Alaskan Husky

Yappiness / Barking Moderate Separation Anxiety High Preferred Temperature Cold climate Exercise Needs High Friendly With Other Dogs Group Pure bred cost to own $1,000 to $1,500 on average Dog group Working Male weight 35-65 lbs Female weight 35-65 lbs

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The Alaskan Husky is bred to be the ultimate sled dog. They can easily burn 10,000 calories a day in the grueling race.

The Alaskan Husky is an athletic working dog that arose from a cross between several similar yet distinctive breeds, most likely originating almost 10,000 years ago. Genetically, it’s a close relative of the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky. It was later crossed with a few European breeds, including German pointers and the Saluki. Some of these animals even have some recent wolf heritage. It was bred to perform specific tasks needed in areas of Alaska and Canada, like transportation, hauling logs, sled racing, and delivering supplies to remote locations.

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Capable of enduring the harsh climates of the frigid north, the Alaskan Huskies are excellent sled dogs and companions that belong to the spitz group. The spitz dogs are characterized by thick white fur, pointed ears, long muzzles, and curled tails. However, because there isn’t a set breed standard, the Alaskan Husky can come in many different physical permutations and characteristics. They’re bred for speed and endurance, not for looks. As a result, they need to have an efficient gait, a warm double coat, and webbed feet that act as snowshoes. It’s also covered with a mixture of white, black, gray, brown, and even red fur.

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Alaskan Husky Vs. Siberian Husky

The Alaskan Husky resembles its Siberian relatives in many respects, including its strength and its friendly behavior, but physically it looks quite different as a result of recent crosses with European dogs. It tends to be slightly larger and leaner than the Siberian Husky with a much wide range of fur colors and patterns.

Alaskan Husky Vs. Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Husky is not quite as large as the Alaskan Malamute, but it still retains many of the same characteristics, including its athletic body, friendly nature, and intelligent mind.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning An Alaskan Husky

Pros!Cons!Strong and Athletic
The Alaskan Husky is a great exercise companion and hard worker.High Intensity
This dog has a voracious need for exercise. It is probably not suited for apartment living.Friendly and Affectionate
This dog will form a deep bond with its owner.Headstrong
This dog can be a little stubborn at times.Intelligent and Trainable
The Alaskan Husky is able to learn lots of different human commands.Needy
The Alaskan Husky needs a lot of attention from its owner.

Size And Weight

The Alaskan Husky is a medium to large animal with an athletic body. It has clearly been bred for speed and endurance, but it also needs to be strong enough to pull a sled over great distances. Because there are no breed standards, the Alaskan Husky can come in a large variety of different sizes.

Height (Male)23 to 26 inchesHeight (Female)23 to 26 inchesWeight (Male)35 to 65 poundsWeight (Female)35 to 65 pounds

Common Health Issues

Despite being generally healthy, with an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, the Alaskan Husky may be at risk of several health conditions, including hypothyroidism, progressive retinal atrophy, and other common eye disorders, obesity, cancer, a congenital deformation of the larynx (which results in wheezing), and a set of rare metabolic disorders called lysosomal storage disease.

It’s always a good idea to ask your breeder to provide proof or certification that their dogs have been tested for common issues. This will not necessarily stop any health problems from ever arising, but combined with regular checkups at the vet, it will give your dog a better chance at a high-quality life. In summation, these are the most common health problems of the Alaskan Husky:

• Obesity
• Eye Disorders
• Cancer
• Hypothyroidism

Temperament

Alaskan huskies form strong bonds with both people and other dogs.

©Valmedia/Shutterstock.com

The Alaskan Husky has many personality traits specifically bred for its original purpose as a sled dog, but you don’t need to be a sled racer to enjoy these fascinating dogs. Because they work together in large teams, Alaskan Huskies need to get along very well with people and other dogs or animals. They form strong bonds with both alike.

Built for speed and endurance, they also need plenty of room in which to run and play, so they are not very well-suited for apartment living. Alaskan Huskies have a curious and playful nature, sometimes shading into the rambunctious. They can even test the patience of the most understanding owner, especially if the dogs feel bored or ignored. They need almost constant mental or physical stimulation to be satisfied. Owners should prepare to spend a lot of time with this dog.

How To Take Care Of The Alaskan Husky

The Alaskan Husky is probably not suitable for novice or casual dog owners. They need an experienced and engaged owner who has the time and ability to care for their considerable needs. If you have any other questions or concerns about owning this mix, then you should consult with your vet.

