The Siberian husky is regarded as one of the most beautiful and greatest dog breeds by dog lovers.
They have the appearance of a regal wolf with gorgeous glacial blue eyes that will melt the hearts of passers-by.
When most animal enthusiasts see a Siberian husky in person, it’s love at first sight.
Most importantly, they appear to be so happy and fluffy that you want to embrace and pet them. However, just like other Arctic dog breeds, whether large or tiny, having a Siberian husky offers advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Owning a Siberian Husky as a pet
They are Playful and Dynamic
A Siberian husky has a high level of stamina, making them an extremely active canine. They are a type of dog that is both playful and agile. Siberian husky likes to be outside. They like physical activity, making them an excellent partner for hiking, running, camping, and bicycling.
Siberian huskies, dogs, and huskies as pets
People who live in areas where it snows all year often breed Siberian huskies as pets and to pull their sleighs for easier passage through the snow.
Huskies are Clean and Odourless
Unlike other dog breeds that stink or emit a foul odour even after being bathed, a Siberian husky does not stink or emit a foul odour.
Huskies enjoy grooming themselves and are fastidious about maintaining their coats. Some pet owners compare a Siberian husky to a cat when it comes to washing and licking itself.
Huskies are Convenient and Economical
One of the nicest things about having an Arctic breed, such as a husky, as a pet is that they were designed to perform in freezing conditions with little food.
The Siberian husky eats less.
While the Siberian husky requires less food, it is still necessary to consider giving them as much food as they can with the right nutritional value in order for them to remain healthy and active.
Free-spirited and self-reliant
One of the nicest things about having an Arctic breed, such as a husky, as a pet is that they were designed to perform in freezing conditions with little food.
The Siberian husky eats less.
While the Siberian husky requires less food, it is still necessary to consider giving them as much food as they can with the right nutritional value in order for them to remain healthy and active.
Never Boring
Never boring Independent, so low probability of codependence or separation anxiety
Beautiful beautiful, lots of compliments
Long endurance if you plan to take them on long hikes and things
Stay warm very easily in low temps (duh!!)
Smart babies, are easy to train as long as you have treats
A Good-Natured Breed
If properly cared for, the Siberian husky is a sociable and gentle type of dog. They’re also a lot of fun for whoever is in charge of them.
They don’t have any suspicions about other people or get aggressive with other dogs unless the other dog is hostile. People and other dogs get along well with Siberian huskies. People and other dogs get along well with Siberian huskies.
They are usually sociable with other pets such as cats, birds, and even your pet rodents. When your dog is playing with other pets, though, it is best to keep an eye on him.
Astonishingly appealing
The Siberian Husky is a gorgeous working dog from Siberia. However, especially if you’re a first-time dog owner, you need to think about a few things first.
Siberian Huskies are well-known for their beauty, but they’re much more than that.
Huskies are becoming more and more popular as new family members across the country, according to the American Kennel Club's (AKC) list of most popular dog breeds.
They’re large, attractive, and may make excellent friends and partners, but they’re not for everyone. Having a Husk as a pet
Don’t forget about their stunning eyes. While most Siberian huskies have clear blue eyes, some have bi-colour eyes, which are more appealing than the typical clear blue-eyed husky.
Very Playful.
From the three I’ve owned, I’ve come to understand that they are the jumpiest, challenging animal I’ve ever encountered; and I meet different dogs on a daily basis thanks to my girlfriend’s profession.
Personality.
Our first Husky, Molly, was the weirdest… most goofy dog I’ve ever encountered. He does things that just don’t make sense, and always seems to find a way to make something relatively simple extremely difficult.
Pros & Cons of owning a Siberian Husky -In a nutshell
Pros of Owning a Husky
- Siberian Huskies (and Malamutes) are very beautiful dogs, with lush fur that is well-suited to cold climates.
- Huskies are highly trainable, and skilled at having jobs.
- Huskies are Playful.
From the three I’ve owned, I’ve come to understand that they are the jumpiest, most challenging animal I’ve ever encountered; and I meet different dogs on a daily basis thanks to my girlfriend’s profession. - They have incredible athleticism, are very powerful pullers, have very powerful personalities, and have a strong will. Dependent in certain aspects, but not so much in others. When compared to other breeds, they require a significant amount of effort. They are, with a few notable exceptions, generally intelligent.
