Dog Breed
Siberian Husky
MischievousSpeedsterBraniacAdventure Driven
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- Full Name
- Siberian Husky
- Your PupScore
- Take the best dog breed quiz to get your Pup Scores!
- Life Span
- 12 years
- Weight
- 35 - 70 pounds
- Description
The Husky is undeniably beautiful, unique, ancient, and even majestic. Many argue that it is closely related to the wolf, and are therefore very 'primitive' in that way- with a high prey drive, and intense wanderlust (desire to run away), and adventure instinct. And on the other hand, they are so far from wolves- they are friendly with children and other dogs and are goofy, and expressive when they want something. Huskies need daily exercise or they can become vocal with their barks and howls, and even destructive. They are obviously an excellent choice for cold-weather environments- they absolutely love running in the snow.
- Origin
- United States of America
- Bred For
- Sled pulling
- Family Considerations
- Overall Ease of Breed
- Personality
- Home and Environment Considerations
- Physical Characteristics
Child Friendly
5/5
Is the Siberian Husky good with children?
Yes! The Siberian Husky is naturally friendly with children. As always, socialization is always important, but the Siberian Husky is an excellent dog for anyone with small children.
Stranger Friendly
4/5
Is the Siberian Husky friendly with strangers?
Yes, the Siberian Husky is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Siberian Husky is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
Dog Friendly
3/5
Is the Siberian Husky friendly with other dogs?
The Siberian Husky is about average in how friendly they are with other dogs. They can be timid or defensive, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for dog parks and living with other dogs at home.
Likes to Cuddle
3/5
Does the Siberian Husky like to cuddle?
The Siberian Husky likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
Playfulness
5/5
Does the Siberian Husky like to play?
The Siberian Husky is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
Service Dog Ability
2/5
Does the Siberian Husky make a good service dog?
The Siberian Husky would not be a great fit as a service dog for several reasons.
Ease for Novice
2/5
Is the Siberian Husky good for first-time owners?
The Siberian Husky would not be the best fit for first-time owners. A breed is only good for first-time owners if it is raised for home companionship, and is open to training and is motivated to please its owner.
Training Potential
2/5
How well can the Siberian Husky be trained?
The Siberian Husky does not have high levels of training potential. There are exceptions, but the Siberian Husky is not typically seen in competitions or as a service dog or police dog.
Amount of Shedding
5/5
Does the Siberian Husky shed a lot?
The Siberian Husky sheds without mercy. The Siberian Husky is one of the heaviest shedding dog breeds, so be prepared to vacuum frequently.
Ease of Grooming
3/5
Is the Siberian Husky easy to groom?
The Siberian Husky requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Siberian Husky to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Siberian Husky on your own as well.
Exercise Need
5/5
Does the Siberian Husky need a lot of exercise?
The Siberian Husky needs a daily exercise partner! The Siberian Husky is best suited for a family where it will get plenty of daily exercise; it has so much energy that exercise is mandatory to avoid destructive behaviors.
Intelligence
5/5
How smart is the Siberian Husky?
The Siberian Husky is one of the smartest dog breeds. Having a very smart dog is fun, but it is also demanding- they require mental challenge and stimulation just as much as physical exercise.
Amount of Barking
3/5
How much does the Siberian Husky bark? Does the Siberian Husky bark too much?
The Siberian Husky barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Siberian Huskys - some may be much more expressive than others.
Guard Dog Ability
3/5
Is the Siberian Husky a good guard dog?
The Siberian Husky is not typically used as a guard dog, although they can be alert and oftentimes notify you if there is a stranger at the door or otherwise something to be concerned over.
Tolerates Being Alone
1/5
Is the Siberian Husky good at staying alone? Is the Siberian Husky independent?
The Siberian Husky considers their owner part of the "pack" and hates being left behind. This can be a good thing for someone looking for an emotional support dog who is loyal and always by their side, but bad if the dog will need to be left at home alone for extended periods.
Good for Apartment Living
1/5
Is the Siberian Husky a good apartment dog?
The Siberian Husky is a very bad fit for apartment living and we would not recommend it.
Size
3/5
How big is the Siberian Husky?
The Siberian Husky is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
Tolerates Heat
1/5
How much does the Siberian Husky tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Siberian Husky?
The Siberian Husky does not tolerate hot weather at all, and we would not recommend having a Siberian Husky if you live in a hot weather climate.
Tolerates Cold
5/5
How much does the Siberian Husky tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Siberian Husky?
The Siberian Husky does very well in cold weather, and loves the snow. They were built for it!
Potential to Run Away
5/5
Does the Siberian Husky try to run away?
The Siberian Husky has huge wanderlust, meaning that it's natural for them to want to run away. They are known as escape artists. It's important to test your yard and have a tall fence that cannot be jumped or climbed over. Sometimes the Siberian Husky is not well suited for being off-leash, even if they are well trained.
General Health
4/5
Is the Siberian Husky a healthy dog? The health of a Siberian Husky should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.
The Siberian Husky is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Siberian Husky high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
Energy Level
5/5
How energetic is the Siberian Husky?
It seems like the Siberian Husky never runs out of energy. If you are looking for a 5 AM run partner, the Siberian Husky is your dog! A dog's energy level is one of the most important considerations when getting a new dog, and we would only recommend the Siberian Husky for a family where it will get plenty of exercise.
Amount of Drooling
2/5
How much does the Siberian Husky drool?
The Siberian Husky drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
Prey Drive
5/5
Does the Siberian Husky have a large prey drive? Does the Siberian Husky like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?
The Siberian Husky has a very high prey drive and will naturally chase after any small animals it sees. They can co-exist with cats or other animals at the home, but we would not recommend it without supervision.
Athleticism
5/5
Is the Siberian Husky atheltic?
The Siberian Husky is a true athlete. The Siberian Husky is both fast, strong, and has a ton of endurance that suits it well for runs, hikes, and even marathons!
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Breed Variations
White
Red
Black and White
Agouti
Sable
Whooly
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Dog- Working
- Sled Dog
- Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a purebred dog that belongs to the Sled Dog sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds.
Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Sled Dog sub-group: Sled dogs are an ancient breed that has been featured in many movies and tales. Sled dogs live for adventure. They can withstand harsh winters, and run for many miles without needing to stop for rest. Because of their nature, they are a pack animal who loves being in a group. They are not the best dog for a first time owner because they hate being alone, and they have high expectations- they want their pack leader to be firm, but also playful and always around them.
Sled dogs over the years have developed into family pets, and they are very friendly with both people and other dogs. However, they do have high levels of energy and high prey drive, so it is important to socialize them at an early age so they know their boundaries with small children and small dogs. They are very athletic, so would be a great fit with an active family who likes to hike, run, bike, and of course... sled!
Siberian Huskys for adoption
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