Are Siberian Huskies good family dogs? There’s a reason Siberian Huskies are one of the most popular types of dog breeds found in the home. Aside from their striking, exotic colors and beauty, the Siberian Husky temperament is gentle, loving, respectable, and hardworking dog that works well in almost any family.
So, are Siberian Huskies good family dogs? Yes. Siberian Huskies can be a great family dog choice because of their calm temperament and ease of being trained. However, they require a lot of physical exercise and maintenance, and these things should be considered before having this breed as a pet.
Knowing the pros and cons of having a Siberian Husky as a family pet will let you make the best decision. We’re going to discuss the top reasons why you may consider this breed as your next family dog, and why you might want to steer clear of this sensational animal.
Siberian Huskies Have a Lot of Energy
One major thing about Siberian Huskies is that they have a lot of energy. This is not the type of dog for someone who is looking for a pet that will snooze on the couch all day. They are not lazy and they certainly won’t want to cuddle up next to you all night long.
Siberian Huskies were originally bred for pulling sleds in the Arctic. This hardworking nature means that the Husky has plenty of energy that needs to be expelled throughout the day. This means that you will need to take him for walks, runs, bike rides, and many more adventures to keep him happy.
If you are not prepared to be physically active with your Husky every day and on a regular basis, you probably shouldn’t get one.
A Siberian Husky with too much pent up energy (common in apartments) may turn to destructive behavior to release their energy.
The good news is, the Siberian Husky may actually encourage you to get up and get active. However, you need to make sure you have both the time and energy necessary to handle a Husky.
They Generally Have a Good Temperament
There are a lot of different reasons why someone might want a Siberian Husky as their family pet. Perhaps the biggest pro of this breed is their temperament, which is generally calm and well behaved.
In most cases a Siberian Husky will be able to get along with children of all ages. They have a cool and calm temperament to handle newborns, infants, and young children. You don’t have to worry about a Siberian Husky suddenly ‘snapping’ and turning aggressive towards you or a loved one, which is a major plus.
However, the Siberian Husky needs to be trained to make sure their playful nature stays exactly that: playful. Sometimes, when a Husky gets too riled up during play, they may nip at the child without actually meaning to hurt them. For this reason your Husky should be trained to play nicely and you should also never leave the Husky alone with a small child.
Another major bonus of the Siberian Husky being a family pet is that they have the energy needed to keep up with kids. Kids will be able to spend hours in the backyard playing with their pet without him wearing out.
They Will Need Special Housing
Siberian Huskies truly have some amazing talents and skills that are driven by independence. One of these skills includes jumping. And if a Husky smells or sees something interesting, they’re going to want to go after it.
With the Husky being able to jump extremely high combined with their intelligence and independent nature, a regular fence is not going to hold your pet in. A husky will require a fence that is at least 6 inches high and reinforced. However, even with a 6 inch high fence it’s possible for your Husky to escape.
The best thing to do when trying to keep your Husky inside the yard is to ensure you have a tall, strong fence. Your backyard should also have a lot of room for roaming. A Husky enjoys wide open spaces and will not like being confined. The less room is available and lack of entertainment, the more likely your Husky is to take off.
This doesn’t mean that you can leave your Husky in the backyard to entertain themselves for days on end. While a Husky might be independent, he doesn’t like to be alone with nothing to do for too long. This is why it is so important to take your Husky out on exciting adventures, even if it is just a walk around the park.
The Husky Sheds- A LOT
If you’re looking for a family pet that doesn’t require too much upkeep in terms of appearance, then the Siberian Husky is not going to be your go-to.
In fact, the Husky has two different layers of fur which will shed often.
There are certain times of the year where a Husky loses a top layer or under layer depending on the weather change. This will result in hair that is literally everywhere and in every corner of the home; possibly even your dinner plate.
The Siberian Husky requires a lot of upkeep, and should be groomed daily to reduce the amount of shedding.
This type of upkeep can cause a lot of stress if you’re not prepared. Knowing what is to be expected of your Husky’s upkeep is key before having one in your own home.
They’re Mostly Good with Other Dogs
Have a dog already?
Want to bring a Husky into the mix?
You will be happy to know that Huskies will be fairly cordial with other dogs. In fact, some owners swear Huskies are better in pairs.
However, smaller breeds and breeds that are more territorial won’t get along with the Husky.
It should also be noted that Huskies have a very intense prey instinct and enjoy chasing which means they should not be housed with cats and other small animals. While a dog around their own size and temperament will be an enjoyable pairing, other types of animals should be avoided at all costs.
The best time to introduce a Husky to another animal is during the puppy stage. As the Husky grows up with the animal they will be able to get along better and shouldn’t have as many issues as adults. Remember to always choose a dog with a calm temperament that won’t be territorial.
Huskies are Trained Easily (Kinda)
A Husky might be independent and like to ‘go to the beat of their own drum’, but they’re also loyal, intelligent, and easily trained.
The best way to train a Husky is to start when they are puppies. (And not just potty training.)
The sooner you get started the better results you’re going to get. But also remember that Huskies have an independent, stubborn attitude, and will need to be continuously trained throughout their lives to ensure they know what’s expected of them.
Related Questions
Huskies are not territorial but they are loyal. Once they have found their special ‘person’ they will be loyal and may become jealous if another dog or human interferes.
A Husky is likely to run away if they feel bored or under-stimulated. Train them to listen when their name is called and always ensure they are being active with you.
