Often known as the ‘Siberian Husky’, Huskies are among the most identifiable and attractive breeds thanks to their thick, double-coated fur, pointed ears and bushy tail. With its origins in Siberia, where the indigenous Chukchi people used it as a sleigh dog, the Husky is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Known for its strength, speed and stamina, a Husky makes for a loyal and affectionate companion.
Facts & advice
Husky
Furry and friendly, playful and powerful, Huskies are a good choice for the active dog owner.
Vital stats
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| Size: | Medium |
| Coat: | Dense, double coat |
| Exercise | 2 hours a day |
| Life span: | 9+ years |
| Breed group: | Spitz |
| Temperament: | Friendly, playful, intelligent, loyal |
Husky temperament & personality
The Husky temperament is intelligent, playful and very friendly. They are known for their good nature as well as their love of people and they make loyal companions for people with active lifestyles.
- Huskies crave company and love nothing more than spending as much time as possible with their owners. They have a great sense of humour that comes with their playful side too.
- Having said that, Huskies also display an independent side to their nature as well as often being mischievous. They love exploring, will often try and escape from any insecure area and have a strong instinct for digging and burying.
- Their strong prey drive means it’s important to be very careful around wildlife as well as with other pets around the home. As with most dogs, the earlier socialisation can begin, the better.
- Not known as barkers, Huskies can still be very vocal and like the sound of their own voice. They have a distinctive howl that they will often do for no apparent reason.
- Huskies are best suited to people with active lifestyles and who spend a lot of time outdoors.
- As a pretty high maintenance breed – both from a behaviour and exercise point of view as well as in terms of grooming – Huskies are probably not the best choice for first-time owners.
- Huskies are not a good fit for owners who will leave them alone for long periods of time as they can suffer from separation anxiety and this will often lead to destructive behaviour.
Husky training & exercise
Bred for their power, stamina and endurance, the Husky is a very hardy and robust breed that needs lots of daily exercise.
Training tips
- Once fully vaccinated, Husky puppies should be socialised with as many different people, environments and other dogs as possible.
- Although high intelligence means they are a trainable breed, Huskies have a strong independent streak coupled with a very high prey drive. This means their training is never fully complete. Start their training early, keep it consistent and ongoing – particularly when it comes to recall – but be aware that any Husky is always likely to do its own thing at any given moment.
- Training a Husky is often about finding the right balance between firm but fair handling and making sure they get plenty of positive reinforcement. Being harsh with a Husky is unlikely to get the desired effect.
- However, as a pack breed, the Husky will instinctually acknowledge and respect the ‘top dog’ so it’s important for owners to use consistent and clear leadership to help make sure their pet is obedient, attentive and happy.
Exercise
- Adult Huskies need at least 2 hours of exercise per day. Bred for their long-distance sled hauling, these high-energy dogs combine stamina and speed with intelligence, athleticism and enthusiasm.
- Huskies will enjoy lots of vigorous walks but they must also be given the space and opportunity to run and explore. Do this in a safe and secure area as Huskies have a tendency to ignore the recall command and do their own thing. A very high prey drive and a mischievous, independent nature mean it’s always wise to keep a Husky on its lead during walks.
Keeping them happy
- As well needing plenty of physical exercise to burn off pent-up energy, a Husky craves lots of mental stimulation. Not only will this keep them happy, it will reduce the potential for destructive behaviour that can happen when they become bored or under exercised.
- An exercised dog is a happy dog – and this is particularly true of Huskies. But a mentally stimulated Husky makes for an even happier dog.
- Their thick coats means Huskies are prone to overheating. Make sure that exercise during the hotter summer months is taken earlier and later in the day when it’s cooler and more comfortable for your pet.
- Agility training is a great way to burn off physical energy and engage their brain at the same time.
- Huskies will love exploring a garden but make sure it’s very secure. Not only are they very good at escaping through any holes in fences, Huskies can dig an escape route or even jump over a fence from a standing position.
Game ideas
- Canicross is the sport of cross-country running with dogs and is perfect for a Husky’s sled pulling instincts. The dog is harnessed and attached to a human who ‘drives’ and directs the dog from behind with voice commands as they run. Canicross is a fast-growing sport and very popular as off-season training for the mushing community.
- From tug of war and hide and seek to agility training, a Husky will love anything that engages its mind as well as its energetic nature.