Cons Of Owning a Husky
- Huskies do best with a firm hand (not mean but consistent and unfaltering), and are best suited to experienced dog handlers.
- Huskies are smart and quite active and are best suited to having an active job like sled pulling.
- Huskies and husky crosses get bored easily. For example, a husky left alone in a yard might dig holes and spend an inordinate amount of time probing the fence for a way out.
- They shed.
A lot. They shed, a lot. - Vocal.
They are extremely vocal, and huskies are known to ‘talk’ to you, or another Husky—very cute at first, but gets annoying when they go on for more than a few minutes. Trust me on this. - Too playful.
Yes, too playful. They have no concept of when something is off limits at first and are prone to being very excited, very easily. Rogue tackled people upon first meeting them. - Not a guard dog.
This one should be obvious, with enough training, just about any dog can be a guard dog: in my experience, Huskies will fight you every step of the way on this. They’ll be territorial to other dogs, but another person? Well, Rogue will greet just about anyone that walks through the door the same way—even if they have lethal intent. - High Energy.
If you get a husky, you better make sure you can keep them occupied. They get bored, fast. They destroy toys that aren’t meant to be destroyed. And for the first couple of years, all they want to do is play, play, play, play. - Destructive.
Leave them alone in your house and they will entertain themselves, probably by ripping up and destroying things. Even with a muzzle on, they do this. Our anomaly was the third husky, Nora… who did not demonstrate this behaviour; she just lays down when we leave, not overly dependent. It only took us three tries to figure out how to teach this behaviour by not babying them. - Genetics, in-breeding and puppy mills.
Yes, it should be obvious. Huskies are a breed that is prone to having defects because of puppy mills that breed them in poor condition, pay little mind to the bitch and sire; and results in a lot of puppies appearing healthy, and years down the line have a serious condition.
Our neighbour’s second, Husky has this. She was a rescue from a puppy mill, had heterochromia and was a beautiful, loving animal—but she also has luxating patella, grade III, on both knees before she turned five months old. - Never buy from stores, I don’t care how pretty or cute the puppies look; if you absolutely have no other option, you better explore the breeder of the puppy prior to purchase.
The best method, however, is to buy directly through the breeder so you can see the condition of their compound and the health of the dogs.
Cons of Owning a Siberian Husky
Master Escape Artists
The Siberian huskies are experts at fleeing. Huskies that have never been trained will attack even the tiniest hole they can find.
The Siberian huskies are escape artists.
This usually occurs when you leave your husky outside to play and they want to go somewhere other than your house to play and explore.
Even if you confine them in dog cages, a Siberian husky will find a way out.
Escape artists especially as puppies.
Stubborn even if they understand your request or demand, they’re fine with ignoring you. They’re basically the cats of the dog world.
This brings me to my next point, the independence thing can be a downfall if you want a Lab type that’ll follow you everywhere and never leave your side.
Huskies are very sweet but only when they feel like it lol. My girl won’t lay on the bed above my knees longer than a few minutes.. Which I hear is a respectful thing but sometimes I’m like c’mon!
So yep overall it’s like anything else they can be great just make sure to do your research and be sure you can care for whatever you get the way it needs:)
Strong Predatory Orientation
Remember how I mentioned keeping an eye on your husky when he’s playing with other animals? This is due to the Siberian husky’s strong predation instinct.
Other pets in the residence have reportedly been murdered by some huskies. This is due to their hunting instincts and predatory drive.
Undomesticated Siberian huskies hunt small animals to survive in the wild.
Endurance- lots of stamina but needs to be active most of the time
While the Siberian husky has a lot of stamina, which allows them to play and be active all of the time, this might be a disadvantage to certain individuals, especially if they don’t want to go outside and exercise frequently.
A husky does not require much space within the house, but they do require daily walks and exercise, which may be a disappointment to some.
While it is a good-natured and fun dog to have around, a husky is a very stubborn and free-spirited breed. It requires extensive exercise and obedience training to maintain good behaviour. …
Most importantly, it can turn aggressive if the owner is not strong and wise enough to know how to handle this breed.
