Siberian Husky
Built to run all day, and to tell you about it.
- Weight
- 35–60 lbs
- Height
- 20–23 in
- Lifespan
- 12–14 yrs
In short
The Siberian Husky is a Working breed from Siberia, bred by the Chukchi people to pull light loads fast over long distances; adults weigh about 35–60 lbs and live 12–14 years. Huskies are friendly and athletic, but they escape, chase small animals and rarely come back off leash.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a running or sledding partner
- live in a cool climate
- have a secure, escape-proof yard
Think twice if you…
- have cats or small pets
- want reliable off-leash walks
- live in a hot climate
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Training
- 3–5 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 90–135 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityWilling learner7.5/10
EnergyAthlete9.5/10
Calm at homeSettles well6.0/10
SheddingHeavy shedder10.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Blue or bi-colored eyes
Blue, brown or one of each are all accepted and common.
-
02
Endurance build
Light, fast and built to run long distances, so they need serious daily running.
-
03
Thick double coat
Keeps them warm in extreme cold but sheds heavily twice a year.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 45–60 lbs | 35–50 lbs |
| Height | 21–23.5 in | 20–22 in |
| Lifespan | 12–14 yrs | |
| Coat | Medium-length, thick double coat | |
Personality
Huskies are friendly, playful and mischievous, with a strong independent streak. They howl, dig and escape when bored. Expect a social dog that loves people but follows its own agenda.
With kids
Great with kids, but their energy can knock over toddlers.
With other pets
Usually good with other dogs; strong prey drive puts cats and small pets at risk.
With strangers
Friendly to almost everyone, so they are poor guard dogs.
Alone time
Dislike being alone and may howl, dig or escape when bored.
Training
Huskies are smart but independent, bred to run without constant direction. Keep training fun, varied and reward-based.
-
How often
3–5 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending each one on a win.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Between 8–16 weeks, focus on calm exposure to cats and small animals plus handling. Early work helps, but prey drive remains.
-
Self-control
A “leave it” and door manners matter most, since Huskies bolt. Practice waits at doors and gates every day.
-
What it works for
Food and running both work. Use small, high-value pieces within 10% of daily calories; freeze-dried liver is one option.
Exercise
Huskies need long, fast running or pulling every day. Cool weather is best.
Exercise a day
90–120 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Canicross or bikejoring
- Sledding or skijoring
- Long hikes
Brain work
- Food puzzles
- Nose work
- Trick training
Best home
House with a securely fenced yard and an active owner; struggles in heat and small apartments.
Watch for Never let a Husky off leash in unfenced areas, and exercise in cool hours to avoid overheating.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Siberian Husky (35–60 lbs) lands around 900–1,325 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 1,125–1,675 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 115–170 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 6–8 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 900–1,325 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 90–135 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–7 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,225–1,825 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 125–185 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 6–9 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 775–1,175 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 80–120 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–6 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 1,125–1,675 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 115–170 kcal | 6–8 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 900–1,325 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 90–135 kcal | 5–7 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,225–1,825 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 125–185 kcal | 6–9 pieces |
| Senior | 775–1,175 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 80–120 kcal | 4–6 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Hip dysplasia and eye disease (juvenile cataracts, PRA, corneal dystrophy) are the main concerns. Choose a breeder who screens hips and eyes.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs |
| Progressive retinal atrophy | X-linked PRA DNA test | Once, in breeding dogs |
| Siberian Husky Polyneuropathy (SHPN1) | DNA test (results registered with the OFA) | Once (a DNA result does not change) |
| Siberian Husky Shaking Puppy Syndrome (SPS1) | DNA test (results registered with the OFA) | Once (a DNA result does not change) |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Siberian Husky breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Hip evaluation
- Siberian Husky Polyneuropathy (SHPN1)
- Siberian Husky Shaking Puppy Syndrome (SPS1)
Grooming Heavy, with two big seasonal sheds
Brush weekly and daily during sheds with an undercoat rake. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week. Never shave the coat.
History
Ancient
Chukchi sled dogs
The Chukchi people of Siberia bred these dogs to pull light sleds over long distances.
Early 1900s
Alaskan racing
Huskies came to Alaska for sled races around 1908 and quickly proved their speed.
1925
1925 serum run
Husky teams helped carry diphtheria serum to Nome, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1930.
Questions owners ask
Are Siberian Huskies easy to train?
Not easy. Huskies are smart but independent, so keep training fun and reward-based. Recall is rarely reliable.
Are Siberian Huskies good with kids and other pets?
Usually with kids and other dogs. Strong prey drive puts cats and small pets at risk.
How much exercise does a Siberian Husky need?
Plan on 90–120 minutes a day of running or pulling. Cool weather is best.
Do Siberian Huskies shed?
Yes, heavily, especially during two big seasonal sheds. Brush weekly and daily during sheds.
What health problems do Siberian Huskies have, and how long do they live?
Hip dysplasia and eye disease are the main concerns. Siberian Huskies typically live 12–14 years.
Is a Siberian Husky good for apartments or first-time owners?
Not ideal for apartments or first-time owners. Their energy, escape skills and independence take experience.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Siberian Husky needs only 5–7 pieces a day, well inside the 90–135 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Siberian Husky ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Siberian Husky
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