The Best Dog Food For Alaskan Huskies

Alaskan huskies have a tendency for hypothyroidism and snacks should be kept to a minimum.

©Elena Sherengovskaya/Shutterstock.com

An active adult Alaskan Husky needs to be fed high-quality food, preferably high in both protein and fat. The amount of food depends on its size, age, and activity level. Given its tendency for hypothyroidism and obesity, owners should limit the number of snacks and opt for food that helps build and maintain lean muscle through exercise.

Purina Pro Plan Sport, Energy & Vitality Support, High Protein 30/20 Salmon Dry Dog Food & Wet Dog Food has a protein-rich nutritional profile that keeps Alaskan Huskies active and fit.

With a balance of 30% protein and 20% fat, the amino acids in this real salmon food fuel muscle growth while glucosamine supports mobile joints. Additionally, vitamin A may help keep your Alaskan Husky’s eyes healthy.

Find Purina Pro Plan Sport, Energy, and Vitality Support High Protein Dog Food on Amazon or Chewy.

Maintenance And Grooming

These dogs have a thick double coat that will need to be groomed at least once or twice a week to remove loose hair and prevent matting. Once the shedding season begins, you may need to brush the dog once a day. This should be complemented with the occasional ear cleaning, good dental hygiene, and regular nail trimming if the nails start to get out of control.

Training

It’s a good idea to start training your Alaskan Husky at an early age.

©iStock.com/kali9

With the speed with at it can learn human commands, it might surprise you to learn that these dogs can be a little headstrong and stubborn. It’s a good idea to start training this dog immediately, as soon as eight weeks of age, when it’s the most malleable and trainable. If you wait until it’s more than six months old, then it’s likely to be more difficult to train. Positive and patient reinforcement methods work best to coax your dog into accepting its training.

Exercise

These dogs are not for the faint of heart. This is a strong, athletic dog with amazing endurance. After all, it was bred for the very purpose of pulling heavy sleds through the snow. The dog will require at least an hour of exercise every single day, but slow walks alone will not suffice. This mix needs to engage in plenty of free running, hiking, sports, games, and other strenuous activities. It’s not necessarily a good idea to let your dog off the leash, because it does have a tendency to wander and explore. A fenced yard is very useful to control these natural tendencies.

Puppies

As mentioned previously, a puppy needs to undergo training and socialization as early as possible. Starting around 10 to 12 weeks old, doggie classes or daycare are ideal places to familiarize your dog with lots of new faces and situations so it can become a well-adjusted adult. Just make sure your puppy has received all of the necessary vaccines first before it interacts with other dogs. Crate training, though not strictly necessary, is also a good option to deal with early anxiety and house training issues.

Alaskan husky puppies should begin doggy classes at 10-12 weeks.

©Jana Caposova/Shutterstock.com

The Alaskan Husky And Children

These dogs are a great choice for families with children. Their friendly and playful nature will appeal to people of all ages.

Dogs Similar To The Alaskan Husky

If you’re a fan of spitz-type sled dogs, then you might want to check out the following breeds:

• Canadian Eskimo Dog – This powerful and athletic sled dog fits the traditional mold of a spitz: it has erect ears, a curved tail, and a thick white coat with a variety of different black or brown markings. However, this breed might be hard to find in the United States. It’s recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club but not the American Kennel Club.
• Samoyed – Originating from the Samoyedic people of Siberia, this big fluffy all-white spitz was bred for the purpose of herding, hunting, and sledding. Today, these friendly, playful dogs, whose mouth always appears to be arched in a smile, make for great companions in the home.
• American Eskimo Dog – These fluffy all-white dogs, which actually originated from Germany (but, due to anti-German sentiment during World War I, had their name changed), was bred more as companions than a working dog. They have a bright, upbeat temperament and a smart, playful personality.

Famous Alaskan Husky Dogs

These dogs have become popularized as the dog of choice in sled races. Dallas Seavey, who has won the Iditarod sled race five times, has a team composed of many Alaskan Huskies, including the lead dog on the winning 2021 team, Gamble.

Popular Names For The Alaskan Husky

If you’re looking for a good name, then you might want to consider one of the following options:

• Jack
• Maya
• Koda
• Luna
• Bella
• Ghost
• Zeus
• Dakota
• Max
• Juno

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