Siberian Husky Dog
The Siberian Husky is undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser in looks, loyalty and love. Their adorable and hypnotic eyes and almost wolf-like appearance make them a popular breed among many dog lovers. However, this stunning breed is not for the first-time dog owner. Being incredibly intelligent, a Husky requires strong leadership and experience to prevent problems.
Siberian Husky At A Glance
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Temperament | A friendly and alert dog with a very outgoing nature. |
| Suitable | Needs an active home to thrive in. Ideal for experienced dog owners. |
| Health | This breed can suffer from various health conditions but is generally a robust dog breed. |
| COMMON CLAIMS | MAXIMUM CLAIM |
|---|---|
| Tissue Damage/Fracture | $3,093.45 |
| Diabetes | $2,517.03 |
| Ear Conditions | $641.30 |
| Gastrointestinal Conditions | $3,103.23 |
| Foreign Body or Toxin Ingestion | $3,430.50 |
| Muscle/Skeletal Condition | $1,995.95 |
| Cruciate Ligament | $8,516.24 |
| Neoplasia | $7,338.62 |
| Neurological Condition | $6,208.61 |
| Skin Conditions | $917.10 |
*Pet Insurance Australia Data 2022/2023
Trainability
Being a very independent breed, the Husky can be challenging to train. However, in the hands of an experienced and loving owner, they can be encouraged to listen during training sessions and at home. Strong leadership is essential as to consistency. As with all dogs, you must train your Husky in basic obedience. Known as the Houdini of the humble backyard, if your Husky does escape and they are not well-trained, you could have a terrifying and dangerous situation on your hands as your lovable Husky bounds towards traffic. With this breed, you must be consistent with your training despite stubbornness. Keep your sessions entertaining, and utilise creativity to keep the interest high. The breed requires training right from the word go…so enrol in a local puppy preschool class before your pup comes home and group obedience once your pup is fully vaccinated. Sadly, many owners are attracted to this loveable breed because of their looks and loyalty and then pass on the training. Without the correct training, your Husky may grow into a very boisterous and destructive dog. Training is paramount with this breed. If you do not have the time for adequate and consistent training, perhaps consider another option.
Grooming Requirements
Huskies do not require a fair amount of grooming all year round, and the breed will shed, so be prepared with a good quality lint brush as it’s expected a fair bit of white hair will be attracted to your black clothes. Siberian Huskies will also do two decent sheds during seasonal changes. This means they drop a lot of hair very quickly. During these times, investing in a specially designed coat removal comb is an excellent idea to help eradicate the dead and lose hair easily. A grooming session once per week is a must with this breed and daily during seasonal changes. Huskies are not a typically ‘smelly’ dog breed; however, they will benefit from a monthly wash to keep the coat and skin in top condition.
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Common Health Concerns – Siberian Husky
A robust and hardy dog known for their endurance and abilities as sled dogs in bitterly cold climates. However, like all dog breeds, they have their own health concerns.
- Hip Dysplasia: A typically hereditary condition due to the misalignment of the hip joint and thighbone. This can cause pain and lameness in your Siberian Husky. Commonly treated with surgery. Other treatments include weight management and physiotherapy. The condition can also cause the development of arthritis.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): is an inherited eye condition affecting dogs. PRA is the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early symptoms include night blindness, and total vision loss can occur as the disease progresses. This condition has no cure, so ensuring good breeding practices is vital.
- Cataracts: A cataract causes a clouding of the eye lens, leading to blindness and vision loss. Regular veterinary check-ups are vital for eye health. Treatment includes specialised surgery.
- Corneal Dystrophy: A condition that affects the cornea or outer layer of the eyeball and is caused by a build-up of foreign material in the eye, causing it to lose transparency. Treatment can involve medication and eye drops. In some cases, surgery is required.
- Zinc Deficiency: Many northern breeds, such as the Siberian Husky, are also at risk of zinc deficiency. Also known as Zinc-responsive dermatosis, it can cause hair loss and crusty skin. Commonly affecting the face area. Diet changes and supplementation may be prescribed.
- Hypothyroidism: A thyroid gland disorder that leads to weight gain, lethargy, and coat/skin problems. Treatment involves medication and synthetic hormones.
