Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Size: 20-23.5-inches (male); 20-22 inches (female)
Coat: Thick double coat
Temperament: Gentle, alert, active, friendly, intelligent
Exercise needs: More than two hours a day
Origin/native country: Siberia
As the name suggests, Siberian Huskies hail from Siberia and they were developed first and foremost to work as sled dogs. It’s why they’re well built and strong, capable of working together in packs across snow in freezing conditions for many hours on end – they really are one of the breeds that thrive in cold climates. But their beautiful eyes and coats have also seen them become popular pets, helped enormously by their friendly and social nature.
Owning one, however, is not something to decide on a whim. As we will see in this guide, you really need to think long and hard about whether or not you’d be able to offer the right kind of home and environment for a demanding dog such as this. So let’s take a look at what you will be letting yourself in for and whether you should welcome one with the open arms they crave.
Do Siberian Huskies need a lot of exercise?
Look away if the mere thought of working up a sweat leaves you cold because Siberian Huskies are among the most active breeds. If you’re asking whether they need a lot of exercise then the answer is yes. Yes. Oh, and yes again.
But then, given a Siberian Husky is capable of running up to a 100 miles at an average speed of 10 miles an hour in the most freezing parts of the world, that is to be expected.
“This breed was designed for pulling sleds in tough, snowy conditions, so they are built for endurance,” expert vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan affirms. “This means they are athletes and an adult Husky needs at least two hours of activity each day.”
As such, you’re going to have to be an active owner who loves running, cycling or hiking and you should also have a securely fenced yard that would allow them to burn away energy off-lead.
You should also put a lot of thought into their exercise regime. It’s a good idea to mix up your routes so that they don’t become over-familiar to a Siberian Husky, helping to keep the breed inquisitive and alert. You should also look to mentally stimulate this breed using the best dog puzzle toys and perhaps consider agility classes.
Are Siberian Huskies easy to train?
Siberian Huskies have many positive attributes and one of them is their intelligence, but the jury’s out as to whether they’re one of the smartest dog breeds.
“Huskies are very smart, which means they need to keep their brains busy,” Dr MacMillan says.
Yet canine psychology expert Stanley Coren places Siberian Huskies in 45th place in his book “The Intelligence of Dogs” and that’s because two traits make them tricky to train.
“On paper, Huskies should be easy but their independent and stubborn streak can be a challenge,” Dr MacMillan says. It tends to take between 25 and 40 repetitions for this breed to understand a new command and they’ll only obey a first command half the time. Their natural prey instinct also means they can be highly distractible which makes training that bit more difficult.
To get them on board with what you’re trying to achieve, you’ll need plenty of positive reinforcement. It’s also important that you socialize this breed early.
Do Siberian Huskies make good family pets?
You shouldn’t really leave a Siberian Husky alone even for a short period because they really suffer from separation anxiety. It means they’re going to best suit a family whose members tend to be around a lot – and a family who is able to give them the attention they need.
“They can make good family pets if they have had they have been properly socialized, and their exercise needs are met,” says Dr MacMillan. “Huskies are working dogs so need plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation to keep behavioral problems at bay. An unexercised dog is likely to become destructive, boisterous, or anxious.”
If they are properly socialized, you’ll find a Siberian Husky gets on really well with children but they’re not really recommended around small kids because of their strength and size. Children should also be taught how to behave around dogs and they should never be left unsupervised.
Are Siberian Huskies aggressive?
Siberian Huskies have a bite force of 320 pounds per inch (psi) so if they attack, then watch out – most dog breeds have a bite force of 200 psi so there is a potential to cause real damage here.
But the good news is that Huskies are softer than they look and while they may unnerve some people by howling a lot, they tend not to attack.
“Siberian Huskies are not naturally aggressive, but their large size and wolf-like appearance may be off-putting to many would-be intruders,” says Dr MacMillan. “However, if a trespasser got up close, they would find that most huskies are friendly, playful, and enjoy human company.”
Do Siberian Huskies need a lot of grooming?
It’s time to get one of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair because you’re going to find fur everywhere.
“The Siberian Huskey is a very heavy-shedder and requires plenty of brushing to keep on top of their loose fur,” says Dr MacMillan. And that means you’ll have a job to do with this high-maintenance breed.
“You’ll need to brush two or three times a week for many Huskies but they could need more during a heavier ‘blowout’ that happens twice a year,” she adds. “This breed's thick double coat is designed for freezing conditions and is a characteristic feature of this breed. A high-quality balanced diet will help to keep their coat in the best condition.”
Should I get a Siberian Husky?
If you get a Siberian Husky then you must be prepared to devote a lot of time and attention to your dog. You’ll be doing this breed a great disservice if you’re out of the house a lot, can’t devote sufficient time to training and exercise, and don’t want the hassle of grooming.
You’ll also need a secure home and bags of patience and understanding. It’s a big ask of anyone but you have to understand the breed’s origins and take into account that they, ultimately, are considered to be working dogs.
If you are able to indulge this breed in the way they need, however, then you’ll be richly rewarded. A Siberian Husky will fit right into a bustling household and be perfect for families which enjoy adventures and outdoor pursuits. They form incredibly loyal bonds with their families and they can be an utter joy to be around.
Want to learn more about this breed? Here are 32 reasons to love Siberian Huskies
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).
She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
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This feature was last updated on March 3, 2025.
