Husky Dachshund Mix (Dusky): Owner’s Guide

The Siberian Husky Dachshund mix, also known as a Dusky, is a unique and charming breed of dog. They are known for their loveable personalities, loyal nature, and adorable looks.

They are wonderful dogs for people who want both breeds’ personalities combined into a compact sausage dog that looks like a husky! 

👉 Husky Essentials

Siberian Husky Essentials

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.

Supplies:

• Grooming Tools
• Dog Food, Treats & Supplements
• Toys & Enrichment
• Training Aids
• Comfort & Safety

Husky Supplies

Husky Dachshund Mix Traits & Characteristics 

• Loving
• Playful 
• Friendly 
• Spunky 

Traits Summary Table

Appearance

The best way to describe a Dusky’s appearance is as a smaller, closer to the ground, and longer-bodied version of a Siberian Husky!

Other areas of appearance can be a bit harder to predict. For example, the pup could have the erect triangular ear of the husky, or it could inherit more of the bent-over, floppy ears of the Dachshund. 

Color

In most cases, a Dusky will more closely resemble a Siberian Husky’s colors. Siberian Huskies can have coats of gray and white, sable and white, red and white, and black and white. They can also be entirely white or be agouti and black as well.

A Dusky could still, however, inherit some of the Dachshund’s colors and patterns, including fawn, chocolate and tan, black and tan, wheaten, and fawn, just to mention a few.

Dachshunds typically have eyes that are shades of brown or amber, while Huskies are famous for sometimes having striking blue eyes. A Dusky could have either or one of each! 

Coat & Shedding

For Dachshunds, the coat comes in three different variations, including:

• Smooth
• Wirehaired
• Longhaired

Smooth-coated dachshunds have short and shiny or glossy coats. Wirehaired dachshunds have a thick, wiry coat. Longhaired dachshunds have a long and smooth coat. They all shed to some extent, but regular brushing can help decrease shedding and prevent tangles and mats.

Siberian Huskies, on the other hand, are double-coated dogs with thick heavy fur that requires frequent brushing.

A mix between the two will likely be a combination of the two parent breeds and have a short to medium-length coat that requires frequent brushing to decrease shedding. 

However, luckily the Dachshund side has a smooth coat, so this Husky mix doesn’t shed as much compared to standard Huskies.

Further reading: Short haired husky mixes

Size

Siberian Huskies are medium-sized dogs who typically are about 20 to 23.5 inches in height and weigh between 35 and 60 pounds.

A standard-sized Dachshund, on the other hand, typically stands at between 8 and 9 inches and weighs between 16 and 32 pounds.

Dachshunds can also be miniature and stand at 5 to 6 inches in height and weigh less than 11 pounds, though usually, the standard Dachshunds are the ones used to create mixed breeds like the Dusky.

A Dusky will generally stand at about 9 to 16 inches in height and weigh anywhere from 20 to 55 pounds. 

Temperament & Personality 

When looking at the parent breeds of this mix, you’ll find that Siberian Huskies are incredibly energetic and playful dogs who, although they can be stubborn and wilful at times, love their families fiercely.

Dachshunds, though much smaller, actually have quite similar personalities! They are full of energy, love to have fun, and have an independent streak that can make them a bit stubborn. But they are very loving family dogs.

A mix between the two will likely share all of these same qualities and become a very loving family dog. Expect them to be loving, friendly, playful and spunky!

Lifespan 

Aside from a few potential common health concerns, Duskies are relatively healthy dogs. Siberian Huskies are expected to live to be anywhere from 12 to 14 years old, while a Dachshund’s life expectancy is around 12 to 16 years of age.

As such, a Dusky will likely fall in the middle, with a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years. 

Further reading: How old is my Husky in humans years? 

Intelligence

Duskies are very smart little dogs, thanks to the Siberian Husky parent’s intelligence and the Dachshund parent’s cleverness.

Thanks to these qualities, Duskies are quick to learn and easy to train. The only thing that might be holding them back in terms of intelligence can be their propensity for sometimes being stubborn and willful. 

Activity Level 

Dusky pups are incredibly energetic and active dogs thanks to their parent breeds. In addition to getting plenty of regular exercise and physical activity, Duskies thrive when they are able to keep busy. This can be in the form of playing with their humans, playing with toys, and playing with other dogs.

They do especially well with enrichment toys like treat puzzle dispensers and snuffle mats. These pups need at least an hour or two of physical and mental activity each day. Chances are, though, they’ll settle down and want to cuddle up once they’ve gotten all that energy out of their system! 

Are Husky Dachshund Mixes good with kids?

Duskies are definitely family-friendly dogs. They love to play with older kids who will run around with them. They may not be the most patient dogs, though, so it will be important to teach young children not to grab at the dog, pull their tails, or poke them as this can cause irritation to dogs and may result in the dog trying to correct the child’s behavior by barking or nipping. 

Speed, Strength & Endurance 

Dachshunds are surprisingly fast and agile little dogs who can run for long distances. That, combined with the husky’s speed and strength, makes for one athletic pup! 

Behavior

With proper training and socialization, Duskies can be perfectly well-behaved dogs. However, there are some traits that they may inherit from their parent breeds that can sometimes result in them being a bit naughty…

For example, dachshunds were originally bred to bark, chase, and dig to help out hunters. These tendencies can definitely carry through to the Dusky resulting in a dog who loves to bark, loves to dig, and finds it thrilling to chase after small animals like the neighborhood squirrels or even the family cat.

From the husky side, Duskies can inherit their propensity for destruction when bored and may take to chewing up shoes and furniture to entertain themselves. 

For more info, visit our Husky Behavior hub. 

