The Husky Dog, also known as the Siberian Husky, is an intelligent and driven breed of dog that has excelled as a working dog for many years. These pups have been used as sled pullers, guard dogs and explorers, but also make an excellent companion for a family.
With both high stamina and strength, the Siberian Husky originates from Northern Asia and were bred by the Chukchi people. If you’re interested in learning more about this dog, where they come from, what their characteristics are and how to care for them, read on to find out everything you need to about the Husky Dog.
History Of The Siberian Husky Dog
The Siberian Husky is a very popular dog that is widely known across the world. They are still used as sled pullers in Alaska, but have also become a fantastic companion and are known for being an excellent family dog and a great playmate for children. They are somewhat a mystery to scientists, as they can regulate their metabolisms so they never get tired.
In 1930, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized this breed. The Husky dog was also recognised by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1938.
Breed Origin
The Husky Dog was first bred by the Chukchi people in Northern Asia and was trained to pull sleds in the harsh climates. They were first introduced to America when the Chukchi people brought the Husky to Alaska in the early 1900s so they could participate in Alaskan sled races. Though popular in Alaska, the Siberian Husky is not to be confused with the Alaskan Husky or Malamute, which are different breeds.
When the Siberian Husky won these races, everyone wanted one and by 1925 they had become a worldwide sensation. These dogs even helped to prevent a diphtheria outbreak in Nome by relaying sled teams to transport medicine.
Once recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930, the Husky Dog became very popular in the United States as a companion dog.
Characteristics Of The Siberian Husky
A Husky Dog is a wonderful dog, but they can be a handle when they are a puppy! They need constant supervision because they are wonderful escape artists and are extremely curious! They normally mature from around 2 years of age.
You can expect to pay anywhere between $1000 to $3000 for a Siberian Husky Dog puppy. The price varies from breeder to breeder, but it’ll also vary depending on the pups parents and their coat color. These dogs are normally born in litter sizes of between 4 and 8 puppies.
Appearance
The Husky Dog is a muscular dog and is often said to look like a wolf. Indeed, they are one of the best known wolf dog breeds. They have pointy ears and a fluffy tail. In the breed standard, it states that their body is the perfect balance of slenderness and endurance built for an efficient gait.
Male Husky Dogs usually stand between 21 to 23.5 inches and weigh between 45 to 60 pounds, while females are normally smaller and lighter, standing between 20 to 22 inches and weighing between 35 to 50 pounds.
The Husky eyes are almond shaped and can be a variety of colors, including blue, brown, and bi-colored.
Coat
The Siberian Husky’s coat is a thick double coat that protects them from harsh winters. However, it also helps to keep them cool in the summer by reflecting the summer heat. The coat can also be thick or woolly.
The Husky Dog sheds their undercoat twice a year which can lead to a great deal of brushing and cleaning! We will go into more detail about grooming your Husky later on.
Color
The Siberian Husky dog breed can come in a lot of colors. The most common colors are black and white — the white is on the underbelly and face and then the black covers it like a coat and mask. However, they can also be a number of other colors such as grey, wolf grey, silver, copper, light-red, agouti and sable. They can also be pure black and pure white.
The silver color is a much more expensive coat color to buy, and you will find silver colored Husky puppies at a much higher price.
Temperament
Despite their athletic build and stoic stance, the Husky is a fun loving dog who is known for being very silly! These dogs love people and love to play, making them an excellent family member and the perfect addition to any household.
These dogs can be very vocal — they do not bark, but they love to whine and howl when something is wrong or they’re upset, or even if they’re overly happy! Their love for talking does not mean they are aggressive though and they really are one of the friendliest pups you could meet!
Of course, the Siberian Husky has a pack nature and will have no trouble trying to establish their place in a pack — even with their owners. However, this doesn’t come out as aggression and this is not something they always show, but mostly when they are still maturing.
The Husky Dog can be aloof with strangers sometimes, which is why socialization is so important for this pup. We will go into more detail about that later on.
Lifespan
The average life expectancy of a Husky Dog is between 12 and 14 years.
Known Health Issues
Unfortunately, as with all dogs, the Husky breed can be prone to some health problems. We have laid out these main concerns below.
- Hip Dysplasia — this is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia.
- Cataracts — you might suspect your dog has cataracts if they are constantly bumping into furniture. Cataracts can be cured with surgery.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) — this is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parents and will not breed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now we have learnt all about the traits and characteristics of the Husky dog, we can take a look at what living with one of these dogs is actually like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise requirements and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
The Husky Dog requires a lot of food, but the amount will vary depending on whether your dog is training for a race, running a race, or is just a family pet. For a typical family dog, you can expect to feed the Siberian anywhere between 2 to 5 cups of dog food a day, or roughly 1,200 calories. Of course, you should always check how much of a certain dog food you should be feeding your doggy based on their weight.