Husky grooming
The thick, well-furred appearance of a Husky coat is one of the breed’s most identifiable characteristics. Although it is relatively easy to look after, a Husky coat requires plenty of attention to keep it in tip-top condition.
- With a dense, double coat that features a soft undercoat covered by an outer coat of straight, smooth-lying guard hair, a Husky will need regular brushing to remove any shed or loose hair. Brushing 2 or 3 times a week is recommended.
- Huskies are not hypoallergenic and tend to shed a lot during the spring and autumn – something known as ‘blowing coat’. Extra care and more brushing will be needed during moulting season to keep their coats in good condition.
- Because of their warm fur, extra care should be taken during the hotter summer months to keep your Husky cool and happy.
- Good dental hygiene is a must for any dog and should include regular brushing with a vet-approved toothpaste. Ears should also be checked regularly for any infection caused by excess wax.
- Huskies are known to be a very clean breed with very little of the canine smell that is often associated with so many other dogs.
Husky nutrition
Although Huskies are very active, medium-sized dogs, they tend to require a relatively small amount of food compared to other dogs of a similar size.
- Depending on how active your pet is, an adult Husky will typically need around 1,000 calories each day, split over two meals.
- Be careful with cereals such as wheat. These are often found in some dog foods and Huskies can find them hard to digest.
- Regular exercise is essential for any Husky as they have a naturally slow metabolism and burning off energy simulates their appetite.
- Their thick fur means that Huskies can get pretty hot. Make sure your dog has a good supply of fresh water, especially during summer months, to avoid overheating and dehydration.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Husky
Thinking about offering a Husky a home? Before you buy or adopt a Husky, here are a few crucial things to take into consideration.
- Intelligent, playful and friendly, Huskies are good-natured and people-loving.
- Their need for lots of active exercise (at least 2 hours each day), mental stimulation and attention means they’re best suited to dog owners with active lifestyles and plenty of time.
- Although very intelligent, a strong independent streak and tendency for mischief means training must start early, be consistent and find the right balance between firm and fair.
- A high prey drive means Huskies are best kept on a lead during walks. They love exploring gardens, but as expert escape artists with an ability to jump fences and dig holes, any outdoor space must be safe and secure.
- Remember to think about the kind of dog you want. It’s important to assess the temperament of the parents (‘Lucy’s Law’ dictates that potential owners must be able to see puppies with their mum) and what breeding lines they are from. For example, a puppy bred from showing stock might be calmer and easier to manage than one descended from working dogs.
- There are many things to consider before getting a dog. Always find out whether a canine friend is the best pet for you before you make the leap from dog lover to dog owner.
Husky frequently asked questions
A Husky’s level of shedding generally depends on the climate they live in. Adapted to deal with Arctic temperatures, many Huskies will shed their thick coats heavily all year round, especially in the spring. There’s nothing you can do to stop your dog shedding, but regular brushing and grooming will help to remove some of the loose fur and keep your Husky’s coat in tip top condition!
Huskies are not considered to be aggressive or dangerous dogs in terms of temperament but these strong working dogs are physically very powerful. Huskies are generally known for their playful, fun-loving temperaments and mischievous side so need lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep them busy!
Whether you’re looking to adopt a Husky or buy a puppy, it’s important to make sure you’re getting your pet from a reputable organisation or breeder. If you’re looking to adopt, you can use Petplan’s rehoming directory to find an organisation. If you want to buy a puppy, make sure you find a reputable breeder.
As they shed more than other breeds, Huskies are not recommended as suitable for allergy sufferers. It’s important to remember that no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, but some breeds are better for those with allergies than others.
Playful and even-tempered, Huskies are generally considered to be good family pets. However, it’s worth noting that these are extremely active dogs and will fit in best with busy families who are out and about a lot. It’s also important to remember that Huskies are large, powerful dogs who may be a bit too boisterous for younger children or inexperienced dog owners. As with any breed, always supervise your Husky when they’re around children to make sure everyone stays safe and happy.
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Husky insurance considerations
Choosing the right insurance for your Husky can help keep them happy and healthy whatever happens. Conditions that we see they are prone to are not always covered as some other providers’ policies limit what they’ll pay for certain conditions, like cruciate ligament injuries. Others won’t cover your pet for dental illness or injury, or for congenital and hereditary conditions. With Petplan’s Covered for Life® dog insurance we have no additional limits for specific conditions or diagnostic tools.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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