Oh boy, yes, Siberian Huskies love to cuddle, nuzzle, snuggle, kiss and hug. Most of them. Just like people, not all Huskies are the same.
So some will smother you with affection and demand attention all the time, while others may be more aloof and reserved. Go to my Profile and you can find all about Siberian Husky material there…
They make a lot of noise
Siberian huskies don’t bark as much as other dogs, preferring to howl instead.
Their howls can be entertaining to listen to, but if you live in an area with a lot of neighbours, it can be a significant disadvantage.
Because of your dog’s howling, you can get some noise complaints from your neighbours.
Despite all of these advantages and disadvantages, we think Siberian huskies are really lovely. Also, let us know what you think about these adorable critters!
Shedding in Large Amounts
Every year, Siberian huskies shed a large amount of fur. They shed twice a year, generally in the spring and fall. If cleaning shed furs isn’t your thing, a Siberian husky isn’t the dog for you.
Owning a Husky is not easy because they are excellent escapists and can be extremely destructive if left alone for an extended period of time.
Despite these flaws, many people still opt to buy them because they are attractive.
They have thick coat that comes in a range of colours and resembles wolves. Their penetrating eye colour is another reason why many pet owners desire them.
If you’re dedicated and ready to take on a Siberian husky, here is the place to be. You will not be disappointed, and you will create many great moments with your family. Given what they know from above, I feel a Siberian husky will make an excellent addition to any family.
FAQs
What is a reason not to own a Siberian Husky?
Great answers so far. Another reason is that you are control-oriented and like the idea of a perfectly trained and obedient dog.
If so, get a Doberman, German Shepherd or another obedience-oriented dog. Siberian Husky is not for you. Siberian Huskies are independent, have selective “deafness” and as my best friend puts it, are very self-directed.
If you are the type of person who has to have all the cans with labels turned to the front, wants children like the Von Trapps, have a strong desire for control of every situation, do NOT get a Siberian Husky.
Are Huskies a good breed for someone who has never owned a dog before? Do they have a pungent smell to them? Will the climate in Southern Florida be suitable for them to call their home?
No! To all of your inquiries. Huskies are intelligent canines with a strong will who require an owner with the previous dog ownership experience.
They do not have an odour that is any stronger than that of other dogs.
And South Florida would make life incredibly difficult for them.
Their fur is dense and double-layered, making it well-suited for harsh environments; in fact, they relish the opportunity to roll around and lie down in the snow.
Beautiful as they are, we ask that you search for a breed that is simpler to care for and better suited to your lifestyle and environment.
What it is like having a Husky as a dog at your home
You pay for one dog, but you receive two for the same money… however, despite the fact that one dog is completely covered in fur, the other dog still has to be groomed. You may also get a third dog the next year during the spring by, once again, letting the first dog brush it off. The fur, did I not mention it? A great deal of it.
Our Neighbour owns one. He is big, kind, smart, stubborn, full of energy, and furry, to put it simply. She claims that no matter how much she tries, she can never get a picture of him that doesn’t make him look like the creature from the mud lagoon. He is obsessed with mud. He abhors the sweltering heat. (so much animal fur)
It seems like he never stops talking. This dog feels an overwhelming want to communicate with you. When I come to visit, he will stand in the middle of us and complain and talk while we are trying to have a conversation with each other. No, it does not appear that he is envious in any way; rather, he simply enjoys participating in the discourse. He also has a really impressive wail.
Due to the fact that he has a very high amount of energy and enjoys being kept busy, regular walks are an absolute must.
He is an average watchdog in terms of his badness. Honestly? I believe that if it were people who broke in, they would be in greater danger of being licked to death than they would be of being killed by anything else. I am unable to comment on whether or not that is typical. But he is sweet.
Article Reviewed by Dr James Berman, Sydney Vet Clinic. Learn More about Dr James.
For more about Husky see our other articles below
References
The Physiological Response of Siberian Husky Dogs to Exercise: Effect of Interval TrainingA. E. Ready, G. MorganCan Vet J. 1984 Feb; 25(2): 86–91. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Siberian husky”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Jan. 2021, https://www.britannica.com/animal/Siberian-husky. Accessed 4 June 2021. Husky dog health in extreme weather conditions