Siberian Husky – Everything to Know about Caring for a Happy Dog

Prepare for a beautiful yet challenging adventure with your soon-to-be Siberian Husky dog. These majestic creatures were meant to hunt and run across the tundra, and you should probably not take that lightly.

Siberian Huskies are beautiful balls of fluff, highly intelligent, and have tons of energy. So, you should know how to keep them active, engaged, happy, and healthy. Learning about this ex-sled dog breed is the best thing to do before bringing one home.

Characteristics

OriginSiberia, Northeast Asia
Other namesUgra Huskies, Sibe, Chukchi dogs
Breed groupWorking dogs, sled-pulling, huskies
SizeMedium-sized dogs
Height20-24 inches
Weight35-60 pounds
ColorsBlack, grey, red, sable, and white
Life expectancy12-14 years
CoatDense and thick double-coat
SheddingAt least twice a year
Barking tendencyVocal, rarely barking
TemperamentAlert, friendly, outgoing, gentle
CostUS$600-$1500
Brief Overview of the Siberian Husky Dog Breed
These dogs can be gentle and affectionate and love cuddling with their owner. They’re great with children, especially when properly trained. Still, a Siberian husky might take a while to adjust to its new environment, especially if you plan to keep it in an apartment.
To be honest, huskies aren’t really apartment dogs. They need lots of room to run around and play, although they can sleep up to 20 hours per day.
 
Physical Traits
I love Siberian huskies for their friendly nature and graceful, athletic appearance. Due to their high endurance, they’re always ready for action and fun activities.
In terms of looks, these dogs are cute and fluffy, with a wolfish face. They’re medium-sized dogs with longer bodies but not too tall.

Siberian Husky Average Weight

Siberian huskies will continue to gain weight for the first 15 months of their lives. One-month-old puppies weigh 2 to 6 pounds, while three-month-old dogs weigh between 15 and 30 pounds for females and 20-30 pounds for males.

Height

This husky breed isn’t very tall. Adult females reach up to 20-22 inches, while males grow up to measure a height of approximately 21-24 inches. Siberian huskies reach their final height at one year old but still gain a few extra pounds a couple of months after that age.

Coat and Fur

If you decide to have a Siberian husky as a pet, you’ll have to deal with thick, dense, double-coat fur. An exterior layer of guard coat completes their undercoat.

The American Kennel Club only accepts six options regarding color variations. Still, the breed has over 17 different hues and color combos. The rarest is white; the most common shades are copper red, black and white, and grey and white.

Personality – Siberian Huskies Behavior

These dogs are loyal yet independent. Due to their wolf-like looks, you may think they could be excellent watchdogs, but that’s not entirely true; instead, they will happily greet house visitors. On the other hand, they still have their prey-chasing instinct, so keeping small pets like guinea pigs around the house might not be a good idea.

Potential Health Issues

  • Hip dysplasia;
  • Eye problems like cataracts;
  • Heart conditions;
  • Skin infections;
  • Obesity;
  • Bladder diseases;
  • Parasitic diseases;
  • Liver issues;
  • Zinc deficiency, etc.

Siberian Huskies Average Lifespan

A Siberian Husky can live up to 12-14 years with proper care and few or no health issues. Some might even reach the age of 15. To enjoy their presence as much as possible, give them interesting things to engage in. Also, use positive reinforcement as a training method, and avoid leaving them alone for too long.

How Trainable Is a Siberian Husky?

Huskies can be stubborn, but you can still train them if you act determined yet gentle. Avoid yelling or hitting your pet, as these will get you nowhere. Their concentration level is average, and their chewing tendency is pretty high.

During training, use simple commands and praise your dog for every good thing he does. Consider giving him treats from time to time.

Nutrition – What Should Siberian Huskies Eat?

Your husky’s diet depends on age, health level, nutritional needs, and daily activity. High-quality dog food is a must. At a young age, they should consume premium puppy food; once they become adults, you should opt for an adequately formulated alternative.

Huskies older than seven years should consume senior dog food. These dogs need and love meat-based foods, but you could also give them certain veggies and fruits as treats.

Grooming and Maintenance

Siberian Husky dogs are pretty low maintenance, which is another advantage of this breed. They require nail clipping, regular brushing, and occasional baths. Avoid over-bathing, and feel free to use special conditioners if your dog’s coat looks dry, but talk to your vet first.

To rake out your dog’s old fur optimally, you need a few tools, such as a metal comb and a pin brush. Brushing their teeth and cleaning their ears are also part of the grooming process.  

FAQs

How Often Do Siberian Huskies Shed?

This dog breed typically has thick fur, with shedding occurring twice a year. That’s how huskies remove their undercoats when they no longer need them. Canine experts know these periods as “blowing the coat.” Siberian huskies shed in spring due to warmer weather and fall to create space for a new thicker undercoat that keeps them warm during winter.

How Much Do Siberian Huskies Eat?

It depends on your Siberian husky’s age, physical needs, and health. Adult dogs need 3-4 cups of food per day, whereas puppies require 2-3 cups per day, split into three daily meals. Pay attention to your dog’s food portion and feed him twice daily.

Are Siberian Huskies Good Family Dogs?

From my experience, huskies are friendly and great family dogs. They adjust quickly in the presence of children and other pets. They’re intelligent and strong-willed, so you should give them plenty of exercise and space to run.

Conclusion

Adopting a Husky dog is always a great and generous idea. In a rescue centre, you could find an adorable Husky puppy waiting for a loving family. Otherwise, make sure you find reputable Siberian Husky breeders by doing thorough research beforehand.

Brace yourself for a loyal furry friend who can make a lot of noise, be a drama queen, and shed heavily twice a year. Nevertheless, your Siberian husky will make the ideal jogging partner if you love that activity.