a new designer dog.
Designer dogs, or hybrid dogs, can have a variety of coat colors and characteristics within the same litter, depending on the split of genes and appearance of the parent breeds.
This hybrid dog breed is highly intelligent with an impressive physique and stunning appearance with its expressive piercing eyes and high energy level.
An Australian Shepherd Husky mix puppy is very cute and will show great loyalty as a family pet and companion for any dog owner that can manage long walks
A brief history of this crossbred dog
The Australian Shepherd Husky Mix is a crossbred dog; not a purebred dog breed.
It is a mix of two purebred dog breeds that are both individually registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC): The Australian Shepherd and the Siberian Husky.
Fact: Two different dog breeds intentionally cross bred are known as a designer dog; any hybrid dog or mix dog, will inherit its characteristics from both parent breeds but it’s impossible to predict exactly what the result will be until it is born and observed.
Meet the parents: The parents’ breed history:
Parent 1: A brief history of the purebred Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd parent, the Aussie, is gaining popularity as a dog breed and currently ranks as the 15th most popular dog breed in the United States according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The Aussie was originally bred as a herding dog, but it’s not from Australia!
Fact: The Australian Shepherd dog did not originate in Australia; it’s an American purebred dog!
It has roots in Australia but was bred and refined in the 19th Century, as a herding dog to work on ‘Cowboy ‘ranches in the Western United States of America.
The Aussie has a reputation as an intelligent working dog that is easily trainable. With proper obedience training and socialization, it can be used as an expert herding dog, shepherd dog, service dog, guard dog or in search and rescue roles.
The Aussie has a high energy level, strong herding instinct, and is happiest when active. This dog breed can be a great family dog or working dog as long as it is kept mentally and physically occupied.
The pure-bred Australian Shepherd is a medium-size dog. Its coat color and pattern come in various combinations, merle and solid: Black, Black tricolor, Red Merle, Red tricolor, Blue merle, and Tan.
The miniature Australian Shepherd dog is not a mini purebred Aussie (that would be due to a defective gene causing a growth disability known as dwarfism), it’s a crossbreed dog; usually crossed with a Collie, Poodle, Pitbull or Terrier dog
Parent 2: A brief history of the Siberian Husky parent – a purebred dog
The Siberian Husky
Who doesn’t admire the wolf-like Siberian Husky dog breed?.
The Husky dog breed originated in the northern areas of Asia, now known as Siberia. Siberian Huskies were bred by the Chuchki tribal people, some 3000 years ago, as companions and working sled dogs to transport goods and the Chuchki people too.
Siberian Husky dogs or Alaskan Huskies are pack dogs, used as sled-dogs in the Early 20th Century Alaskan Gold Rush and the sled-dog ‘Serum Run’ transport to deliver the serum cure during the 1925 Diphtheria outbreak across Alaska.
The Siberian Husky breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1930 and ranks as the 14th most popular dog in the United States. It now has its own breed club, the Siberian Husky Club of America.
The different types of Siberian Husky dogs
The purebred Siberian Husky has a mix of Husky coat colors – black, white, silver, agouti, red, copper, brown in a solid color, Piebald, or a mix. The pure white Siberian Husky is the rarest color of the breed.
They all have distinctive triangular-shaped erect ears, and almond-shaped eyes in a variety of colors: Blue, Brown, or one of each colored eyes (one brown and one blue). Less commonly their eye color can be green or amber.
Meet the offspring: The Australian Shepherd Husky Mix
The hybrid offspring is the Australian Shepherd Husky mix puppy – the Aussie Husky puppy.
Fact: Designer dogs are increasing in popularity and they’re given a cute combo name, known as ‘Portmanteau’ names, such as ‘Aussie Husky’ or ‘Aussie Siberian’.
Australian Shepherd Husky Mix puppies inherit characteristics from both parents: purebred loveable dogs so Aussie Husky puppies will be too.
Any Australian Shepherd mix or Husky mix breed dogs are likely to inherit some health issues: Hip dysplasia, Elbow dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and other eye problems can occur at a young age.
What are the main characteristics of an Australian Shepherd Husky Mix?
The Australian Shepherd Husky Mix can inherit characteristics from either parent breed or both.
Crossbred dogs are no more likely to inherit health problems than purebred dog breeds; they may actually be stronger due to ‘Hybrid Vigor’, where crossing two purebreds actually widens the gene pool and may lessen the impact of certain hereditary diseases.
Any puppy mixed dog can inherit all, some, or no health issues from its parent breeds.
Fact: Mixed breed dogs rarely inherit exactly 50% of their characteristics from one parent and 50% from the other. It can be heavily weighted towards the characteristics of one parent more than the other.
The characteristics of an Australian Shepherd Husky Mix are a combination of nature and nurture: genetics of the parents, the environment, and the quality, type and amount of training and socialization. The personality and appearance of any mixed breed dogs can vary between family members or even within the same litter.
The Australian Shepherd Husky Mix – possible coat colors
As both parent breeds – the Australian Shepherd and the Siberian Husky dog – have a thick coat of medium length, a water-resistant top coat, and a warm undercoat, which will shed a lot, the Aussie Husky mix will too!
