Husky Lifespan: how long do Huskies live?

Thinking about adding a Siberian Husky to your home? One important thing should come to mind: how long do Huskies live? You don’t want to go through the pain and suffering of losing your best friend unless you know what’s coming to you. Knowing the lifespan of your new pal will give you some insight on what to expect.

So, how long do Huskies live? The average Siberian Husky lifespan is between 12 and 15 years. While this is the general average of Husky lifespan, it’s important to remember that not every dog is created equal. Some dogs may die before the 12 year mark, while others surpass 15 years.

While no dog is going to live forever, you can at least get some insight on how long your new furry friend is going to survive with the right information. We’re going to discuss the dog lifespan of a Husky by sex and also what different health problems may have an impact on how long they live.

How Long do Huskies Live in Dog/Human Years?

The good news about Huskies is that they were bred in the cold temperatures to pull sleds. This required the Husky breed to be strong and healthy, which means they are likely to live longer than expected for their size.

The average Husky will live 12 to 15 years but always remember that this will differ from dog to dog. Some dogs may succumb to illnesses at an earlier age, while others will survive long past their expiration date. Always take into account that 12 to 15 years is simply a ballpark estimate that you can expect.

In dog years, the Siberian Husky can last between 69 and 90 years of age. If you think about it, that is a long time for a dog to live. In human years, this is certainly the ‘elderly stage’. Knowing that your Husky is surviving up until his ‘elder years’ can make the process a little bit easier to cope with.

In terms of Husky size, 12 to 15 years is a fairly good lifespan. Other dogs around the same size, such as a German Shepherd, will also have similar life spans around 12 to 15 years. However, the healthy and strong nature of the Arctic Husky may leave them outliving other dog breeds of the same size.

How Long do Female Huskies Live?

Female Huskies have been known to outlive their male counterparts, but the numbers aren’t so extreme that they are notable.

It is important to note that in almost every dog breed, the females will outlive the males. This is also true for the Husky breed.

To put it simply, female Huskies will likely have a few short years more than the males. However, this isn’t true for every circumstance and it’s still possible to see males outliving females in a long of cases. 

This is why it’s not a well-known topic that is discussed when adding a Husky to your home as a pet. The male and female have similar life expectancy, but your best bet is going to be on the female. 

How Long do Male Huskies Live?

As previously mentioned, Huskies will typically live for 12 to 15 years, or 69 to 90 years in dog years. However, this number may be slightly less than the female counterparts as females are known to live a little bit longer than the males.

The life span of your Husky will always rely on a number of different things whether they are male or female. A Husky who succumbs to an illness at an early age will certainly perish before a strong, healthy dog who is fed a good diet and exercised regularly.

Taking proper care of your Husky will always increase the life expectancy, no matter if they are male or female. However, always keep in mind that there are certain illnesses that affect the Husky and can bring them down well before their time.

What Health Problems do Siberian Huskies Have?

Unfortunately, the Siberian Husky has a lot of potential health problems that owners should be aware of. The good news is that the Husky is a relatively healthy breed that won’t succumb to illnesses easily. However, these health issues can have an impact on the overall lifespan for your Husky.

• Cataracts. Cataracts are the biggest concern when it comes to the Husky breed. It will typically show up between the first 6 and 12 months of life. It can eventually lead to blindness in the Husky. The best way to avoid this is by having your pet’s eyes checked regularly.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Progressive Retinal Atrophy, otherwise known simply as ‘PRA’, is another eye problem that can occur in a Husky. This eye issue can also cause blindness if not caught early enough, making checkups all the more important.
• Corneal Dystrophy. The last issue of the eyes that affects the Husky Is Corneal Dystrophy. This illness can cause the Husky to have hazy vision. 
• Hip Dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a costly and very painful health issue that affects a large amount of Siberian Huskies. Getting the treatment for hip dysplasia is critical, though, as it can cause a painful hip joint that will certainly leave your dog unhappy and unable to do normal functions.
• Follicular Dysplasia. This type of health issue causes the Huskies skin to be damaged. The skin will either have fur loss, abnormal hair growth, or infection skin. It will typically show up when the Husky is a puppy at the young age of 3 to 4 months.
• Hypothyroidism. Another common health problem for the Siberian Husky is hypothyroidism. If your Husky is looking lethargic, lazy, and gaining weight suddenly, it may be due to an imbalance causing hypothyroidism. Luckily this is very treatable.

The best way to ensure that your northern dog stays healthy and strong is to give them the highest quality dog food you can afford, plenty of love, and exercise! Here are some tips to keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated:

• Huskies love water, but aren’t good swimmers. Teach him how to swim!
• They thrive when they have a job. Siberian Huskies make excellent service dogs.
• Siberian Huskies are smart. Challenge him with toys to keep his mind sharp.
• Let him chase the cat. Just kidding! They have a strong prey drive, so Huskies and cats don’t get along very well.

Remember: a tired Husky is a Happy Husky!

Taking your Husky to the vet regularly seems like a no-brainer, but is often overlooked because . Most health problems that are regular for the Husky can be treated, as long as they are caught early enough. As they age, into senior dogs, you may need to reconsider their nutritional requirements.

Another thing to consider is proper grooming of your Husky.

The Husky has two layers of fur coating, which needs to be groomed on a daily basis. If left untamed, it can cause a mess of health issues related to skin and fur for your dog. Brush his coat regularly and ensure he is being properly groomed.

Related Questions