Siberian Husky

Huskies are vivacious, fun-loving, strikingly beautiful pack dogs that are friendly with nearly everyone, naturally clean, and always ready for a game. Living with one means providing vigorous daily exercise, a secure fence and leash at all times, tolerance for hair and singing, and company from people or another dog for most of the day.

Temperament

The AKC describes Sibes as friendly, fastidious and dignified, with a keen but amiable and even mischievous expression, and scores them 5 of 5 for affection with family, openness to strangers and playfulness. VCA adds vivacious, smart, fun-loving, mischievous and often obstinate, noting it takes a will of iron to pull a sled for miles. That combination is the whole breed: a dog that adores people and other dogs, is delighted by everything, and has its own ideas about what happens next. The AKC scores trainability 3 of 5 and VCA says Huskies learn well but bore easily and can be focused and strong-willed. Their friendliness makes them, in the AKC's words, indifferent watchdogs. As born pack animals, VCA says they are happier with another dog or with their humans, and they are cautious with strangers only briefly, warming up quickly if you do.

“Siberians are vivacious, smart, fun-loving, mischievous and, often, obstinate”

VCA Animal Hospitals

Daily needs and attention

Be honest about time before adopting a Husky. VCA's ideal owner is very active, with a part-time schedule or willing to hire a dog walker, and the AKC says Siberians are very social, regularly need the company of their people or other dogs, and are not suited to being left alone all day. VCA's home-alone note is short: bores easily and can get into mischief. A working household can succeed with a plan: a long run, hike or bike-joring session before work, a second outing after, and either a second dog or a midday walker or daycare on office days. Humane World notes daycare, a walker or a sitter all help dogs that struggle alone. The AKC says urban owners can use daily walks and doggie play groups, and that a busy, active Siberian is a happy one. With less, expect escapes, digging, howling and a redecorated sofa.

“Siberians are very social, and regularly need the company of their people or other dogs; they are not suited to being left alone all day.”

American Kennel Club

Health and lifespan

Huskies are among the healthier large breeds. The AKC lists 12-14 years, calls the breed generally healthy and relatively long-lived, and says the incidence of hip dysplasia and eye disease is relatively low, as is the incidence of two newly identified neurologic diseases; the AKC's recommended screening is hip evaluation, ophthalmologist evaluation, and DNA tests for Shaking Puppy Syndrome Type 1 and Siberian Husky Polyneuropathy Type 1. VCA's advice for adopters is to ask whether the parents were certified free of hip and eye problems. Cancer and arthritis occur as in all breeds. Diet is unusual: the AKC says Huskies were bred to work on the least amount of food and maintain weight on less than other dogs their size, so overfeeding is the common mistake, and a lean dog lives longer. Eye checks matter because juvenile cataracts and other eye conditions are the breed's most cited inherited issues.

“The incidence of hip dysplasia and eye disease is relatively low as is the incidence of two newly discovered neurologic diseases.”

American Kennel Club

Habits and behavior

Running is the defining habit. The AKC says Siberians were bred to run and will do so at every opportunity, and VCA's challenges list reads: prone to running away, some like to dig, not always great with other pets. Prey drive is strong; the AKC says these dogs cannot resist chasing small animals, and VCA says cats and other small animals can look like a squeaky toy. Vocalizing is a breed signature: the AKC rates barking 5 of 5, and most Huskies howl, woo and argue rather than bark. Shedding is dramatic twice a year when the undercoat blows; VCA recommends frequent bathing and raking during the shed to avoid a wall-to-wall hair carpet, and the AKC says weekly brushing otherwise. On the plus side, the AKC calls the breed naturally clean with little doggy odor, and Huskies often groom themselves like cats.

“Prone to running away; some like to dig; not always great with other pets.”

