Have you ever Googled the word “Husky” and looked at the images? Or maybe you just brought home your new Husky puppy and are wondering how big it will end up. It’s worth asking – just how big can the Husky get? Are they considered a medium-sized dog or are they considered a large breed? Maybe they just look so huge because of all that fur!
How big do Huskies Get? Siberian Huskies are considered a medium-sized dog. Adult males can weigh up to 60 lbs and measure up to 23.5″ tall. Female Huskies measure slightly smaller. If you have seen or heard of Huskies larger than this, you may be mistaking them for an Alaskan Malamute, a similar dog in appearance, but larger than the Husky.
Everyone thinks Huskies are a large breed dog, but are listed as medium-sized in the AKC breed standard. The Husky is a strong dog, but its real physical strength is enhanced when working in a pack. Individually, Huskies are more known for their remarkable endurance, friendly demeanor and high energy rather than for their size.
How Big are Husky Puppies?
Husky puppies start out fairly small (and cute), weighing around 15 lbs – 19 lbs by the time they turn 3 months old.
By six months old, your puppy should weigh at least 26 lbs. Some larger Husky pups may weigh up to 36 lbs!
It’s easy to think that at that rate of growth your Husky will turn into a giant beast, but after six months your puppy’s growth will slow down a bit.
When are Huskies Full Grown?
Your Husky should be nearly full grown by the time he reaches 1 year of age. At that point, he should weigh at least 42 lb. and have reached their full height.
For a few more months your Husky will continue to fill out and put on weight, and around 16 months of age you can say your Husky is “full-grown”.
Remember, some individuals are smaller than others, and some are larger. There is an acceptable weight range of between 35 lbs to 60 lbs and a height range of between 20″ – 23.5″.
What About All That Fur?!
One of the things that most distinguishes Siberian Huskies from other breeds is its remarkable fur coat.
The fur of a Husky is double layered and can keep them warm in temperatures of up to -75 degrees Fahrenheit!
In warmer months, this same thick layer of fluff will keep your dog cool by reflecting heat away from its body.
It’s hard to say just how much the fur of a Husky weighs, but lots of Husky owners report that their dog loses weight during their annual “blow out”. The blow out is a period when a Husky sheds their entire undercoat during just a couple of weeks.
It’s not uncommon for a Husky owner to put their dog on a diet thinking that they are quite overweight, only to be shocked at how skinny their dog looks during this blow out period.
Remember, Female Huskies are Smaller
In general, if you are looking to enjoy all the benefits of having a Husky but want a smaller dog, you might want to consider getting a female of the breed.
Females tend to be a bit smaller than males. Males will end up weighing close to 60 lbs whereas a female will top out at around 50 lbs despite having similar heights.
The Husky as a Working Dog
The Siberian Husky is an old breed with an old history.
The indigenous Chukchi people of Siberian Russia are credited with having developed and maintained the breed for at least the last 4,000 years.
The breed was specialized to haul loads over long distances under very harsh conditions because of the nomadic lifestyle of the Chukchi. Eventually, the Chukchi domesticated reindeer and herding was added to the list of jobs the Husky is capable of doing.
Siberian Huskies were bred to its medium size to maximize its efficiency.
Husky dog food requirements are minimal in comparison to the energy that this dog can expend.
It is generally recognized that the Husky can run farther and faster on less food than any other breed known.
Their lack of brute strength is made up for by their endurance and agility.
The Husky is also a very social dog and has a very strongly developed herd mentality. Up to twenty dogs can be hitched to a sled with no fighting and absolute cooperation between them.
All of these characteristics that make the Husky such a great working dog are also what makes the Husky a phenomenal pet.
Related Questions
Yes, there are other Husky-type breeds of dogs that may be easily confused for the Siberian Husky. These dogs all generally fall into the “spitz” type breed category, meaning that they reflect certain common characteristics such as thick fur, pointed ears, and upward curving tails. It is believed that the earliest ancestors of spitz-type breeds originated in the arctic region of Siberia.
The most strikingly similar is the Alaskan Malamute. This breed can weigh up to 100 lbs, though 85 lbs is the preferred maximum weight for males. The Alaskan Malamute has a similar Siberian heritage as the Husky. Due to its larger size and superior strength, this dog is generally used to haul heavier loads.
The Tamaskan Dog, while not an officially recognized breed, can measure slightly larger than a Husky, at 28 in. tall (at the shoulder) and can weigh up to 100+ lbs. This unofficial “breed” is a result of crossing the Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky and German Shepherd to create a wolf-like dog with a good character.
The Akita Inu breed can weigh up to 130 lbs and measure up to 28″ at the shoulder. This breed has a fascinating history as a hunting dog before World War II. They are known to be protective, territorial and fiercely loyal to their owners and families. The American Akita is slightly larger than the Japanese Akita, and internationally there are different standards regarding breed characteristics such as size, color, and markings.
The Alaskan Husky can weigh up to 80 lbs. This is not an officially recognized breed, and its appearance can range from looking like a dead ringer for a Siberian Husky to looking like any other number of dogs. An Alaskan Husky bred for racing can run up to 19 miles an hour! They are highly prized for their remarkable speed and work ethic as a sled dog. Some Alaskan Huskies are bred for working and may be stockier and physically stronger, while not quite as fast as their counterparts.
Yes, because many people underestimate the physical needs of their Husky. Remember, this breed is a working breed, and their specific job is to run.
A lot!
Huskies are capable, with training, of running up to over 100 miles a day! You certainly do not have to take your Husky for a 100-mile run behind your car but you do need to make sure that your dog gets outside for prolonged periods of activity.
A well-exercised Husky is a well behaved and healthy Husky. You should be able to feel the ribs easily (underneath that fur) and see a defined waistline on your dog. If you can’t, your Husky is overweight. You may need to adjust your dog’s diet to be more realistic with the exercise he can get, or you may need to intensify his exercise routine.
