4 Things You'll Have to Give up for Your Husky
If you are considering adopting a Husky, perhaps my experience can help you decide.
Cons to Owning a Husky
Huskies are wonderful dogs. They are intelligent, energetic, loyal, friendly, easygoing, and the list goes on.
If you're thinking about adding one to your family, you're probably in the process of researching the breed to make sure it's a good fit for your household. You've probably heard all the coolest things about Huskies.
I love my Husky, I really do, however, she's not the most chill dog I've ever met, if you catch my drift. There are some serious adjustments I've had to make in order to make sure she's happy and well cared for. Some of these adjustments have been a little hard for me (see #1 below). I wish I had known ahead of time. Would I go back and get a different breed if I had? Absolutely not. It just would have been nice to have a little glimpse into my Husky-owning future, so that I knew what was coming.
Every new dog will require certain sacrifices, but I really feel like Huskies are just a little bit special when it comes to the kind of lifestyle they require. So, I'm about to come at you from a different angle and tell you about some of the things you'll have to give up if you want to make it work with a Husky hanging around. They're not that awful, I promise!
My adorable Husky did not come without some costs.
Kristen Haynie
1. Your Mornings
One of the first things you'll learn about Huskies is that they have tons of energy. Huskies are working dogs, and they like to go-go-go. They rise with the sun and are ready to start every day with a bang. You can forget about sleeping in or relaxing with a hot cup of coffee! Your Husky will want to go out and do something first thing in the morning. A long walk, a run, or a trip to the dog park first thing in the morning is ideal. The more exercise they get, the better. Otherwise, they'll get restless very quickly. A restless Husky is a force to be reckoned with.
My Husky is ready to go at 5 a.m. every single day. Never mind that the sun isn't even up yet; it's time to get up and start the day. She makes sure that I'm awake before sunrise and even brings me my socks if I'm taking too long to change out of my pajamas. At first light, I take my coffee to go as we head out for our daily adventure!
2. Your Alone Time
You're not really a fan of alone time, are you? I sure hope not, because you probably won't get much of it with a Husky hanging around!
Huskies are pack animals. They will see you as a part of their pack and will want to spend a ton of time with you, especially if they are the only dog in the house. They are happiest when they can be with you. A Husky will not be okay with spending large portions of the day at home alone. They're not a dog you can just throw in the backyard and forget about. This is the kind of dog that is best at being your companion. They'll want to go everywhere with you ... probably even to the bathroom if they can get away with it.
This "no alone time" thing is especially true if you have a pup. Huskies are exceptionally intelligent, which means they require more mental stimulation than some other dogs would. If a Husky pup gets bored, you're asking for trouble. They'll end up destroying something just to keep themselves occupied. A pup will need plenty of supervision and interaction!
My Husky goes everywhere I go, with a few reasonable exceptions, of course. We go on daily adventures together, and she even sits with me in my office while I work. She does just fine when I have to leave her alone, but she prefers to spend as much time with her "pack" as she can!
Impatient Husky Wants To Go For A Walk
3. Your Nice Yard
Huskies and nice landscaping don't mix. They're natural diggers, and the habit is extremely hard to train out of them.
I thought I could stay on top of it at first. I thought I could just watch my pup very closely and discourage any digging the second it started. I was very wrong. I turned my back on her for less than five minutes, and she had dug a hole big enough to fit her entire head into. Since that moment, it's been impossible to get her to stop. She loves to dig and doesn't care much about whatever consequences she'll face. Unless you plan on hovering over your dog every single second they spend in the yard, you're going to end up with a few holes here and there.
My Husky loves hanging out in the backyard. She's definitely an outdoors kind of girl! I've had to come to terms with the fact that she's going to dig. As long as she's not digging her way under the fence, I'll just let her have her fun.
4. Your Clean House
If you plan on adding a Husky to your family, your vacuum cleaner is about to become your best friend.
Huskies shed outrageous amounts of fur. Every. Single. Day. If I don't vacuum daily, I start finding huge balls of fur accumulating in the corners of every room. Even with daily brushing, you're going to end up with loose fur floating around your house. It will be on the floor, on the couch, in your bed, on your clothes, in your eye, etc. You may even occasionally find it in your food. It's bound to happen, and it's just something you're going to have to live with.
