Huskies are a charming dog breed with a friendly and playful personality. They’re also strong, smart, loyal, and beautiful, but are these traits enough to ensure a great match?
If you’re getting a husky, you should be ready to care for it, all aspects included. So, are huskies high maintenance?
Yes, huskies are very high maintenance.
Huskies are a high-maintenance breed. From frequent grooming and daily exercise to craving attention and being picky eaters, keeping a husky healthy and happy is a lot of work.
Today’s article covers what it takes to properly take care of a husky to help you decide if you can keep up with the breed’s demands.
We understand that huskies are unique and require special care, so we’ve created this one-stop shop to help you find the must-have items for your furry friend.
- Grooming Tools
- Dog Food, Treats & Supplements
- Toys & Enrichment
- Training Aids
- Comfort & Safety
Husky Grooming Needs
A husky’s coat is actually a double coat, meaning that it consists of two layers; a topcoat and an undercoat. As such, this dog breed does shed.
However, it doesn’t stop at average shedding with huskies.
When Do Huskies Shed?
Huskies are among the most notorious canines when it comes to shedding because they do it constantly.
Husky shedding is particularly intense in fall when they lose their summer coat and replace it with a thicker winter coat, and in spring when the opposite happens.
When huskies shed, they leave behind clumps of fine, soft hairs that stick to clothes, furniture, and everything in between.
Further reading:
How To Groom Your Husky
Not only do you have to deal with the heaping amount of shedding around the house, but you also need to address it with adequate grooming.
Huskies require regular brushing and grooming to make sure their coats stay healthy, soft, and shiny.
During average shedding periods, you can probably get away with brushing one or two times a week. But in spring and fall, you’ll need to do it every other day or even every day.
Think again about getting a husky if any of the following is true:
- You suffer from allergies
- You can’t commit to a regular grooming schedule
- You don’t want to be removing dog hair from your items forever
Husky Exercise Needs
Huskies are a highly active dog breed. Their energy levels are typically through the roof, like a toddler on a sugar rush that lasts for hours and repeats every day!
Being extremely energetic can be traced back to the origin of these wolfy dogs. Back then, huskies were bred to perform strenuous tasks in harsh weather conditions.
You may not be able to work your husky on a sled in the Arctic, but its DNA still demands plenty of physical activity to make up for it. This means taking your husky out and scheduling playtime every day.
How much exercise do huskies need you ask? Well, ideally 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening. But at least 1 hour per day for adult huskies.
The type of exercise matters too; it can’t be a simple walk. Examples of appropriate exercises include:
- Walkies
- Running
- Chasing/Fetch
- Agility workouts
- Hiking
- Sled pulling
- Going to a dog park to run wild
Husky Mental Stimulation Needs
Physical exercise isn’t the only type of activity huskies require to stay happy and healthy. They also need mental stimulation to keep them entertained and well-mannered.
This breed tends to get bored pretty easily, which can push them into destructive behaviors. This dog is also quite intelligent and curious, so it’s prone to chasing its own mental satisfaction if you don’t do something about it.
So unless you want to see your house turn into a mess every few days, work out your husky’s brain. Here are a few suggestions:
- Give your husky food puzzles
- Teach your husky a new trick
- Hide items and let your dog sniff them out
For a full list of brain training games, read our guide about mental stimulation for huskies.
Husky Diet Needs
Considering their high energy levels, you’d think that huskies want to eat a lot to replenish their energy reserves.
However, huskies often eat less than you think they should. This lack of appetite can be traced back to the breed’s origin; huskies used to work hard in harsh environments where little food was available.
It’s normal for your husky to eat plenty on some days and avoid food on other days. As long as they maintain a healthy weight, you shouldn’t worry.
With proper training and supplementation, you can give your husky enough nutrition if they’re too picky. But if you can’t resolve the appetite problem, you may need to consult a vet for appetite stimulants.