Always make sure your dog’s food is high-quality kibble and meets all their nutritional requirements. Dog foods with fish are especially great for this breed, because it provides them with enough protein and fat. Generally, red meats should be avoided because they can be heavy on the stomach.
It is worth mentioning that the Husky Dog usually likes to eat after the have exercised, so feeding them after their morning run is normally advisable.
Best Dog Food For Husky Dog
CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food
BUY ON AMAZONWe recommend the CRAVE Grain Free High Protein dry dog food for your Husky Dog. This food is formulated with 34% protein from real salmon, inspired by the diet of dogs’ wolf ancestors. This high protein helps to keep their muscles lean and healthy so they can stay active for longer.
This food has no grains present in the recipe but there are quality carbohydrates for sources of energy. There are also vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in the formula to provide your Siberian Husky with a full and balanced diet. Even better, there are no chicken byproduct meals in this food, nor any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Exercise
It comes as no surprise that the Siberian Husky has high exercise needs, especially when you take a look at their history. These dogs need over 120 minutes of exercise a day, preferably in the form of a run!
These dogs also need to be mentally stimulated and can show signs of unwanted behaviors when they are bored. To combat this, think about giving your Husky a job to do. If you live in a colder climate, this could be dragging a small sled with a child or snow on just for fun. If you live in warmer climates, then you can get them to drag a cart around.
Huskies are also great at agility and obedience sport due to their activity level and intelligence, so this is something to think about!
Family Compatibility
As we have mentioned above, the Husky Dog is certainly a family dog! These pups love people and truly believe that the bigger the family, the better. They are very loyal towards their family and will protect those that they love. They are especially gentle with children too, but can also make an excellent playmate.
The Husky can be wary of those that they don’t know, so socialization is key. Socialization is also important if you are introducing your Husky to other pets who live in the home, or other animals in general. The Husky is a social dog and would like to have a four-legged friend in the house, so this is something to think about!
Siberian Husky’s are extremely athletic and energetic, so you must make sure you are able to dedicate at least two hours of your time every day to exercising this dog before you think about bringing them into your home. Luckily, they make excellent exercise buddies!
Training
The Siberian Husky is an intelligent dog and is therefore relatively easy to train. However, they can have a stubborn streak when they do not get their own way, so patience and consistency in training is essential from you!
Like all dogs, the Husky Dog responds best to positive reinforcement training and reward based training. This includes verbal praise as well as treats. You should never get angry or frustrated with your dog when training. They may not understand what is happening and this will cause them to not want to learn. You should ignore negative behavior and praise positive behavior so they learn which is more desirable.
Socializing
The Husky Dog is a social dog who loves humans. They also know to be gentle with children and can get on with other dogs. However, you should ensure that you start socialization from a young age so they understand there is nothing to be worried about. This socializing should be done frequently too, in many different ways.
You can introduce them to different sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a controlled and calm way. They will learn they do not need to be wary of strangers, children or animals, and you will raise a well-rounded and sociable dog.
Grooming
The Husky does not have very high grooming needs, but they do shed a lot! These pups will shed excessively twice a year, so you’ll need to invest in a good vacuum cleaner! They may also need to be brushed more during this time.
The rest of the year, your can brush your Siberian once a week. If you want to help loosen the undercoat, you can bathe them before brushing. Their nails will need to be trimmed every 1 to 2 months, which can be done at the groomers.
Never allow your groomer to clip or shave your Husky — their coat is what protects them from harmful UV rays and allows them to regulate their body temperature.
Try to brush your Husky’s teeth as often as you can. This will help to prevent dental decay and disease. You can also feed them dental sticks to help with this.
Siberian Husky Dog FAQ’s
How much does a Husky Dog cost?
A Husky Dog is an expensive pup! A Siberian Husky puppy can cost between $1000 to $3000, but it can depend on a number of things. It can depend on the breeder, whether the parent breeds are working dogs or not, whether the parent breeds are pedigree or not, and the coat color of the puppy. Colors such as silver are more expensive.
Can I adopt a Husky dog?
Unfortunately, due to the rise in popularity of the Siberian Husky thanks to TV shows such as Game Of Thrones, it is quite common to find these dogs in shelters. Owners don’t do enough research before buying and and don’t realize how much it takes to look after one of these dogs.
If you are looking to adopt a Husky, you can either check your local shelter or reach out to an organization that can help you find one of these dogs. These include Free Spirit Rescue, Husky House and Husky Club of America.
Summary
An extremely athletic dog, the Siberian Husky can look powerful and aggressive. While they are powerful and strong, these pups are super silly and family orientated and not aggressive at all! With a love for humans, they certainly believe that the more family members the better, and will want to show you how much they love. They love playtime as much as they love working and will thrive when given a job to do. Although they have high exercise requirements and you must be able to dedicate a large chunk of time to this breed, the Husky dog is a wonderful dog that makes an excellent companion.