Siberian Huskies are admired for being beautiful dogs, but they’re much more than a pretty face. They’re big, beautiful, and can make great companions and partners, but they’re also not for everyone. Owning a Husky is a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Five facts to know before adopting your Siberian Husky:
1. Husky Energy
Huskies aren’t the kind of pet that will be happy snoozing all day on the couch. They have energy to burn, and if they’re not given the right outlet, they’ll find their own way to get the vigorous exercise and stimulation they need.
If you want to own a high-energy dog, you’ll need to commit to daily walks, runs, and social outings. Leaving them to entertain themselves in the yard won’t help. If you think about it, a Husky may make you a more active person.
2. Husky Escape Artists
With a lot energy to burn Huskies are skilled escape artists. They have a natural instinct to explore, and an average fence won’t be enough to stop them.
A Siberian Husky can easily jump over a six-foot fence, and if they can’t go over, they’ll look for other ways of escape like digging under the fence. Your fenced yard will likely need to be reinforced if you plan on keeping a Husky. Huskies will always refuse to stay behind even a high fence.
3. Husky Shedding
All dog owners have to deal with shedding, but Huskies take it to another level. They are dogs for cold climates, and they have both an undercoat and topcoat. Huskies usually “blow” their coats in the spring and fall. This means the undercoat sheds excessively as the new topcoat grows in. It lasts for about three weeks, and the result is enough dog hair on the floor, furniture, your clothes, and mixed in with your food to make it look like you own an entire sled team.
If you don’t want to drown in a fluffy mountain of your dog’s fur, you’ll need to commit to daily grooming and vacuuming.
4.Husky Temperment
There’s no doubting that Huskies can be loyal and loving to their owners, but their independent nature holds them back from being the lovable lap-dogs many people want. They’re notorious for being stubborn, and they’d much rather do things their way than obediently abide by house rules.
This can make training difficult, but not training a Husky is out of the question. Husky owners need to be patient, determined, and consistent.
5. Best Climate for Huskies
Huskies are born for cold climates. They’re originally from the Arctic, and their fluffy coats, paws, ears, and even eyes are all examples of physical adaptions that make them perfectly suited to cold temperatures. You don’t need to live in the North Pole to own a Husky, but climate should still be a concern.
Huskies overheat easily, and they don’t do well in hot, tropical areas. If you live somewhere where it’s warm all year-round, be prepared to keep the AC running and provide your dog with suitable shade and water when outside.
The most important thing to remember when thinking about bringing a Husky into your home is that owning a dog is a lifetime commitment. There are no loopholes that relieve you of responsibility if your dog becomes too much to handle. From the moment you bring them home, they depend on you to provide a stable, loving home.
Huskies are beautiful working dogs with loving personalities, and for the right families, they make exceptional pets. Do your homework to ensure a Husky is right for your family and lifestyle.
After you have done research and have decided that Yes, a Husky is the right dog for me”, there are still some things you need to take care. You need to start with places where you can adopt your Husky.
There are different places when you can go to adopt your new family member. Start with animal control centers, shelters, rescues, specific breeders ect. You should take your time and visit the facility, spend time with dogs and be patient. Ask for information and learn as much as you can.
Your at the shelter, so here's what to ask and look for:
Beauty
Looks are certainly a factor for many people when it comes to picking a dog. Many people like the classic black and white Siberian’s with blue eyes, others prefer the red fur, and others won’t look at a dog that isn’t pure white. Once you’ve narrowed down your options there are some additional questions to be asked.
Interaction
How much time per day or week is spent interacting with this particular husky? (This should not include the time used for potty runs.) The interaction time will be a telling point as to how well the facility knows the dogs personality and behavior.
Is this Husky currently interacting with other dogs and how? Does it have a dominant personality or passive? Is it social or more aloof?
Cats
Most of the time Huskies doesn’t like cats. Ask if the Husky you are adopting has been cat tested and, if yes, how?
Aggression
Has this Husky shown traits of aggressive behavior? Have there been any incidents or signs of food aggression or possession aggression? Have the organization clearly state if they have or have not tested/witnessed these types of behavior. If they have not tested for it, will they? This is key information because it will prepare you for what to expect once you bring your dog home. Food aggression in dogs is NOT uncommon but you need to be aware of your behavior in those first weeks to prevent any unfortunate incidents.
Behavior
If you are told the husky (or any dog) has been receiving basic care you should ask what exactly that entails. If the dog you are considering has been in foster care ask to speak with the person providing that care so you can get a deeper insight into the personality, behavior, care and routine of the dog. Many times basic care entails exactly what it sounds like – potty breaks, short walks, and feedings without much exercise or interaction. If this is the case you may want to spend a few days at home with your dog when they initially join your family to help him “unwind” and “acclimate” to the new surroundings. Dogs, like people, weather change differently but the easier you can make the transition the less likely you will encounter a dog that lashes out either behaviorally or aggressively.