While on the topic of diet, you should also know that huskies usually have sensitive stomachs. You’ll need to try different food brands and types until you find the winning menu.
Must-reads:
- Best dog food for huskies
- Best dog food for huskies with sensitive stomachs
- Best dog food for huskies with zinc deficiency
Husky Companionship Needs
Huskies are highly sociable canines with bigger-than-life hearts. They’re grade-A pack dogs, which further increases their need for fulfilling companionship.
Huskies seek interaction not only with owners and family members but also with friends and even other animals.
They’re extremely prone to separation anxiety, which can cause them to act out with destructive behaviors.
Not to mention, stress from low socialization can result in a range of health issues that your husky is certainly better off without.
If you’re away from home for extended hours of the day, then a husky isn’t a suitable match. You need to be present most of the time, or when you’re not there, have family members around, have a companion dog, or be willing to take your husky to a doggy daycare.
Must read: Do huskies need a companion?
Husky Space Needs
Huskies are big dogs with lots of energy to unload. They need plenty of space to accommodate their lifestyle.
As such, a small apartment usually won’t do for a husky. They need a sizable house, preferably with a yard where they can let loose.
Further reading: Can huskies live in apartments?
Husky Training Needs
Last but not least, huskies require proper training to spend their pent-up energy and encourage good behavior.
Although they’re smart and intuitive, these pups are also stubborn and independent. Such a combination makes for a challenge when it comes to training.
Socialization and obedience training using positive reinforcement is a must for huskies. You need to be patient but diligent with the process as it can be frustrating at first.
You also need to invest time and attention into the training phase to make it effective. Eventually, you’ll have a happy, well-behaved husky on your hands.
Make sure you read our ultimate guide about how to train a husky.
Final Thoughts
So, are huskies high maintenance? Yes, huskies are high-maintenance!
They require regular grooming, a lot of exercise, and mental stimulation. You also need to provide them with proper training and constant companionship.
They also have special diet considerations and need plenty of space to thrive.
Are you ready to get a husky?
If so, comment ‘Yes’ below.
If not, share your reasons why.
Further reading:
FAQ
Are huskies high maintenance?
Yes, huskies are considered to be a high-maintenance dog breed. There are several things you must know before owning a husky.
What are the high maintenance habits of huskies?
Huskies are known to shed a lot, require a lot of exercise, and can become destructive if left alone too for too long. They also have a tendency to howl, which is a habit that not all owners may appreciate.
What are the exercise requirements of a husky?
Huskies are high-energy dogs that require plenty of exercise. They need to be taken for long walks, runs, or hikes every day to stay mentally and physically stimulated. They need at least 1 hour of exercise per day, ideally 2 hours.
Can huskies adapt to apartment living?
Huskies are not well-suited for apartment living. They are large dogs that require a lot of space to run around and play. They are also known to be noisy, which may not be appropriate for shared living spaces.
Is it important to keep a husky well-groomed?
Yes, it’s crucial to keep a husky well-groomed. They have a thick coat of fur that needs to be brushed regularly to prevent matting and tangling. They also shed heavily twice a year, which can be a challenge to manage.
Are huskies good with other dogs?
Huskies are good with other dogs, especially if they have been socialized from a young age. However, they have a strong prey drive and may not do well with smaller pets such as cats or rabbits.
Do huskies get lonely?
Huskies are pack animals and may become lonely if left alone for long periods of time. They thrive on social interaction and may develop behavioral problems if they don’t receive enough attention and affection from their owners.
Is it hard to take care of a husky puppy?
Yes, taking care of a husky puppy can be challenging. They require a lot of attention and training to help them develop good habits and behaviors. They also need to be socialized with other dogs and people from a young age.
What should I know before getting a husky?
There are several things you need to know before getting a husky. They are high-energy dogs that require a lot of exercise, attention, and grooming. They may also be prone to certain health concerns and are not well-suited for apartment living. It’s important to do your research and make sure a husky is the right fit for you before making any decisions.
