If there’s a more stunning dog than a Siberian Husky, we haven’t found it yet. Bred to be sled dogs, Siberian Huskies are born adventurers who love nothing more than exploring the great outdoors. This does mean they’re renowned escape artists who will take advantage of any tiny gap to break free from your home or garden. Blame their intelligence and mischievous streak for that. Loyal, friendly, outgoing and smart.
Siberian Huskies absolutely love being part of the pack and get along well with other similar-sized dogs and older children. However, make sure you bring them along on all your adventures, otherwise they might turn their attention to destruction as they don’t like being left alone.
Siberian Husky Facts
Working dogs, Siberian Huskies are medium-sized, growing up to 55cm (female) and 59cm (male). You’ll know them for their bushy fox-like tail and gorgeously thick double coats that demand to be petted.
- Breed Group: Working
- Height: Female: 50-55cm, Male: 53-59cm
- Weight: Female: 15-22kg, Male: 20-27kg
- Life Span: 12-14 years
- Coat: Double-coated, medium length
- Colour: Various, including black and white and brown and white
What Does a Siberian Husky Look Like?
A Siberian Husky looks like they’re ready to hit the snow. Medium-sized, these working dogs have compact bodies that are designed for endurance. They can happily pull sleds for hours with seemingly endless energy. Watch them run and you’ll see their powerful, quick gait.
The other clue that they were originally snow-dwellers? Their gorgeous thick, fluffy double coat that comes in a range of colours, including black, white, grey and brown. Check out their fluffy, fox-like tail too. It either curves upwards when they’re working or hangs loosely when they’re resting.
One of their most distinctive features, as well as that beautiful coat, is their almond-shaped eyes. Either icy blue or brown, some Huskies have one of each! Finally, perched on top of their head are triangular-shaped ears that give them an alert look.
Siberian Husky
Siberian Husky Temperament: Energetic Escape Artist
A pack dog by nature, Siberian Huskies are friendly, intelligent, outgoing dogs who love being an essential part of family life and get on well with other dogs, especially if they’re around the same size. They’re best with older children who can play with them calmly.
Having been bred to run for hundreds of kilometres, these are active, energetic working dogs who thrive on having a job to do. Unfortunately for small animals, this can involve chasing them! They can’t resist a good chase, so make sure you don’t have a cat and you’ve got a fully fenced and secure running area for your Husky. With their absolute need to run, always keep them on a leash or in a securely fenced-in area only a well trained Husky should be allowed off-leash.
Being bred as a pack dog means Siberian Huskies are super social and need the company of their people and other dogs. Affectionate, they’re known for being vocal members of the family - expect plenty of chat, like howls, growls and whimpers. A downside of their friendly, social nature? A Husky can’t be left on their own all day. Feeling bored and lonely, they’ll turn to unwanted forms of distraction. This normally looks like destroying anything they can get their paws and jaws on. If you think your garden is a safe spot to leave them, think again - Siberian Huskies are famous escape artists who have a keen sense of adventure and exploration!
Husky puppies can be crate trained, which creates a den-like space that’s just for them. A relaxing spot to snooze, a crate can keep them safe if you pop out for a bit.
For the social pack dogs they are, a Siberian Husky is surprisingly independent and strong-willed. This can make training a little challenging - they need an experienced dog parent who knows there’s no such thing as a ‘day off’.
Keeping Siberian Huskies Healthy: 6 Issues to Watch Out For
Bred for endurance running and to be working dogs, Siberian Huskies are typically hardy, healthy dogs although there are a few health issues they’re prone to.
Eye Problems
Huskies are at risk of developing juvenile cataracts. So much so that Husky clubs around the world have strict guidelines for breeding Huskies to help reduce the number of cases. Cataracts cause clouding of the eye lens, which can lead to blindness, although they can be surgically fixed.
Other eye problems include corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Corneal dystrophy clouds the cornea although it doesn’t always cause vision problems so treatment isn’t needed. A degenerative disease, PRA causes blindness and there’s no cure. Responsible breeders screen for PRA to prevent their puppies developing it.
Joint Issues
Hip dysplasia happens when the hip joint slides out of its usual spot. It can cause your Husky to limp, be unable to jump or to get up slower than usual. It can be treated with weight management, medication or surgery, depending on how bad it is.
