Are Huskies Good Family Dogs?
Are Huskies Good Family Dogs?
With their beautiful blue eyes, Siberian huskies are one of the most gorgeous-looking dog breeds around the globe. However, the question is, are huskies good family dogs?
Well, if that has been your worry all along, worry no more!
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I understand you need to make the right choices as a parent because every choice will affect your family. Since dogs live for a long time, it is good for you to research and get a breed that everyone will get along with.
Are Siberian Huskies good family dogs?
Siberian Huskies are good family dogs. They are very tolerant of kids but just like other furry friends, they should be supervised when around visitors. They are free to sleep with their owners and if given enough exercise to expend their energy, Huskies can make great indoor dogs too.
Reasons to get a husky?
Now that you know that these adorable breeds make great family dogs, let’s dive in into why you should actually get one.
1. Siberian Husky size
Looking at the Husky size, they make great pets to live in any living space. This is because female Huskies grow up to a height of 50-56 cm while male Huskies have a maximum height of 54-60 cm.
If you are wondering how big or how heavy they can get, full-grown females could weigh between 16-23 kg (35-50 lbs) while male Siberian Huskies can get to a weight of 20-27 kg (45-60 lbs) meaning that they’re medium-sized dog breeds who are quick and light on their feet.
2. Siberian Husky lifespan
When it comes to parenting a pet, pet owners would always want to own one who will be with them for the long run. Of course, humans don’t have power over the death of any animal but if all is done right (from the nutrition point of view all the way to training and exercise), you should be able to have a pet that will be around for a long time.
So, what is the ideal Siberian Husky life expectancy?
Well, these adorable dog breeds (Siberian Huskies) can live up to 12-15 years. A few Huskies live even longer and as seen in other dog breeds, a female Husky can live longer than a male Husky. Remember, this doesn’t mean that Husky females are better than male Siberian Huskies.
3. Siberian Husky grooming needs
If I was to own a Husky, its grooming needs are another thing I would personally look at and I believe you will also be worried about.
The good news is, Siberian Huskies have fewer grooming needs than any other double-coated dog breeds you’ll encounter.
Their coat requires regular, thorough brushing at least once a week to remove any dead hair. If you’re thinking about hair trimming, that’s not needed and if by any chance you feel like you should shave, strip, or clip them, don’t do it.
Not often will you find a matted Husky but if their hair develops any mats, use a wide-toothed or coarse comb with stainless pins to break the mats then smooth and loosen the hair with a paddle brush.
One more thing, Siberian Huskies don’t produce excess oil and so they don’t need to be bathed every now and then. Just aim for once a month or less.
4. Siberian Husky health issues
Same as lifespan, nobody wants a dog who every time needs to be taken to a vet because of illness or chronic genetic issues. A good family dog is one who needs only basic vet checkups and not one who will frustrate you with huge medical bills.
Apart from unprecedented injuries or food allergies that your beautiful Husky may encounter, overall, Huskies are healthy dogs.
This doesn’t however mean that they are health giants.
Common health problems in Siberian Huskies
- Hip dysplasia: This is a condition that is common in most dog breeds and not just Siberian Huskies. It is a condition where the hip joint doesn’t fit together perfectly. In most cases, it can lead to Arthritis.
- Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a neurological/nervous system disorder in which brain activity tends to be abnormal. If not treated early, it might lead to seizures or unusual behavior, loss of awareness, and sensations. It can be caused by a brain tumor, a stroke, or a severe head injury.
- Cataracts: This is one of the most common health problems for Siberian Huskies affecting about 10% of the breed. It is an eye condition that mostly develops within 6-12 months of their life leading to blindness.
- Glaucoma: It is a group of eye problems that damage or affect the optic nerve. These conditions are a threat to good vision. The increased pressure in the eye caused by this condition can lead to extreme pain and potential eye loss.
5. Husky exercise needs
Working out helps us lose weight, burn excess fats, and lower the risks of contracting some diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and most importantly, high blood pressure. Same to Huskies, exercise will help them age well.
You might think that they need a lot of vigorous exercises but they don’t. Actually, they only need a minimum of two hours of exercise every day because they’re not hyperactive dog breeds.
Two hours a day does not mean that you should have one exercise session of two hours. I recommend spreading this across the day.
You might have a 30-minute run in the morning, a 30-minute walk in the afternoon, and a 1-hour routine exercise in the evening.
What happens if you don’t exercise your Husky?
The dog will get bored, get obese, and become destructive – a behavior that you will not like!
6. Siberian Husky training
While they may be difficult to train, these furry friends are very trainable. I believe that you can have a well-behaved Husky who follows your commands and who understands what’s needed of him if you use the right training approach.
Of course, not everything comes easily, and nothing will fall on a silver platter, if you (the Husky owner) will not adjust your training techniques to account for a Siberian Husky’s independence, you’ll have a tough time coping with them.
I suggest starting with easy things that they can grasp and then advancing to more complex staff. In training, be sure to reward your pup with treats for every command it responds to correctly.
7. Living space Huskies
If Huskies are good family dogs, how much living space do they really need? Do they need a lot of space?
Being medium-sized dog breeds, Siberian Huskies don’t need much space. They’re active breeds but, as long as you give them enough exercise, at least 2 hours a day.
People Also Ask
How much does a Siberian Husky cost?
Siberian Huskies are very popular and so it is fairly likely that there is a breeder in your country or state. For that, a Siberian Husky is expected to cost between $600-$1,300. According to NextDayPets, the median price for Huskies is $725 but Siberian Huskies with a superior pedigree might cost even more.
Note: If you are looking for a top-quality Siberian Husky dog with exceptional breed lines, their price is between $1,400 and $6,000.
Do huskies get along with other dogs?
Being great dogs for a household with children, Huskies do get along with other dogs and pets. However, it is still very crucial that you take your puppy to socialization classes to get them used to other dogs and strangers as early as possible.
Do Huskies love their owners?
Huskies are brave dogs who will love you as their owner and will do everything they can to understand your emotions in every way. In fact, they’re not overly suspicious of people and dogs they do not know.
Are Huskies expensive to own?
Siberian Huskies are not too expensive to own. If your puppy stays healthy and you feed them average-priced food, snacks, toys, shampoos (though Huskies don’t need regular bathing), and other expenditures, it should be around $120 per month -though costs can vary.
Are Huskies aggressive?
Though aggressive behavior is possible in all dog breeds (and such behaviors must be corrected), Huskies are fiercely loyal, intelligent, affectionate dogs who are not prone to aggression.
Are Huskies good with kids?
Is Husky kid-friendly? Yes! Huskies have friendly and good-natured personalities that make them excellent pets for households with kids. However, any interaction between children and dogs must be supervised because they can be snappish when provoked.