- Uveodermatologic Syndrome: An autoimmune condition that affects the skin and eyes of the Siberian Husky. Dogs with this condition tend to develop sores on the nose and eyelids and typically become blind. It's a rare but severe condition. Treatment involves medication to help manage symptoms.
- Follicular Dysplasia: It's a condition affecting huskies and the Alaskan Malamute. It can lead to hair loss and the hairs on the dog's trunk turning reddish. Treatment includes medicated shampoos and systemic antibiotics.
- Heatstroke: This cold weather breed can suffer in hot and humid conditions. This can lead to breathing-related problems and overheating. Keeping your Husky cool in the blistering heat is essential to prevent many issues from quickly occurring. Many owners also tend to clip their Huskies during the warmer weather.
- Digestive Issues: Some Siberian Huskies are known to suffer from sensitive stomachs that can cause episodes of diarrhea or vomiting. A quality diet is paramount for this breed to help manage possible digestive issues. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is also a concern for this breed. Treatment may include medication alongside a quality diet.
Exercise Requirements
The breed is highly energetic and will benefit from an excellent daily intensive run. However, some experts will argue not to take Husky off leash due to their huge prey instinct and independence. But all dogs are different. If you are confident in your recall (AKA ‘come’) and your dog’s listening skills during distractions are up to par, a good off-leash romp in a safe area can be done with success. Twice daily leash walks are ideal, so training your Husky to walk nicely on a leash is vital in the early days. They make lovely on-leash running buddies. If you are having problems, seeking professional one-on-one advice is recommended. A bored, untrained Husky will become destructive, so you must exercise your pup and grown dog correctly to avoid issues.
Intelligence
This breed is brilliant and almost cat-like in their personalities. This can make training a challenge, so they are not recommended for inexperienced first-time dog owners. This intelligence can see them getting bored quickly and finding their own highly energetic and destructive entertainment – cue the pillow fluff. Huskies are also known for their love of roaming. So, secure fencing is important when considering this breed. Also put in place boredom-busting ideas to prevent destructive behaviour when you are not at home. Having a particular kennel area for your dog will also help with escaping and destructive tendencies; however, keep this area fun and do not keep your precious pup in this area for endless hours. Consider rotating toys daily and fun activities like tug-o-war or a treatball. Also, ensure this area is protected from the weather and has adequate shade, shelter and water. But remember, without the correct levels of exercise and entertainment, your pup will always be destructive, regardless of the breed.
Family Friendly
The Siberian Husky is well known for their lovable nature. They will blend with any family willing to love and cuddle. They are great with kids and other pets, however, like with all breeds, please teach your children how to behave around a dog correctly. They are loyal and loving toward their ‘pack’ and will not take to being left alone for endless hours in their backyard. This can lead to destructive behaviours and roaming. Huskies are the clowns of the dog world. They don’t tend to bark but rather howl, with many being noted for almost speaking. It is common to hear a loveable Husky saying ‘no’ to their owners or even ‘I love you’. Early socialisation and training are vital to ensuring a happy, healthy and well-rounded grown dog.
Indoor/outdoor?
Huskies do not mind the cooler weather. However, care must be taken in warmer, dryer months. Many Husky owners completely shave their dogs to help with overheating during summer. Please ensure your dog is kept out of the day’s blistering heat with adequate shade and water. With this breed, good fencing is of the utmost importance. Check the fence line weekly for any digging spots or holes, and always ensure your microchip details are up-to-date. Huskies will thrive in small homes, large homes and even apartments if trained and exercised correctly.
Responsible Breeding
It is imperative to only source your Siberian Husky from a reputable breeder who regularly tests for genetic and hereditary issues. Remember to ask all the critical questions about the possible conditions listed above and ask to see Mum and Dad. Contact your local breed club and ask questions regarding your potential breeder. Your breeder should have documentation to prove that they regularly test their dogs for genetic diseases and ensure that their breeding dogs have sound temperaments. Inviting your puppy into your home may take a little more time, but it can save you the pain and heartache a very sick puppy and grown dog can bring.
Contact PIA for Siberian Husky Pet Insurance
PIA is a family owned pet insurance company for Australia, and we have a long and successful history of helping owners care for their Siberian Huskies. Contact us today to learn more about our range of simple, flexible and affordable cover options.