VCA Animal Hospitals

Housing: apartment, house, yard and crate

VCA's ideal home is a fenced yard or access to one, and the fence is the key detail: tall, secured at the bottom against digging, and checked regularly, because the AKC says the dog must be on leash, in harness or in a fenced yard at all times and never allowed off lead. An apartment can work for a very active owner; the AKC calls the breed adaptable and says daily walks and play groups can serve urban dogs, but it is the hardest setting for a bored Husky, who will sing to the neighbors. Climate: the double coat is built for cold, and VCA rates the breed high-maintenance for grooming. Summer needs care: exercise in cooler hours, shade and water per Humane World, and never shave the coat. A crate helps with the mischief phase; Humane World advises making it pleasant, never punishment, and not crating so long the dog misses exercise and company.

“A loose Siberian Husky is one you can kiss good-bye. Leash training and a strong fence are necessities.”

VCA Animal Hospitals

Challenges

Plan for five things. Escape: fences, gates, doors and leashes need to be Husky-proof from day one. Exercise: this is a marathon-runner breed, and a walk around the block is not exercise. Independence: VCA advises owners to be prepared for a skirmish of wills and to win with firm consistency, and suggests exercising the dog thoroughly before a training session. Prey drive: cats, rabbits and small dogs need careful management. Hair and noise: twice-yearly coat blows and a vocal, opinionated dog are part of the package. VCA says experience with dogs is definitely preferred, and adopters should take that seriously. None of this is a flaw; it is a sled dog being a sled dog. The AKC's summary is that a busy and active Siberian is a happy and healthy Siberian, and owners who provide that describe an easy, cheerful, good-natured housemate.

“Owners should be prepared for a skirmish of wills and be prepared to win – firm consistency is the key.”

VCA Animal Hospitals

The fun part

A Husky is the ideal partner for people who want to be outside. Running, hiking, skijoring, bikejoring and recreational sledding are all natural, and the AKC notes that owners can train their dogs to work in harness and enjoy rally, agility and obedience as well. VCA says they are always ready for a game, and their play style with other dogs is exuberant and hilarious. The talking is a daily entertainment: the howls, woos and back-talk are a big part of why owners adore the breed. They are striking to look at, with the AKC describing almond-shaped eyes of brown or blue, or one of each, and VCA noting coats of white, gray, black, brown or red with white markings. The AKC's description of a dog that enjoys family life, gets on well with other dogs and is naturally clean sums up the everyday pleasure of living with one.

“As born pack dogs, they enjoy family life and get on well with other dogs.”

American Kennel Club

Living with kids, cats and other dogs

Kids: the AKC scores the Husky 5 of 5 for good with young children, while VCA recommends older kids, mostly because a strong, bouncy dog on a leash is more than a small child can manage. Supervise as with any large dog. Other dogs: this is a strength. The AKC scores good with other dogs 5 of 5, and VCA says Huskies love a pack and are friendly with other dogs; many Husky owners find a second dog is the single best solution to the breed's need for company. Cats and small pets: this is the area to be honest about. VCA says Huskies are liable to find smaller animals, including cats, much like a squeaky toy, and the AKC says they cannot resist chasing small animals. Some Huskies raised with cats coexist, but a rescue with unknown history should be assumed unsafe with cats, rabbits and chickens unless the rescue has tested it.

“They love a pack and are friendly with other dogs, but are liable to find smaller animals, including cats, much the same as a squeaky toy”

VCA Animal Hospitals

What to ask the rescue

Huskies are frequently surrendered for exactly the traits above, and VCA notes breed rescues are a good place to look. Ask why the dog was given up and whether escaping, digging or howling were involved. Ask about cats: has the dog been tested, and what happened? Ask about other dogs, since a Husky that lives well with a housemate dog is often easier for a working home. Ask how it behaves on leash and whether it has ever slipped a collar or harness. Ask about alone time and whether it has been crated or left in a yard. Ask about eye exams and any limping, and about weight and feeding amounts, since the AKC notes the breed needs less food than expected. Ask when the last coat blow was so you know what is coming. Finally, ask what the dog loves most: running, wrestling with dogs, snow, or talking to you.

Sources

• American Kennel Club - Siberian Husky
• VCA Animal Hospitals - Siberian Husky
• Humane World for Animals - Helping dog separation anxiety
• Humane World for Animals - Keep pets safe in heat
• Humane World for Animals - Crate training
• ASPCA - Pet Statistics