Last Updated on August 16, 2021 by Fumipets

Huskies have a pleasant, good-natured personality that allows them to get along with people of all ages, including young children. Huskies are a breed with rather high-maintenance requirements. They need a lot of training, but their affection for other dogs and general indifference to people make them great family pets.

Now let’s go into more detail about what it means to own a Husky, including the benefits and drawbacks that prospective dog owners and parents should be aware of.

Temperament

A Husky’s temperament is consistent, so you won’t have to worry about them going through mood swings or getting agitated.

Huskies, like other dogs, are very affectionate. Because they’re pack dogs, they can get along with just about anybody, even youngsters. They won’t bark at trespassers, so you won’t have to worry about them scaring your kids with sudden loud barking, and they can adapt to any scenario.

If you’re bringing home a baby, for example, it’s still essential to convey the idea to a Husky ahead of time, but they’ll adjust more easily than other breeds.

Huskies of all ages may be puppies at heart. They are enthralled by life, and even though they have gone outdoors a thousand times, each time seems brand new to them. They are very extroverted and like having a good time.

If you have small children, they will share a Husky’s curiosity with life. They’ll have a friend to play with!

They are dependable, and they have a high level of energy that may equal your kid’s, particularly if your youngster is hyperactive; you can see them exhausting each other.

We’d want to emphasise the word “watch.” When your kid is playing with a Husky or any other dog, keep an eye on them. Huskies enjoy playing with their lips, which includes nibbling.

Huskies Around Your Infant

While children are more equipped to face Siberian Huskies, newborns are more susceptible and unable to defend themselves.

Although a Husky will still show love and devotion to your baby, it is important that you educate them on how to act around it.

If you’re having a child and have a Husky, you’ll want to take steps to ensure that they’re ready for the new arrival. It is not advisable to expose the infant to any dog. They will be envious of your abrupt shift of focus to them.

The sooner and more thoroughly you educate a Husky on how to behave around a newborn, the more prepared you’ll be when he or she arrives at your house.

Don’t leave your baby alone on the floor with your Husky, since they may attempt to play with them and harm them. I recommend waiting until tummy time is done and your dog is safely in another location, whether walled off from the area or put in the backyard.

Raising Huskies with Children

When it comes to parenting children, you must teach them essential skills such as how to use the toilet and how to behave. The first few years of their lives are when they learn the difference between good and wrong, and as a parent, you may assist them in this process.

The same is true for dogs. You must instruct them.

When it comes to growing Huskies and children together, the ideal result is one that is laced with respect: the dog must learn how to behave around children, and the child must learn how to treat and respect the dog.

Children must realise that tugging, pulling, or grasping is not acceptable, and dogs must learn not to bite, nip, or leap.

Huskies are a large breed of dog. Males vary from 21 to 24 inches (54 to 60 cm) and weigh between 44 and 60 pounds, while females range from 20 to 22 inches (50 to 56 cm) and weigh between 35 and 51 pounds (16 to 23 kg) (20 to 27 kg).

It’s enormous in comparison to a two-year-old, who weighs half as much. When the game devolves into roughhousing, you must be ready to intervene before anybody is harmed.

But bear in mind that both parties are doing their hardest, and they enjoy and want to remain friends. Their connection may be strengthened through playing and engaging with one another.

A Husky’s Needs

Aside from the obvious love and compassion that should be given to a Husky, they have certain requirements that you, as the owner, must meet:

Physical and Mental Exercise: Huskies are high-energy breeds, owing to their sled dog ancestry, which necessitates a lifestyle of vigorous mental and physical exercise. This can be accomplished by using a leash, playing with them, or even mushing.

(If you’re unfamiliar with mushing, it’s a dog-powered sport or mode of transportation.) The owner pulls the sled while standing on a sled with their dog or dogs leashed to the front. It’s similar to a horse-drawn carriage, but it’s pulled by dogs instead of horses, and it doesn’t look as elegant.)

Huskies need to stay active and mentally stimulated, which is why including them in family activities is important. Because a bored Husky can become mischievous or destructive, it’s critical to keep them occupied with lots of attention and exercise.

How do you feel when you don’t feel like you’re getting enough attention from someone? So, how about your kid? They may do something nefarious or outside the rules to attract your attention so you will pay attention to them.

This is the same thing that happens to a dog that isn’t given enough care. Huskies require a great deal of care.

Huskies will find ways to amuse themselves if they are not given enough attention, even methods that are contrary to what you have taught them.

Activities for Kids and Huskies

Allowing a dog and your children to spend time together is the greatest method to ensure that they get along.

Sports: Hiking, strolling, soccer, whatever- sports are an easy and enjoyable method for your children and dog to interact.

Go swimming or splash about in the sprinklers: Nothing beats running through the sprinklers or splashing around in the sprinklers on a hot summer day. Water is a favourite toy for both children and dogs.

Training: Your children can participate in training as well! It’s possible to turn it into a game. This can help your children gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment while also providing treats for your dog!

