How to Adopt a Husky in Pennsylvania

Many people are bewitched by the husky’s noble, wolf-like appearance. Either that, or their social media pages have been inundated by cute videos of huskies “talking” or “singing.” This breed’s goofiness is definitely endearing.

As cute and majestic as huskies are, they are not the right choice for everyone. Before adopting a husky, it’s important to learn about the breed so that you’re certain you can provide for all of the dog’s needs. This will also make it less likely that you’ll return a dog to a rescue.

In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about Siberian huskies so that you can make an informed decision about adopting one. We’ll also go over the adoption process itself, as well as how much adopting a husky might cost.

What Are Huskies Like?

Huskies are full of personality. They’re playful, energetic, and they love to hear themselves talk. They can be pretty independent, which can make them a bit harder to train than other breeds, but that doesn’t mean they’re never affectionate. Huskies love joining their owners for activities, especially those that are athletic or outdoorsy.

If you’re into hiking or you want to take on Pennsylvania’s famous Appalachian Trail, a husky has the athleticism required to join you. If you like biking, bring your husky along — just make sure to do so safely by using a bike attachment meant for this purpose (never hold your dog’s leash in your hand or attach it to handlebars; this is a recipe for a serious accident).

What Is a Husky’s Temperament? Siberian huskies are often considered free spirits. They’re vocal, playful, and independent. They can be somewhat stubborn, too. Despite their independence, they tend to be quite friendly and love spending time with their owners, especially if that time includes fun activities. Huskies are also known for being goofy and mischievous. They’re very energetic, and this energy drives their silly antics. Unfortunately, they can become destructive if they do not have appropriate outlets for their energy. They’re also well-known for being escape artists who can even climb short fences.

How Active Are Huskies? Siberian huskies are incredibly active dogs. They are a working breed, so they like having a job to do. They also love to run and will do best living in more rural areas of Pennsylvania (or at least in a suburb with a big yard). Adult huskies should get at least two hours of exercise daily. Huskies also need to exercise their brains. Mental stimulation helps prevent boredom and, in turn, destructive or other unwanted behaviors that result from it. You can provide mental stimulation via training, games, and puzzle toys. Dog sports can also be a great option as they tend to exercise both body and mind. Huskies, in particular, tend to excel at rally, agility, and obedience, though you could also try out sports like flyball or dock diving. Dog Training with Dog Academy

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What Size Are Huskies?

Huskies may appear large due to their fluffy coats, but they are actually considered a medium-sized breed. Most huskies weigh between 35 to 60 pounds and stand between 20 and 23 ½ inches tall at the withers. Female huskies tend to be smaller than males.

What Are a Husky’s Grooming Needs?

Huskies are known for being a clean breed that only needs baths a few times per year. They do have a thick, double coat that sheds a lot, though, so it is good to brush them at least weekly to help the coat remain sleek and to reduce the amount of hair floating around the house.

On top of this, huskies shed their undercoat twice a year, typically in spring and fall. During this time, you should use an undercoat rake to help remove the old coat. Huskies also require daily tooth brushing and regular nail trimming.

What Are Common Husky Health Issues?

Huskies are at risk of developing hip dysplasia, arthritis, eye diseases, and some cancers. Young huskies can suffer from Siberian Husky Shaking Puppy Syndrome Type 1 (SPS1) and Siberian Husky Polyneuropathy Type 1 (SHPN1). These issues usually present before the dog is two years old.

Responsible rescues have all dogs checked by veterinarians before putting them up for adoption. Of course, some health issues may not become apparent until later on in a dog’s life. For example, arthritis usually affects dogs when they are older and reduces their mobility. After adopting a husky, be sure to visit a veterinarian for a checkup.

What Is a Husky’s Lifespan?

Huskies typically live for 12 to 14 years.

Are Huskies Good With Other Animals or Kids?

Huskies are good with other dogs, but they have a high prey drive and may not be safe around other small pets like cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. Similarly, you can expect them to chase animals in the yard. Some huskies can be taught to leave small pets alone if they’ve been socialized since puppyhood, but, in general, you should never leave a husky unattended with another pet.