Huskies Are Still Worth It!
See, it's not too bad, right? I love my Husky more than anything, and having her around is more than worth dealing with the little quirks that come with the breed. Although it's been hard for me to part with my beloved quiet mornings, I love that she gets me up and out into the world on a regular basis.
If you have a Husky yourself, you probably know all too well what I'm talking about! If you have anything to add to the list, please leave a comment below!
© 2017 Kristen Haynie
Comments
Thomas tyler on December 22, 2019:
I had a rare Husky. He was 14 when he passed almost 2 yrs ago. He made it for 2 years with physical therapy 2 times a week.
Made it to 1 week after his birthday.
I say he is rare being he had none of the bad traits. Did not jump on anyone but me. Did not dig, he hated getting his paws dirty. Would not even walk thru puddles or mud. Never chewed anything but his rope bone he would throw around. After he was a year old started walking him without a leash. If he walked almost 25ft from me he would stop and wait.
He was a berry passive dog, gentle. Got excited and loved babies. He was very easy to train and only took 1 week to house break. He had his own 6x8 area in the yard for his business. I think it’s because he did not want to walk in his own.lol. Still missing him.
Nicola Oussov on August 22, 2019:
I have two beautiful huskies (15 months old) and yes they destroy but oh do we love them. They have the most amazing personalities and really make us laugh. But yes I must agree you need to know what you are getting yourself into when getting a Husky.
Hassan Khan on February 25, 2019:
I just bought 2 husky pupps and information you shared little scared me but i hope i will adjust
love my husky on October 24, 2017:
I have a red husky, Juneau. He's now 13 but still active in his old age. He's had ACL surgeries and yet still wants to go walking, playing, running (not as much as before ) but still finds it very enjoyable. All the above is true for huskies but I got lucky and he dug once and never did again. They are extremely intelligent but oh so amazing, loyal, loving and yes will follow you everywhere. I love this breed and am so happy we got him (he's our first dog) and we are so lucky to have him in our lives.
Michael P King from Bostonia, California on October 15, 2017:
I haven't actually had a Husky--I had a dog who was a cross between two AKC Grand National Champions...of different breeds! Mikki's sire was a Siberian Husky and her dam was a St. Bernard. She was long, slender and leggy with a heavy fur coat and a heavy-duty tail. Her temperament was very easy-going and sweet. She was incredibly intelligent and could run like the wind and jump like a kangaroo.
If you were human, she could appear ferocious if you didn't know her. For that reason, she made an excellent watch dog. However, she never actually attacked a person that I know of. On the other hand, if you were an animal, you'd better not let her catch you in "her" yard! Cats, birds, gophers, rats, mice...anything that moved but was neither a human nor a dog...was dead meat if she caught sight of it on her turf.
Another of our dogs, a high-strung Jack Russell Terrier mix, sometimes irritated Mikki so thoroughly that she would pick her up around her middle and shake her! Then she would put her down and walk away. That put an end to the annoying behavior for about ten minutes, after which the whole cycle would start again. Obviously, this was not the sort of violent shaking for which Pit Bull Terriers are infamous. It was actually rather gentle--much more so than Nilla deserved...she could be a real pill.
As easygoing as Mikki was, there was one thing that scared her practically to death: gunfire. Well, actually two things: gunfire and fireworks. Every New Year's Day and Independence Day, someone had to take her indoors and hold her. Otherwise, she would go absolutely berserk as soon as she started hearing the "pop!-pop!-pop!" of shells and firecrackers going off across the valley.
Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on October 14, 2017:
I love your photos and video. I also love the information that you've shared. It's important for any prospective pet owner to know about the disadvantages of having a pet in the family as well as the advantages. Thanks for sharing the information. Your Husky looks like a lovely girl!
Elaina Baker from USA on October 13, 2017:
It’s good people understand what they will be getting into. Oh, look at that face!
Wesman Todd Shaw from Kaufman, Texas on October 13, 2017:
Sounds like a breed best suited for persons who live in rural areas. I'd love to have one. They're so beautiful, and those eyes are pretty enchanting.
Where I am no one keeps dogs fenced. Folks keep small dogs in the house, but not something as large as a husky. I freaking LOVE it when my two dogs howl with the coyotes at night. I bet a husky can howl with the best of them :)
