Things To Consider Before Getting A Siberian Husky

Huskies are a gorgeous breed, and some people get one based solely on their appearance and don't realize what they've gotten into until it's too late. Owning a Husky is both rewarding and challenging, and to help determine if a Husky is the right move for you here are some things to consider.

All puppies are full of energy and love to chew, play, and learn, and Huskies are no different. Husky puppies love to run, jump, and basically be rambunctious so plan on spending a lot of time with them. If they become bored or feel neglected it may be your favorite pair of shoes or coffee table that they decide to amuse themselves with. The key with their toys is variety and by this I mean some with squeakers and some without, different textures, sizes, and colors. Their playfulness and rambunctiousness doesn't stop when they get older either. The Husky I grew up with was just as rambunctious and playful up until the last couple years of his life, so they will need a steady supply of toys and attention.

Huskies are a working breed. They were, and still are, bred as sled dogs and absolutely love running and are very powerful. A simple tie-out in the yard will not suffice. Not only will they feel like they can't run they will most likely break it or pull it out of the ground. I would highly recommend a minimum of a 6 foot fence plus a foot in the ground as they also love to dig. The Husky is also a very intelligent breed and if the fence gate has a simple closure like a horseshoe latch they can figure out how it works. Also, just a note about them being outside in a fenced yard, if small animals such as rabbits come into the yard don't be surprised if you find a dead one. Of course that can happen with any breed but Huskies will chew their own toe nails to points and can slice tendons of small animals with them. This happened with our Husky and my mother found a dead bunny under the deck that had its tendons sliced. Though an advantage to them caring for their own nails is you don't have to.

A noticeable feature of the Husky is their thick, gorgeous fur. Of course with all that gorgeous fur comes a lot of shedding especially if you live in warmer climates. It can be a constant battle keeping floors, furniture, and clothes fur-free. Serious thought also needs to be put into the environment that they will be living in. They don't necessarily need a snowy, cold environment, but if they are to live in a warmer climate they need shade and plenty of water if they're outside for any length of time. They really shouldn't be left outside when it's hot for prolonged periods since they can overheat. My mother found that our Husky took to the heat of southern Missouri better with ice in his water dish, and he'd also play with the ice that hit the floor.

Owning a Husky can be a very rewarding experience but as with any getting any dog serious thought needs to be put into it first. Our Husky lived to be 13 years old and then the decision had to be made to have him put to sleep because he developed arthritis in his back hips so bad he could barely walk. The arthritis is a downside to any pure breed dog, but we got to have him in our lives for 13 years and we wouldn't take it back for anything. I am to the point now that I am thinking of getting another one, and hopefully my experience will help you decide whether a Husky is a dog for you.