Lack of Zinc
If a Siberian Husky doesn't have enough zinc in their diet (or can’t absorb it properly), they can develop a skin infection called zinc-responsive dermatosis. Symptoms include skin lesions, a dry, dull coat and itchiness. It’s easily fixed by a visit to your vet who can prescribe the right amount of zinc to add to your Husky’s diet.
Skin Disease
Other skin issues a Siberian Husky can experience include an autoimmune skin disease called pemphigus foliaceus. It’s common in Huskies and usually starts when they’re around 4 years old. Signs include hair loss on the ears, nose and footpads and crusts on their skin. Have a chat to your vet about how to manage it. Sunscreen can help, as sunlight can make it worse.
Bleeding Disorder
Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD) is caused by a lack of protein needed for blood to clot. You probably won’t know your Husky has this until they experience a lot of bleeding, like if they’ve given birth, been injured or are having surgery. It’s a good idea to have your pup screened for this disorder. You can then tell your vet and they won’t prescribe drugs that interfere with blood clotting.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy can develop when a Siberian Husky is between 3 months and 3 years old. Normally an inherited condition, medications can help manage their seizures.
Caring for Your Siberian Husky Dog
Although you might think their thick, fluffy coat takes a lot of maintenance (it doesn’t, but it will shed a lot in autumn and spring), the biggest time suck will be exercising and training your Siberian Husky. Strongly independent and energetic, you’ll need to devote time every day to wearing them out.
Grooming
One of the best things about a Siberian Husky when it comes to grooming? They’re naturally clean dogs that lack that ‘doggy smell’. In fact, they only need baths a few times a year (unless they’ve been rolling in something disgusting)!
With their double coat, you’ll need to groom them regularly to avoid matting and tangles. Aim to brush their coat 3 to 5 times a week - a comb can help get rid of any knots. Twice a year, Huskies shed their coat (autumn and spring). A rake or deshedding tool will help you get rid of their old fur. Be prepared for a lot of it - it can look like you’ve got a dog’s worth of fur by the time they’re done!
Another plus is that they have slow-growing nails that only need to be trimmed a few times a year. Your last grooming task is daily toothbrushing to help keep decay and dental disease at bay.
Nutrition
To keep their skin and coat in tip-top condition, a Siberian needs top quality dog food that’s tailored to their life stage (puppy, adult or senior). If your Husky is working, you’ll need to monitor and adjust their protein levels depending on their activity and the season.
Siberian Huskies were bred to work hard and cover lots of kilometres on not much food. Don’t expect them to eat a huge amount and keep an eye on how much you’re feeding them - it’s really easy to overfeed a Husky. This is especially true thanks to their daily training needs, which treats play a big part in. Factor in treat calories when considering their daily calorie intake.
Exercise
A busy, active (and ultimately tired) Siberian Husky makes for a happy home. As you’d expect from this athletic, energetic working dog, they need a lot of exercise - around 2 hours a day. Ideally, they’ll get that exercise alongside you - not only does that play to their pack mentality but it’s more bonding time.
They enjoy long daily walks with you, although they will notice if the route is the same every time so mix things up regularly. They’re also great hikers and love to experience the great outdoors. Always keep them on a lead or harness to avoid them taking off after every small creature they spot. Daily training sessions are a must (more on that below). If you really want to wear them out, you could try dog sports like agility or rally-o.
Watch out for them doing zoomies - a sudden high-burst of energy when they might race up and down the corridor or spin in circles. Hilarious and harmless, you might need to put on your trainers and take them on (another) walk to help them get rid of their excess energy.
Training Your Siberian Husky
Start training your Siberian Husky when they’re still a puppy - they’re very independent and strong-willed and need training to help them learn their manners. Focus on the basics that will help keep them safe: sit, stay and come, plus teaching them to walk nicely on a lead with no pulling or straining.
Structured daily training sessions (yep, even on the weekend) will give this working dog a sense of purpose. Have a plan and goal for each session and keep them on a leash to help gently guide what you’re asking them to do. Without a plan, your Siberian Husky might decide you don't know what you’re doing and that listening to you is optional.