As for kids, huskies can get along well with them. However, huskies are energetic, playful dogs that can be quite exuberant. They are big enough to knock or pull children over and hurt them by accident. For this reason, huskies may be better suited to families with older children.

Are Huskies Good for First-Time Dog Parents?

We would not recommend huskies to first-time dog owners. This breed is a handful even for those who have had dogs their whole lives. The reality is that huskies require a lot of your time and energy, and most people are too busy to provide the enrichment a husky needs every single day.

Not only does this dog need hours of exercise and mental stimulation, but they can also be difficult to train. Though they aren’t at all untrainable, they are independent, stubborn, and somewhat willful. It takes a skilled, experienced trainer to work with a husky and figure out how to motivate them into wanting to be trained.

How Do You Adopt a Husky in Pennsylvania?

If you want to adopt a husky in Pennsylvania, your best bet will be to check out our very own adoption service, which can help make the adoption process much easier.

Every rescue has its own procedures when it comes to adopting out its dogs, but usually, you’ll start by filling out an application. Applications ask about your living situation (whether you own or rent), how many people live with you, what pets you have, and whether you have a fenced-in yard or not. Some may also ask for references or your veterinarian’s information.

Once your application has been accepted, you’ll likely move on to either a meet and greet or a home visit. Because huskies are known escape artists, some rescues will require that you have a fenced-in yard, which will be checked if there is a home visit to ensure it is tall enough, deep enough, and sturdy enough to keep a husky in.

If everything goes well during the home visit or meet and greet, then you’ll be able to bring home the dog you were interested in. Occasionally, rescues may deem you an unsuitable match for the dog you want, but may offer a different dog to you who they think better suits your home and lifestyle.

Once you’re approved to bring a dog home, you may be required to sign a contract. Usually, this is a simple spay and neuter contract where you agree to get the dog fixed once they are at an appropriate age for such a procedure. Some rescues may also have you sign contracts that state you will return the dog to them if things don’t work out.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Husky in Pennsylvania?

Adoption fees vary from rescue to rescue. However, you can expect to pay an average of $250 to $550 to rescue a husky in Pennsylvania. Some rescues have a set price for all of their dogs, whereas others price dogs based on their age.

Senior dogs are typically very cheap, whereas dogs under six months old are usually more expensive. Some rescue fees will also include the cost of neutering the dog — that is to say, you pay a bit more for the dog, but so long as you go to the affiliated veterinarian, you will not have to pay for the dog to be fixed.

How Should I Train a Husky?

Since huskies can be difficult to train, you’ll definitely want to use positive reinforcement training methods. Positive reinforcement works with rewards, which helps motivate dogs to learn. Another aspect of positive reinforcement training is identifying what the dog wants and using their own motivations to get them to do what you want them to do.

For a dog like a husky, positive reinforcement is much more likely to be successful because of its focus on providing the dog with motivation. Positive reinforcement training can also be made to feel like playing a game; since it’s fun for dogs, they want to learn and perform the actions you ask of them.

Once you’ve adopted a husky, be sure to come back to our website for affordable dog training. We have a sizeable catalogue of online courses that all use positive reinforcement training methods.

Find the Right Husky in Pennsylvania for You

Huskies are beautiful dogs with a lot of personality. They’re goofy, playful, and enjoy “talking.” They’re also very energetic and flourish when they’re able to live an active lifestyle. That said, it is their boundless energy and stubbornness that make them a bad choice for first-time dog owners.

If you think you have what it takes to care for a husky, rescuing is a great option. It provides a home for a dog in need and creates space for more dogs to be rescued. Rescuing is also a lot cheaper than buying from a breeder, and you can still bring home an amazing dog!

It may take some time to find the right husky for you, but remain diligent. Put in an application with rescues in Pennsylvania so they have it on hand. Some rescues may even reach out to you if they have a dog they think would be a good match. Good luck!