History & Origin of the Husky Dachshund Mix

Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies come from an ancient line of dogs going as far back as 4,000 years ago in the northern regions of Siberia. Here they were developed into the modern-day husky by the Chukchi people that are native to the region.

Huskies were developed to be companions as well as working dogs who helped the Chukchi people survive in the harsh climate of Siberia. Huskies would help provide extra heat at night by cuddling up with their people.

An even more important job that they had was to help transport food and other goods and supplies on sleds as the people traveled throughout the region. Later on, around the 1800s or so, the Siberian Husky started making its way to the rest of the world and quickly growing in popularity. 

Dachshund

Dachshunds are a German bred dog whose history goes back about 600 years. In fact, the word Dachshund is actually the German word for “badger dog” because this breed was developed to help people hunt for badgers and other small game!

Dachshunds would be encouraged to find badger dens and dig their way in and flush out the badger for the hunters. They were designed to be clever and courageous and to have a loud bark, even to communicate to their hunter that they found the badger den. 

It has only been in more recent years that these two famous breeds have come to be bred together, as there has been an increasing demand for unique designer or hybrid dog breeds. Still, despite the popularity of their parent breeds, Duskies are not commonly seen. 

Husky Dachshund Mix

While breeding between a Husky and Dachshund could potentially happen naturally, it is likely more commonly the result of intentional breeding through in-vitro fertilization.

Dachshund mothers would be far too small to successfully carry and birth Husky mix puppies, so it is likely that the mother would be a Husky and the father would be a Dachshund.

Despite how cute they are and the popularity of their parent breeds, these pups are not very common. 

How to Take Care of a Husky Dachshund Mix 

Nutrition 

Duskies require a nutrient-rich, and well-balanced diet made up of whole ingredients to keep them strong and healthy. It is best to avoid unnecessary filler ingredients like corn, soy, or wheat.

These dogs will need somewhere between 1.5 to 2.5 cups of food per day, but it is always best to follow the feeding guidelines provided by your chosen dog food brand, which are typically based on the dog’s age and weight. 

For more info about nutrition, visit our Husky Nutrition hub.

Exercise 

Both Siberian Huskies and Dachshunds are incredibly active and athletic dogs. They need plenty of physical activity to keep their bodies in good shape. This can include going for daily or even multiple walks every day. Some may even enjoy going for short runs.

It will be important to find a healthy balance for getting these pups the right amount of exercise. Because of their low stature and long bodies, they can be more prone to joint issues, and we don’t want to add any unnecessary stress on their joints or bodies.

Other ways to get in some physical activity include playing fetch or frisbee in the backyard or going to the dog park or doggie daycare to get some socialization and playtime with other active dogs. 

Further reading: How much exercise does a Husky need?

Grooming 

A Husky Dachshund mix will require a fair amount of grooming to be sure. Both parent breeds are known to shed, especially the Siberian husky. The best tools to have in a Dusky grooming kit will be a metal comb, slicker or pin brush, and a deshedding rake or comb.

They also benefit from the occasional bath to keep them clean and using a deshedding shampoo and conditioner to help keep shedding under control. But definitely plan on having a good vacuum and using it frequently to keep up with shedding in your house!

Training

Because of the strong and big personalities, it will be incredibly important to start training early on in a Dusky’s life.

In addition to crate training and puppy potty training, it’s best to start with the basic, standard commands every pup needs to learn, like coming when called, how to walk nicely on a leash, and commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “down.”

It also will be important to start properly socializing these dogs early on so they can learn good manners around other dogs and humans. 

For more info about training, visit our Husky Training hub.

Dusky Puppies 

In addition to being ridiculously cute, these puppies are a lot of fun! They can also get themselves into a lot of trouble, so it is important to keep a close eye on them and work on crate training for when you can’t actively supervise their play. We don’t want them to learn any bad behaviors like digging holes in the backyard or garden looking for badgers!

Additionally, remember to stick to a regular routine or schedule to help make potty training as easy as possible. And don’t forget to keep your shoes up off the floor and put them away! Duskies find them to be delicious snacks. 

Further reading: Why does my Husky sleep so much?

General Health 

Duskies are relatively healthy dogs. Though there are a few common health concerns they may be more prone to facing. From their husky parentage, a few common health concerns they may be more prone to are cataracts, progressive retinal dystrophy, hip dysplasia, and hypothyroidism.

From their Dachshund parentage, some of the more common health concerns include back problems such as intervertebral disc disease, cardiac diseases, obesity, elbow dysplasia, and patellar luxation.

While they may face some inheritable health concerns, regular check-ups with a veterinarian and preventative care will help keep these dogs in good health. 

For more info about about health, visit our Husky Health hub.

Dachshund Husky Mix Price

Siberian Husky pups can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,200, depending on their ancestry and their breeder. The price may be even higher from reputable breeders who do genetic health testing.

Similarly, Dachshunds can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,200. Again, the price could go higher when adopting from a reputable breeder.

Therefore, the price of a Husky Dachshund Mix from a breeder is likely $400 to $1200.

These mixes can also sometimes be found in shelters or rescues where the cost will be significantly lower. 

For info about the maintenance cost of Huskies, visit our Husky Price hub.

Dusky Pros & Cons 

Pros: Family friendly, intelligent, loyal and loving 

Cons: Feisty, high prey drive and mischievous 

Husky Dachshund Mix Alternatives

Here is a list of Husky mixes that are also quite small:

• Husky Chihuahua Mix
• Pomeranian Husky Mix
• Corgi Husky Mix
• Beagle Husky Mix
• Boston Terrier Husky Mix
• Pitbull Husky Mix

Recommendation 

Overall, Duskies are a great mixed husky breed that make wonderful family pets for those who love to be active and are willing to put in the time to train and meet the needs of these adorable pups. 

Do you have a Husky Dachshund Mix? Share your experience in the comments below.