Australian Shepherd Huskies can have a tricolor coat color, including black, blue merle, red or red merle, white or tan
As with any mixed breed dog, the Australian Shepherd Husky mix’s appearance will be more difficult to predict than a purebred dog, until it’s born and grows.
Fact: The merle gene is associated with health problems and if both parents have this dangerous gene it can cause various eye diseases and deafness in their offspring.
Loyalty and companionship
The Australian Shepherd Husky Mix is a relatively new cross-breed. Given its parent mix, it will become extremely loyal, affectionate, and bond closely with its extended family. As a pack dog and it will want companionship and give it in return.
It makes a very caring and protective companion and craves company and inclusion.
Reputation:
This cross breed dog combines the skills and discipline of an expert hunting and herding dog with the resilience end endurance of a working sled-dog. Both are highly intelligent and although loyal to their family they are wary of strangers.
As both parents have herding instincts the Aussie Siberian will want to work and herd, so socialization and proper obedience training needs begin at a young age otherwise this breed might attempt to herd young children and other family pets.
They have a reputation as a high energy breed that can be gentle but can inherit the Aussie cautious nature and the pack dog dominance traits of any Husky mix. It will be aloof with strangers which would make it suitable as a guard dog or protective family pet.
It is not known as an aggressive dog but as it is very energetic with lasting energy and likes to work. It can be destructive or mischievous if bored or left alone for long periods of time.
Popularity:
Designer dogs are rising in popularity and a Husky mix is becoming highly desirable. An Australian Shepherd and Siberian Husky mix will have a striking appearance with piercing wolf-like eyes. It will be smart and is likely to inherit the loyal personality and companionship traits from both parent breeds.
Trainability:
An Australian Shepherd Husky Mix puppy will need to be behavior trained and socialized early as is will inherit a herding instinct and be highly active. It will need to follow commands for control. This mixed breed is naturally protective and aloof with strangers.
Instinct may kick in, so this herd focused mixed breed cannot be allowed to herd small children and other smaller pets.
This is a very intelligent breed should be easy to train and enjoy the challenge as it is a working type dog. Positive reinforcement and small food-based treats work well but not harsh discipline or any form of negative punishment or physical restraint as it may quickly rebel.
Power and intelligence:
This mixed breed dog is smart, strong, and active with a herding and hard-working instinct.
It inherits resilience and drive from the Husky mix and the control and agility from the Aussie mix into this new breed. It will need to be challenged, incorporating mental and physical stimulation tasks and activities, but it may want to escape and investigate what’s outside of its yard.
Socialization:
Early socialization and discipline are highly recommended for any crossbred dog with a herding and working dog heritage.
Any hybrid dog with two intelligent, working dog parents will be strong-willed and need to be exercised often and kept occupied. They don’t thrive in a sedentary style environment but enjoy as much activity as its owner can provide.
When trained and socialized this mixed breed dog will be more predictable around children and other animals.
Purpose:
Any herding or working dog will want to be useful and please its owner. It will be content when kept busy and when it understands what’s expected of it.
Behavior:
The Aussie Husky is independent, protective, agile, and can be affectionate around people. This is a strong-willed mixed breed so it needs to be trained at a young age or it may show its independent streak in a negative way; becoming destructive or mischievous.
When properly trained it will be a playful and energetic, friendly companion and family pet.
Physical Characteristics of the Australian Shepherd Husky Mix
The Australian Shepherd Husky Mix dog has a striking appearance, with mysterious piercing eyes, sometimes of different colors, and a beautiful thick coat. it is a medium sized dog, and both male and females can be expected to grow up to a height of 20-23” (51-58cm). A healthy male can weigh 35-64lb (16-29kg) on average, and slightly less for the females at 34-62lb (15-28kg) for a healthy weight. An Aussie Husky has a life expectancy of 10-13 years.
Eyes: Brown, Blue, Silver or even each eye a different color
Ears: Medium to large floppy ears, triangular-shaped with rounded tips
Coat: A medium length, thick double coat with a big fluffy tail and it is a big shedder
Color: The coat color is influenced by both parents, and can be tricolor, multi color or single color, from Black, Brown, Blue merle, red, red merle, White or Silver and Red or Tan. It depends on the parents’ color.
Temperament:
This breed loves interaction and will be obedient, loyal, and protective of its family when trained. It needs to be kept busy as it has a hard work ethic, herding instincts and can be mischievous, destructive, and go exploring or herding if bored.
How should you train an Australian Shepherd Husky Mix?
This dog needs lots of exercise, very long walks, and tasks to perform. Husky mix puppies need to be trained and socialized early, with strict boundaries set. Positive reinforcement and reward based training work best.
Teach leash training early for the Aussie Husky puppy’s safety in busy places and with road traffic. A mix of training is most effective: obedience, discipline, agility, and socialization.
