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Husky
Breed Stats
Weight/Height:
30-70 pounds / 17-24 inches
Coat Type:
Medium length thick double coat
Grooming Needs:
Shedding:
Temperament:
Affectionate, intelligent, energetic, pack-oriented
Good With Kids:
Good With Other Animals:
Intelligence:
Easy To Train:
Energy Level:
Barking Habits:
Lifespan:
12-14 years
Adopting a Husky: An Overview
Siberian huskies are an admirable breed that descends from the gentle and hardworking Chukotka sled dogs in Russia. In the 1800s, they were a versatile dog for the Chukotka tribe, used as travel companions, for work, and even to entertain young children.
Tribesmen in Chukotka used specific methods to breed huskies, eliminating any dogs that would show signs of aggression. The purpose of the Siberian husky was to protect the families, so this was done to ensure that the dog would not attack but rather act defensively. While such breeding methods are thankfully not used in modern day, huskies retain qualities of gentle protectiveness from their ancestors.
Today, Siberian huskies are a world-famous breed beloved for their multicolored eyes, striking wolf-like appearance, and lively personality. Huskies have a thick double coat that helps them thrive in cold climates, with an insulating undercoat that keeps them warm and a coarse overcoat that protects them from wind and weather elements. Their coat comes in many colors mixed with white, such as grey, black, red, and sable. Some husky dogs can be all black or all white.
These dogs are highly social, extroverted, and love spending time with their family. In fact, they need to feel like they are a part of their human family, and want to be included in the different activities happening in their home. This is also because of the husky’s pack instinct, as their ancestors worked in a team as sled dogs.
In general, huskies have a mild temperament, but they can be quite stubborn and hard-headed. They are intelligent and curious dogs that quickly notice and investigate changes in their surroundings. These pups also have incredibly high energy levels and enjoy taking multiple walks a day. At home, they need mentally stimulating puzzles and games to keep them from getting bored.
Now that you have a general rundown of the husky breed, you may be wondering how to adopt a Siberian husky.
Huskies are in high demand, so it will not be easy to get matched with a Siberian husky. However, if you’re willing to put time and effort into research, you will find the right Siberian husky for you. In urban places, you may have a higher chance of finding a husky in adoption or rescue centers. Since they are very popular, their abandonment rate is also higher.
Many owners can’t keep up with the active lifestyle required when adopting a husky, and as a result, abandon these adorable dogs. When you’re looking to adopt a husky, expect to find teenage or older pups. Young dogs and puppies are harder to find and have much higher demand. Adopting a husky means putting in a lot of love and care to ensure that their needs are met and that they feel safe with their new owner.
The cost of adopting a husky dog can range anywhere from $100 to $500. This depends on the shelter or rescue organization you want to adopt from. Some shelters purposefully have higher adoption fees to filter out prospective owners who may not be ready for the financial commitment. Additionally, some shelters also offer additional services such as vaccinations and health checks, which then get added to the pup’s adoption fee.
To increase your chances of finding a husky pup, look for breed-specific shelters and rescues such as the Siberian Husky Club of America and Alljoy4paws. These organizations are dedicated to rescuing and rehoming precious husky dogs that have been surrendered or are in need of loving homes.
To learn more about huskies and whether or not you should adopt one, read on.
Huskies For Adoption
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How to Care for an Adopted Husky?
Huskies are a clever and intelligent breed that require a bit of an adjustment period when adopting. When you adopt a husky dog from a rescue or shelter, understand that their past experiences will have shaped their behavior and temperament. This means that adopting a husky is slightly different from raising a husky puppy.
Your adopted pup will have their quirks and personality, which will still be mostly in line with their breed temperament, but will also be individual to them. The adopted husky may be used to a certain kind of lifestyle or routine, and you will have to give them space and observe them to work with them. When you first bring your husky dog home, you may notice that they are acting withdrawn or even bored. At this stage, be patient with your pup and allow them to slowly open up to you. Once they’re settled, huskies are the most lively, energetic, and vocal dogs to have around.
