No two dog breeds are created equal. Even amongst similar types, like herders or retrievers, you’ll find unique quirks and needs for each breed. This means that most homes are not well suited for every kind of dog.
The media often influences which dog breeds are most popular. When 101 Dalmatians came out, Dalmatians saw an upsurge in popularity. When news of Conan the professionally trained Belgian Malinois was in the news for her aid in the killing of the ISIS leader, countless people were calling the Malinois kennel regarding purchasing a dog. Siberian huskies saw a jump in popularity after Game of Thrones, even though none of the dogs in the show were even pure Siberian.
Now we are close to the release of Togo, the story of Leonhard Seppala and his team of huskies during the famous diphtheria serum run in 1925. I personally am very excited for this movie. I’m excited for a positive representation of working sled dogs in the media, and I’m excited for people to see it and want to learn more about the breed that I have fallen in love with. I would love it if this movie turned more people onto the breed, but the most important thing is for those people to get into the breed knowing full well what they are getting themselves into. Huskies are not suited for every home; they are a high energy working breed and can be an extreme handful if not properly stimulated, so I’d like to discuss what this breed requires and what an ideal home would look like.
“The Siberian Husky, a thickly coated, compact sled dog of medium size and great endurance, was developed to work in packs, pulling light loads at moderate speeds over vast frozen expanses. This northern breed is friendly, fastidious, and dignified.” (Quote from the AKC). A husky should be friendly, alert, and outgoing. They are not overly suspicious of strangers and do not possess the traits desired in a guard dog. They are very intelligent, but with an independent spirit which may prove challenging.
There are many things to consider when thinking of bringing a husky home.
Exercise:
If you’re looking for a couch potato cuddle companion, you’ll need to look elsewhere. While I enjoy many nights snuggling up with my huskies, that is achieved by first wearing them out. You may find that some dogs are content with the same 45 minute walk around the neighborhood once or twice a day, that is typically not the case with huskies. Depending on lines and drive, you may need to give your dog a job or sport to exercise and stimulate them such as: mushing, bikejoring, canicross, CAT or Fast CAT, agility, etc. If sports are not easy to come by in your area, then more stimulating exercise is warranted, such as: hiking new areas, using a flirt pole, or if you have more than one finding them open space they can run and chase one another. Even when the weather is bad, huskies still often don’t like to take a break. On those days, you may find yourself having to venture to dog friendly stores to train, socialize, and stimulate, because mental exercise is just as important and can often be just as tiring. A well bred Siberian husky will typically have an off switch, but they will be ready to go more often than not.
Training:
If you are looking for the biddability of a border collie or the happy eagerness to please of a golden retriever, then you will need to look elsewhere. Huskies were bred to work as a team, pull a sled, and keep their mushers alive. Because of this, they have something known as “intelligent disobedience”, meaning they can and will make their own decisions if they don’t see the merit in what you are asking them to do. Despite their stubbornness, they are very intelligent and very trainable dogs, you just have to approach their training with the appropriate expectations and maintain consistency.
Containment:
Siberian huskies are often referred to the Houdini’s of the dog world. Running is so engrained in their nature that they commonly will find weak spots in fencing that they can dig under or jump over in order to keep going. Even a fence that you may not think a dog could jump, you would be surprised to see a husky could clear it with ease. While many people have successfully trained their huskies to be off leash, it is not something I would recommend to most, because even with extensive training it often only takes one bunny coming along your path for your husky to take off after it.
Prey Drive:
Siberian huskies are known to have a very intense prey drive. It is all too common to hear of an escaped husky making its way to a farm and wreaking havoc on their livestock, birds, or rabbits. If introduced young, many can be fine cohabitating with small animals like cats, but they should never be left alone unsupervised. Even with proper introductions and socializing, it isn’t uncommon for a husky to still only see small animals or even toy breed dogs as prey. Remember that prey drive can be managed, but never gotten rid of.
Grooming:
Are you ready for hair to become both a fashion accessory and a condiment in your home? If the answer is no, you may want to look elsewhere. I always say that a husky sheds twice a year: from January to June and from July to December. Siberians have a thick double coat that when properly maintained keeps them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This also means in addition to their daily shedding they have a full coat blow twice a year. This means you will either have to spend multiple days/weeks brushing or send them to a groomer for a high velocity blowout to prevent their undercoat from becoming impacted. Many believe that you do not need to bathe your huskies more than twice a year. While they are correct in the fact that huskies typically are not very dirty or smelly by nature, using high quality product and bathing regularly will keep them clean and their skin and coat in great, soft condition.
Digging:
If you strongly value your landscaping, a husky may not be for you. Digging is a fairly natural trait to them as they would often dig dens to shelter from blizzards. It is instinctual and fun for them. While you can work to train the behavior out, it is still high possibility your yard will suffer many holes before you do.
Howling:
Huskies quite commonly enjoy hearing the sounds of their own voice. They will grumble and talk back to you. They will awake you by howling the song of their people. This song only intensifies when more huskies are added to the home. If you prefer a quiet home, they may not be a good fit.
Pure bred vs. Well bred:
There are many ways in which you can bring a husky into your home, and there are very important differences between them. A well bred husky will be far more stable and predictable in temperament than its backyard bred counterpart. A backyard bred husky tends to suffer from separation anxiety and will have less of an off switch, which often results in household destruction. A well bred husky will also come from health tested parents, meaning they will have their hips radiographed and examined and their eyes examined and cleared. The breed overall is quite healthy, but common health issues include cataracts and glaucoma, which is why eye exams are important, and epilepsy. While there is no test for epilepsy, a reputable breeder will breed away from lines that present with it. Hip dysplasia is rare in the breed, but as they are a moderately sized dog genetically designed to run it is important to test for. If going to a breeder is not for you, then seek out a reputable rescue as there are many who specialize in northern breeds.
If you are still with me this far, I appreciate you taking the time to learn about this wonderful breed. If a husky sounds like the right fit for you and your family, then welcome! You’ll never turn back.