So, if you are not going to use a professional dog trainer:
1) Develop your basic command words: Find keywords such as Stop, Sit, Wait, etc. and be consistent and firm each time you use them
2) Crate – Buy a crate and practice using it. You will have to lock the cage in the early days so it knows it has to sleep there and be transported in it.
3) Potty training – Can be hit and miss for any new puppy that gets easily excited and lacks control, however products are available, such as mats and odor sprays to attract puppy go to the same spot each time
4) Walking on a leash – Consistency and clear voice commands with road awareness is important for this very active puppy’s safety.
Health problems and health issues
The Siberian Husky breed is known to suffer more health problems than the Australian Shepherd breed.
What health issues can an Australian Shepherd Husky Mix breed suffer from?
Hip Dysplasia (and elbow dysplasia) – this growth abnormality is common in both parent breeds. Hip and elbow dysplasia is a malformation of the joints, where the ball at the top of a limb does not fit properly into the socket and the ligaments attaching it are weak. This allows excess movement of the fitting causing eventual stiffness and pain.
Early warning signs are visual stiffness when walking, a reluctance to get up when prompted and a noticeable difference in walking style; limp or caution. It can occur at any age.
There is no cure only pain management and prescribed anti-inflammatories.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – a genetic condition that affects a dog’s vision. The retina in the eye degenerates and it can lead to blindness if not diagnosed and treated early.
Cataracts – where the eye lens clouds over and affects vision.
Heatstroke – any dog breed with a thick double coat that is more suited to tolerating cold weather conditions can easily suffer from heatstroke.
How do you care for an Aussie Husky?
Exercise needs
The Aussie Husky puppy is very energetic and needs to be kept busy with at least one hour of exercise per day, building up 1-2 hours a day in adulthood, therefore not suited to any dog owner who cannot manage a very high energy dog.
Feeding
Feed as a medium to large-sized dog depending on activity level. Split portions of dog food to prevent Bloat: an average of 3-4 cups of Kibble formulated food per day.
Grooming
This mixed breed dog has a thick double coat that will shed a lot and twice a year will lose more its coat as the season changes. It requires regular brushing, at least 2-3 times a week is recommended.
Bathing
Only bathe when required as their coat has a water-resistant texture and its natural oils would be stripped through excessive washing. Certain dog formulated shampoos have a double effect of cleaning while protecting its coat against fleas and insect bites.
Cleaning teeth, nails, and ears
Teeth need to be cleaned regularly to prevent a build-up of plaque. Chewing breaks down plaque, so use doggie chew-toys, bare-bones and soft toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Nails grow quickly in any active dog and need trimming regularly and checked for debris that could cause infection.
What’s life like for an Australian Shepherd Husky Mix?
Lifestyle
This Australian Shepherd Husky mixed breed dog loves to exercise, purpose, and challenging activities. This mixed breed loves to run around and suits a home with a big yard and lots of activity. They get bored easily and will destroy and chew things if continuously left alone. So keep them busy.
Positives and Negatives of ownership
Positives
- Intelligent and easy to train
- Striking appearance
- Extremely loyal and protective of family
- A great guard dog
- Great stamina
- Alert
Negatives
- A very independent and strong-willed dog
- A heavy shedder
- Needs to be kept very active
- Wary of strangers
- Needs activity and company, wouldn’t suit a sedentary owner
- Can be unruly and mischievous if under-stimulated
Commonly Asked Questions:
Q: What is the proper name of this mixed Husky and Australian Shepherd dog?
A. It’s an Australian Shepherd Husky Mix. Sometimes the Shepherd breed name is misspelled as Shepard, Sheppard, Shephert or Shepperd, or shortened to ‘Aussie Siberian’, ‘Aussie Husky’ or even an ‘Australian Husky’
Q. Is the Siberian Husky parent part wolf?
A. Fact: It is believed that the domestic dog is a genetic divergence from grey wolves and it was humans, possibly nomadic hunters, who domesticated dogs in Europe some 15,000 years ago.
Not many domestic dog breeds today have the appearance of what their early ancestors may have resembled, but the Siberian Husky dog actually does have wolf-like features.
The Siberian Husky’s wolf-like appearance is because of genetic admixture – the presence of DNA from a distant related population or ancient interbreeding.
Q. How much does an Australian Shepherd Husky Mix puppy cost?
A. Buying from a reputable dealer costs around $500-$1000
An alternative is to adopt from a rescue center – puppy or adult. The cost of adopting a rescue dog is much less than from a breeder, which could be around $150.
Warning: If considering adopting a rescue dog it is important to find out about the circumstances of why it’s in a rescue center, especially if it is a working/ dog or a herding dog – abuse, neglect, behavior or any other available details of the temperament or health issues of the parents.
Food costs around $40-$50 per month for an adult, and given their possible health problems you must factor in Vets fees, accessories, and toys from a retailer like Amazon.
Other Husky Related Guides
- The Red Husky
- Husky Mix Breeds
- Siberian Husky Dog
- The Goberian
- The Pitsky
- Miniature Husky
- White Husky
- Pomeranian Husky
- Alaskan Husky
- Corgi Husky Mix