Caring for your adopted husky dog starts with understanding their temperament. To make their transition period easier, be calm and supportive with them. Offer them space, but also give them a lot of love. Huskies generally like structure, so you can create a routine for them so that they start becoming familiar with their environment.
Aim to start training your husky dog as early as possible. Even if you have an adult or older dog, training is essential. Huskies are independent thinkers and like doing things their own way. It will take them some time to respond to commands and obey. Use positive reinforcement techniques with praise and rewards. You can train your puppy using specific courses such as obedience training and crate training. If you’re having difficulty training your dog at home, you can also reach out to a professional trainer to make the process smooth. Remember to be consistent and never use punishment to train your adopted husky dog.
Another aspect of caring for a husky dog is socializing them. While they have a friendly temperament, they need to be socialized to interact comfortably with humans and other animals. Slowly introduce your dog to family members, children, and any other animals to build their confidence.
On the side of exercise and grooming, Siberian husky dogs have significant care requirements. Huskies naturally have a lot of energy and endurance, and need to be exercised frequently. You will have to plan daily walks for them or take them with you on outdoor activities such as hiking. They will also greatly enjoy supervised play dates and a game of fetch in the park. If their exercise needs are not met, huskies can become bored and develop anxiety.
When anticipating a husky dog’s grooming needs, understand that they have a dense double coat that sheds year-round. During spring and fall seasons, they blow out their coat, and they shed much more than usual.
Siberian husky dogs will need to be brushed 3 to 4 times per month. During peak shedding seasons, you may have to brush them daily. To maintain their coat, huskies need speed grooming tools such as a deshedding brush and an undercoat rake. Investing in these will make grooming much easier and faster, and create a more comfortable experience for your dog.
Other areas within grooming include ear cleaning, nail clipping, and dental hygiene. In addition to grooming, huskies also have specific nutritional requirements. Despite being large dogs, huskies eat moderately. However, these pups are picky eaters and will need to eat quality foods. Look for food options high in protein to support their active lifestyle.
Also note that adopted Siberian huskies may have a transition period where they get used to new foods after being rehomed. Be patient with your dog and introduce them to new food items slowly.
When it comes to their health, there are a few issues that husky dogs are prone to. When you adopt a husky, the shelter or rescue organization may provide further guidance on the dog’s health or existing health issues. Huskies may inherit or develop eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy or cataracts. They are also predisposed to hypothyroidism and weight gain. Catching these issues early on is key to ensuring that your pup lives a healthy and happy life.
Is It a Good Idea to Adopt a Husky As Your First Dog?
Huskies are beautiful and independent dogs, and naturally, many first-time owners are drawn to adopting them. As a first-time dog owner, the importance of researching and understanding the breed’s personality and care requirements cannot be overstated.
In general, huskies are not a good option for first-time dog owners. They need significant commitment in terms of time and effort to ensure that they adjust well to their new home. Husky dogs need to be exercised a lot. Inexperienced dog owners may not be able to estimate just how much energy these dogs have.
If huskies feel bored or are not physically and mentally stimulated, they can develop destructive behaviors such as biting and chewing. They may also develop anxiety and display disobedience.
Managing a husky’s behavior is also a challenge for inexperienced dog owners. This is a significant factor when the husky is adopted, since the dog develops their personality from their previous experience. Huskies are independent-thinking dogs and need to be handled with patience and firm gentleness.
Overall, huskies are not the best option for inexperienced dog owners because of their intelligence and high maintenance. This does not mean first-time dog owners should be completely deterred from adopting a Sibe, but be prepared for the time, dedication, and learning curve required.
Adopt the Right Husky for You
An important takeaway from this guide is that huskies are not one-size-fits-all dogs. They need specific care that is tailored to their breed requirements and individual personalities. To figure out if a husky is right for you to adopt, make sure to visit and interact with the dog in the shelter.
When you visit the shelter, ask about the dog’s previous history, health, personality, and routine. They may also inform you about any peculiarities specific to your husky, such as food preferences. Finally, the right husky for you is one whose needs and care requirements you can match.
