Siberian Husky
Overview
A stunning, independent sled dog built for endurance — beautiful, but a real handful for the unprepared.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Siberian Husky is fine with sensible, older children and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a quiet, and as a guide they are best for experienced owners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Siberian Husky typically needs 2 hours or more, plus a job to do of exercise a day (roughly 120–180 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need their brains tired — sniffy walks, short training games and puzzle or scatter feeding go a long way towards a calm, settled dog. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is regular brushing and shedding is heavy. Brush regularly (a few times a week) to keep the coat healthy and remove loose hair. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Siberian Husky should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a medium breed will eat a moderate amount compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Friendly, sociable and full of stamina
- +Strikingly handsome and good with other dogs
Things to consider
- –Very high exercise needs, strong prey drive and a talent for escaping
- –Independent and hard to train; sheds enormously ("blows" its coat)
Is a Siberian Husky right for you?
On space, a Siberian Husky is needs plenty of space — they really need plenty of room and a lot of daily activity. For experience level, they are best for experienced owners. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a Siberian Husky
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Siberian Huskys good with children?
Fine with sensible, older children. As a general guide, Siberian Huskys tend to be fine with sensible, older children. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Siberian Husky need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Siberian Husky needs 2 hours or more, plus a job to do of exercise a day (120–180 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need mental stimulation — sniffing, training games and puzzle feeders — to stay settled. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Siberian Huskys shed a lot?
Heavy shedding. Coat upkeep is regular brushing — brush regularly to keep the coat in good condition.
Are Siberian Huskys easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Best for experienced owners. Siberian Huskys are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Siberian Huskys bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Siberian Huskys good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Siberian Huskys suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A Siberian Husky really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.