The Siberian Husky is a gorgeous dog breed that often becomes a victim of their natural beauty. Some people fall in love at first sight with these dogs only to discover later on that the breed doesn’t suit their lifestyle at all.
This is why it is important that you know the good and the bad sides of a Siberian Husky before you add one to your family.
Siberian Huskies are Affectionate and Healthy Dogs
Siberian Huskies are considered to be an amazing dog as a whole with an outgoing and agreeable temperament. This breed is good with children, gentle, can adapt well to new environments, and gets along pretty well with the rest of household pets. Despite being affectionate, these dogs don’t pester to get your attention and despite their size, they eat less unlike other dog breeds of the same size. Unlike most popular breeds, the Siberian Husky doesn’t suffer from numerous genetically transmitted diseases.
Siberian Huskies are Independent and Smart – Both a Good and a Bad Aspect
Sled dogs are working in teams and every canine knows his spot in the pack hierarchy. The pack leader earns its position instead of being elected. For the leader to keep this position, they should be able to defend their entitlement to the label.
A Siberian Husky kept as a pet will not automatically submit to its owner’s authority who thinks of himself as the leader of the pack unless the owner reinforces his entitlement for this position using ways that the dog understands.
This is why this breed is not recommended for non-assertive or inexperienced pet owners. While this breed is intelligent, Siberians are not good when it comes to obedience and might be trickier to train.
Siberian Huskies are Not Good Guards and They Love to Dig, Chase and Escape
Don’t expect your Siberian Husky to be a reliable guard dog. Since they don’t discriminate when it comes to bestowing affection, they will even welcome intruders to your home. The worse is that they might even help a burglar escape, which is yet another talent of the breed.
Siberian Husky owners need a high and strong fence sunk to the ground to ensure that these dogs won’t be able to dig their way outside to freedom. You can never trust these dogs off-leash as they are impulsive, strong, and love to chase small animals. Anyone who holds a Siberian Husky’s leash should have enough strength to restrain the dog if it becomes necessary.
Siberian Huskies Have Lovely Fur That Shed a Lot
The Siberian Husky has a magnificent coat. Their topcoat is coarser and longer with a soft and dense undercoat. Usually in warmer climates, these dogs blow these coats two times a year. In a span of three weeks, a Siberian Husky owner will have to clean after bushels of hair from different nooks and corners of the house. The breed also loves to chew things so they can wreak havoc if you leave them at home unsupervised. The good news is that they are comfortable in well-fenced outdoor kennels with a dog house. Their coats also have insulating properties that keep them warm and cool during subfreezing temperatures and hot weather respectively.
