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When looking to bring a dog into your home, there are a variety of factors you should consider. Finding the perfect breed requires considering not only a dog’s traits and needs but also your lifestyle and habits. If you’re looking to bring a loyal, active, outgoing companion into your life, look no further than the Siberian Husky.
In This Article
The Siberian Husky’s Temperament
A member of the Working Group, Siberian Huskies were bred for endurance and to work in packs. Siberians are loyal and social by nature, with an innate friendliness. They make great family companions and are happy to play with other dogs.
Prospective owners seeking a dog with watchdog skills may want to look beyond a Siberian Husky. The breed is more eager to greet unfamiliar people than ward them off. Siberians also have a deep-rooted instinct to run. Potential owners should be prepared to keep their Siberian on a leash or in a securely fenced area.
Physical Traits and Grooming Needs
Siberians are medium-sized dogs with thick, double coats. Their almond-shaped eyes can be either brown or blue, or sometimes heterochromatic. Siberian Huskies are best known for their pointed ears and powerful, effortless gait. They stand between 20 and 23.5 inches tall and weigh between 35 and 60 pounds.
One of the Siberian’s best features is their natural cleanliness. The breed is known to groom themselves and only requires a few baths a year. Siberians are minimal on odor, but shed more than a lot of dogs, with heavier periods of shedding twice a year. It’s natural for them to shed their entire soft undercoat, so a strong vacuum cleaner is a must! Weekly brushing will help keep a Siberian Husky’s coat and skin healthy and looking its best.
How Much Training Does a Siberian Husky Need?
Like with any breed, early socialization and puppy training courses are paramount to ensuring a Siberian grows into a well-behaved adult. Siberian Huskies do best with patient, consistent training methods coupled with positive reinforcement. They also respond well to training exercises that are fun for both them and their owners.
As a naturally inquisitive and high-energy breed, they’re prone to being escape artists and hole diggers. They also have a strong prey drive.
Since Siberians are social by nature, it’s important that they’re not left alone all day. To avoid undesirable behavior, Siberians should be in the company of their humans or other dogs as much as possible. They’re most likely to thrive in an active, attentive household that is ready to give them all the mental and physical stimulation they need.
Are Siberian Huskies a Good Fit for Families?
Siberians make for excellent family dogs, especially for those who are excited to have an active companion in their home. They’re an exceedingly friendly breed and tend to be good with children and other dogs. Families that are out of the house a lot or don’t have the time to give a Siberian proper exercise should probably consider other options.
How Social Are Siberian Huskies?
Siberians are considered to be highly social dogs. Their social, open disposition is part of what makes the breed unique. Siberians are happy to interact with humans and other dogs. However, while they’re typically friendly to strangers, they can be a bit aloof towards other dogs at first. They don’t enjoy being alone and thrive off companionship.