Wooly Husky: Facts About The Long Haired Husky (Full Guide)

Long-haired huskies, commonly referred to as wooly huskies, are purebred huskies, with their main difference from regular huskies being that they have a longer, wooly coat! 

Though they are purebred, they are considered faulty or undesirable in the show ring since their longer guard hairs go against breed standards. Nonetheless, long-haired huskies have all the same amazing attributes as their counterparts. They just have fluffier fur! 

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.

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• Grooming Tools
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• Toys & Enrichment
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Key Questions Answered

Wooly Husky Traits & Characteristics 

Appearance 

The wooly husky is much the same in appearance as the standard husky breed. They are medium-sized with straight, triangular ears. The main difference in appearance is that, of course, they have a longer coat. This longer coat also affects how big they look. 

According to the breed standard, the outline and shape of the body shouldn’t be obscured by the coat. With long haired huskies, it can be a bit harder to make out the outline or shape of the dog’s body because of their long coat. 

Color

Wooly huskies can have a range of coat colors, including black, white, gray, red, and sable. They also have unique eye colors such as blue, brown, green, or a combination of these colors. 

Coat & Shedding

As mentioned, wooly huskies have a longer coat length than their standard counterparts. It is believed that the wooly coat is due to a recessive gene that is carried by both of the parents resulting in some pups of a litter having longer fur.

More specifically, it’s not necessarily the fur of the undercoat that is longer, but instead, the outer coat or the guard hairs that grow longer. This is what gives them that extra fluffy appearance. 

And with that fluffy appearance, you can be certain that the amount of shedding these dogs do is quite a bit! They will require frequent brushing to keep their coat in good condition and to help work out any lingering fur. 

Further reading: Husky Shedding Help Guide

Size

Long haired or wooly Siberian Huskies stand at about 20 to 23.5 inches tall. They usually weigh between 35 and 60 pounds, with the males typically weighing more than the females. 

Temperament & Personality

Wooly huskies can be expected to have much of the same temperament and personality as any other husky. They are typically friendly, playful, and loyal to their family. They’re also known to be quite vocal and love to tell their family how they’re feeling by howling or making various vocalizations! They also have a playful and mischievous side and can be quite entertaining to watch as they play.

Lifespan

The life expectancy for a Siberian husky is between twelve and fourteen years. Overall they are quite a healthy breed of dog, but regular veterinary care is important in order to keep them healthy and thriving. 

Intelligence

Huskies are also known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities. They can be quite curious and like to explore their environment, which can sometimes get them into trouble. Additionally, they can be a bit stubborn, which can also get them into trouble! 

Activity Level 

Huskies are dogs that love to be incredibly active. It is what they were bred for, after all! They have tons of energy and quite good stamina, so regular exercise, as well as finding ways to keep them mentally stimulated and their lives full of enrichment, will be important. 

Good with Kids?

Huskies are friendly, outgoing, and fun-loving dogs and, as such, often do great with kids, especially older kids who know how to play with dogs! The main thing to consider is that because they are so active and full of energy, they might be a bit much for young children to really enjoy. But with time and patience, they can learn to slow down and be gentler around little ones. 

Speed/Strength/Endurance

Huskies are the epitome of speed, strength, and endurance, making them incredible athletes and even better workout partners. 

Behavior

Huskies are typically well-mannered dogs and are easy enough to have in the home. However, if they are bored or aren’t getting enough activity, their behavior can start to take a turn for the worse. Usually, your couch cushions are their first victim! 

History & Origin 

The Siberian Huskies’ history goes back some 4,000 years to the land that is now northern Siberia. The Chukchi people who call this land home first bred huskies to help transport people and goods by way of sled.

Long-haired huskies, since they are still purebred huskies, descended from this line of dogs. Their main difference is that they have a genetic anomaly that causes their guard hairs to grow longer. 

Wooly Husky vs Short Haired Husky

The most notable difference between the wooly husky and the short haired husky is their coat. As the name suggests, the wooly husky has a longer, thicker, and fluffier coat, while the short haired husky has a sleek, smooth coat.

Here are the key differences between the wooly husky, short haired husky and standard Siberian husky.

Wooly husky

• Wooly huskies are are still purebred huskies
• Thicker, fluffier coat than standard Siberian husky
• Longer hair around neck, chest, and tail
• Distinctive appearance
• Require more grooming and maintenance
• Better suited for cold weather

Short haired husky

• Usually a husky mix breed
• Sleek, smooth coat
• Less distinctive appearance
• Require less grooming and maintenance
• Suitable for warmer weather

Are you wondering why your husky isn’t wooly or fluffy? Find out why your husky isn’t fluffy.

How to Take Care of a Wooly Husky

If you have or are planning on getting a wooly husky, you must learn how to take care of a husky.

Nutrition

Wooly huskies require a high-protein diet to support their active lifestyle and a healthy coat. It’s important to provide them with a balanced diet that includes meat, fish, vegetables, and some carbohydrates.  

For more info, visit our Siberian Husky Nutrition Hub.

Exercise

Wooly huskies are an active breed that requires regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Daily exercise that includes long walks, runs, and opportunities to play and explore outside can help keep your husky physically and mentally stimulated.

Further reading: How much exercise does a husky need?

How to Groom a Wooly Husky

Wooly huskies’ fur, whether medium or long, requires regular brushing to prevent matting and reduce shedding. It’s recommended to brush them at least twice a week and more frequently during shedding season to have a better chance of keeping your floors clean. 

Further reading:

• Husky Grooming Guide
• Best Brushes for Huskies
• Best Husky Grooming Tools

Training

Wooly huskies are intelligent and independent dogs, so positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, work best for teaching commands and behavior. Consistency and dedication will be key. 

For more info, visit our Siberian Husky Training Hub.

Puppies

Wooly Siberian husky puppies need a balanced diet, regular exercise, and training to help them develop into well-behaved adult dogs. They also need plenty of social interaction and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

General Health

Overall, wooly huskies are quite a healthy breed of dog. They do, however, have some health concerns that they may be more predisposed to, like cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and hip dysplasia. 

For more info, visit our Siberian Husky Health Hub.

Breeding

Siberian husky breeding involves selecting healthy and genetically diverse parents to produce well-rounded puppies that possess desirable traits such as athleticism, intelligence, and sociability. It is important to conduct health screenings to avoid passing on inheritable health concerns. 

To breed wooly Siberian huskies, you’ll need to of course make sure the parents are both long haired huskies.

Price

Generally, a purebred wooly Siberian Husky can cost anywhere from $500 to $2000 or more, depending on the quality of the breed and whether the dog comes from a reputable breeder. 

Pros & Cons

Pros 

• Athletic 
• Friendly and outgoing 
• Don’t mind the cold

Cons 

• High energy 
• Escape artists 
• Grooming 

Recommendation

Wooly huskies are the perfect match for anyone who loves huskies but is looking for something with a little bit longer of a coat for that extra fluffy look! 

Do you have a wooly husky?

Share your experience in the comment section below.