Crafts: Your dog can participate in crafts as well. You might, for example, encourage your kid to paint their collar, food dish (with food-safe colours), or push your dog’s paw into clay and let them paint it.

Visit a pet-friendly park: This is a wonderful opportunity for your dog and children to run about and get some sun.

Fetch and tug of war are classic activities that burn energy and are enjoyable for both your dog and your children.

Other things that your kid and dog may do together include blowing bubbles, playing frisbee, reading together, and just snuggling.

It’s simple to come up with or receive ideas for activities, and it means your family will have a lot of fun.

Costs of Raising a Husky

Okay, so you’ve decided to acquire a Husky! You’ve made the decision that they’re the ideal canine for you and your present and/or future children.

Raising an animal, like any canine, is a huge commitment, particularly financially. Before you sign the adoption paperwork, be sure you have enough money to raise the children.

Keep in mind that a Husky’s typical lifetime is 12 to 15 years, so you can expect them to be around for a long time.

The initial cost of a husky puppy is between $650 and $800. It’s possible to locate them for less money on free pet sites or in classified ads in your local paper, but it’s dangerous terrain since you might be duped into buying a sick puppy, putting your other pets at risk. Save time and money by purchasing a puppy from a reputable breeder.

Food costs about $400 per year. While the kind of food you give your Husky is up to you, We suggest high-quality food. Cheap, junk food is mainly maize and isn’t good for your dog’s health. Instead, feed them something with more meat and vegetables.

Toys cost about $50 per year. Balls, ropes, and chew toys will all be torn to pieces by your dog’s teeth on a regular basis.

Snacks cost about $200 each year. Snacks aren’t required, but they’re a wonderful way to thank your dog for excellent behaviour or during training. If there is a reward, your Husky will eagerly learn new instructions and tricks.

Vet bills: If your Husky is in good health, check-ups, annual vaccinations, and flea and worm prevention should cost about $250 per year. However, if anything occurs to your dog, the cost may rise, and it typically does so suddenly. The expense of spaying or neutering your dog may be as much as $100.

That takes the grand total to $13,500… And that’s just if your dog stays healthy for the rest of its life. Because it is unlikely to happen, the amount may rise by several thousand dollars.

This isn’t intended to frighten off inexperienced or first-time dog owners. It’s critical to grasp the magnitude of the job you’ll be doing over the next decade and how it will affect your finances.

Does the Type of Breed Matter?

There isn’t just one Husky breed; there are many. This article was centred on the Siberian Husky. What about the other breeds, though? Is there a temperamental difference? Is there a breed that would make a wonderful family pet and one that you should avoid?

Let’s start with a basic discussion of husky breeds and how they compare to a Siberian Husky:

Alaskan Husky: While their dispositions are influenced by their ancestors, they are usually loving and adventurous.

Alaskan Malamute: They are taller and heavier than Siberian Huskies (23 to 25 inches and between 75 to 100 pounds). Although Alaskan Malamutes are hostile against other dogs, they are devoted to their owners. Because this breed has such a thick and lengthy coat, it’s critical to understand how to care for them in the summer to keep them safe from heatstroke.

Alaskan Husky: This is a highly alert breed that makes excellent companions. They are lighter than Siberians, weighing 35 to 50 pounds, but they are taller and quicker.

Now, let’s have a look at the various Siberian Huskie breeds:

Akitas: They are a powerful, independent breed that is friendly with family members yet distant with strangers. Although they are a larger breed of Siberian Huskies, both species have the same gentle, loyal, and friendly personalities.

Samoyeds: They are well-bred dogs. Samoyeds are a kind and clever breed. They like being a part of the family and are gentle with both adults and children. Because they are a working breed, they may seem obstinate, yet they are also extremely sociable and devoted. This breed requires constant companionship and is neither psychologically nor physically suitable to be left alone in the garden.

Schipperke: This breed differs from other Husky breeds in that it is not bred for sporting purposes, yet they are just as hardworking as the others. They are bold, nimble, and inquisitive, yet they are also very friendly.

All Husky breeds are extremely friendly towards humans and loyal to their human partners,  even young children, much as the Siberian Husky.

Whether you choose a Siberian Husky or something more exotic like an Akita or a Schipperke, your Husky will unconditionally adore your children.

Related Questions

Can I keep a Husky in my apartment? 

A Husky can live peacefully in either a home or an apartment, but living in an apartment may provide some significant difficulties. They won’t be able to run about in an apartment, therefore regular exercise will be even more important.

Do Huskies get along with cats?

The predatory instincts of huskies are quite strong. While they are sociable with other dogs and humans, do not leave them alone with tiny animals, such as cats, squirrels, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, or birds, both inside and outside the house. Yes, they can be taught to be cat-friendly, but if you aren’t careful, your Husky will most likely devour it.

Do Huskies shed? 

Huskies shed twice a year, first in the spring when the temperature warms up and again before winter to prepare for a thicker coat to fight the cold. Brushing your Husky on a regular basis during these “coat blowing” seasons, as well as at least once a week thereafter, is advised to keep the shedding under control.