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How do you choose a Siberian Husky breeder to acquire your new puppy from? What separates bad breeders from good ones, and good ones from great ones? Here are the things you need to consider when dealing with breeders of Husky puppies and looking for a new pup.

Initial Research

First, look for breeders in your area. You can use our Breeder Directory as a starting point, or the SHCA Referral Directory, and also consider breeders in your neighboring states if there aren’t many local to you. You want to be able to visit the breeder, on at least two occasions, so it makes sense to choose from breeders you can easily visit. Buying from a breeder that will freight the dog to you, without checking you out first, is a sign of a breeder who is more interested in selling puppies than finding the right one to match your requirements.

It should go without saying (but we will say it anyway) you should avoid pet stores, puppy farms and any other party who you suspect is not breeding for the betterment of the Siberian Husky breed. By working with a responsible breeder you are likely to get a healthier puppy that is socialized, pay less for the puppy (no retail margins), and are helping to stamp out poor breeding practices.

You should also start forming a relationship with your local vet and ask him or her for referrals to local breeders, breeding clubs, or Siberian Husky clubs that can help you locate a breeder.

Before visiting a Husky breeder always give them a call first – nobody likes unannounced drop-ins! They might out presenting their dogs at a show (another good sign they are working on improving the breed). You should ask them if they are members of any breeding clubs, and/or who mentored them: either of which is a sign of a dedicated breeder. You should ask about their history with the breed: why did they choose to breed Siberian Huskies and how long have they been doing it for? This will help avoid inexperienced breeders.

The breeder is also likely to ask questions of you and what kind of puppy you are looking for, what environment you live in, and other questions to help decide that you will be a responsible pet owner. Beware of any breeder that encourages you to rush your decision without checking you out.

Responsible breeders do not breed every year, and it is likely that you talk to kennels that do not have any puppies available at all. You can ask for referrals to other breeders: good breeders know other breeders in the vicinity. You might even need to be patient and wait a number of months until new litters are born. The breeder will most certainly be able to keep your details on hand for that event and contact you in the future.

First Visit

On your first visit, your aim is to evaluate the breeder and the premises and start forming a relationship. A good breeder will show you around and let you inspect where the puppies spend most of their time. A clean and maintained environment is what you are looking for.

Also, do the puppies seem happy to have you around? Responsible breeders will socialize dogs early and get them used to new sights, smells, sounds, and experiences. If most or all the puppies run away at your sight it could be a warning sign that this socialization has not occurred.

The size of the property, the number of dogs on site, website, advertising, and other promotional material from the breeder is not an indication of the quality of the dogs being bred.

Resist the urge to make a decision on this first visit, no matter how cute and adorable the puppies are! You and the breeder should be working together to find a puppy with a temperament suited to your lifestyle. The breeder should be asking lots of questions about you in order to suggest potential puppies for you. In turn, you should feel comfortable talking to the breeder, asking the hard questions such as the health of the breeding line, documentation demonstrating the parents are healthy and resistant to Siberian Husky health issues such as eye and hip disorders. Registration papers are good but just remember they only demonstrate the parents were registered, and do not indicate the overall health prospects of the pups.

A breeder should be respectful of your decision to visit other breeders and find a dog that suits you. Any breeder who puts the ‘hard sell’ on you is most likely in it for the money, and not the long term future of the dog.

Second Visit and Collection

Now you want to start getting serious about making a decision – asking more questions that might have been raised when you visited other breeders. If it takes you a third, fourth, or further visit to help make the right decision then so be it. Breeders are generally very happy to have responsible pet owners visit them, and not let their puppy leave as the result of a rushed decision.

A good breeder will not let a puppy go until at least 8 weeks of age, after the first round of vaccinations and worming treatments. They should be able to provide you with a schedule of future health activities you need to undertake, plus written information on diet and care for your puppy. Desexing (‘spaying’ or ‘neutering’) is also likely to be a discussion point and may have already been taken care of for you. Responsible breeders don’t want to encourage future breeding of inexperienced owners.

Most good breeders, if not all, will be able to provide some sort of guarantee as to the health of the puppy. Responsible breeders will also be willing to take the dog back if you are unhappy, or unable to care for it. If convenient you should be able to get the puppy checked out by your preferred veterinarian just to make sure there are no hidden surprises.

Finally

Congratulate yourself for taking the time and effort to find a responsible breeder! Enjoy your new family member and the years of good times ahead you will have with your Siberian Husky. Be sure to join a local club and also get into training and grooming habits early, because Huskies grow up very quickly!

Siberian Huskies are surprisingly good at taking care of themselves, licking themselves clean much like cats. However they do need particular attention paid to the coat when they molt, plus a regular grooming session once a week can help keep your Husky puppy looking fabulous. And who doesn’t want a fabulous-looking Husky?

Grooming For Young Husky Puppies

It is really important to start grooming Siberian Huskies early in the puppy stage. Their coats develop within weeks of birth. Also in the first 12 weeks of their life, they are most accommodating in learning new behaviors and routines that will last a lifetime. However if you have adopted a dog that has grown out of its younger puppy stage, it is never too late to start!

How often should you groom your Husky?

Once a week, for the life of the dog, you should do some basic grooming. It is important to stand the dog up to get it used to be groomed in this fashion. A standing dog makes it much easier for you to get through your grooming tasks efficiently and effectively.

A weekly brush of the coat will help keep it neat and tidy and dislodge any loose hairs or dirt that might be stuck in there. Brushing also helps avoid matting. Matting is likely to occur if you don’t brush your dog, and he or she likes getting wet in the rain, snow, and ice. You can find more tips about brushing, as well as our favorite tools we use right here – “The Best brush for Huskies“

Molting

The molting (hair shedding) process usually happens once a year as the weather starts to warm up in spring and summer. Some dogs might shed twice a year, and some none at all, depending on the environment. A young Husky puppy is unlikely to fully shed in its first summer but might drop a few hairs around. When your puppy reaches 10-14 months old a major shedding will occur as the “baby” coat makes way for a thicker adult coat.

The molting process will typically start with a few sprinkles of fur dropping loose before the real action begins. A Siberian Husky will shed a lot of hair. A LOT. The bigger the Husky is, the more hair it will shed. If you have ever seen how much wool a sheared sheep gives, you are on the right track.

You will need out your Husky with some brushing. You can start with a larger, wide-toothed comb and brush out as much loose hair all over the body. Look for a comb or rake with rounded teeth (like this one  –PawsPamper Extra Wide Undercoat Rake) to avoid scratching the dog’s skin. You can use a fine-toothed comb for the head and neck areas where the fur is thinner.

Here is a video that shows just how much effort is needed to keep your Siberian Husky looking good, and how much hair can be shed in just one grooming session:

Washing

Most owners will only give their dog a bath once a year, after shedding. You could get your dog professionally washed, or you could take your dog down to a local hydro-bath to do it yourself.

If you have the space you can do it at home – just make sure you use a shampoo formulated for pets and follow the directions on the bottle. After washing you may towel-dry your Husky and, if you feel it is necessary, a light blow dry with a hairdryer at its weakest heat setting.

After the dog tries this is a great time to apply any flea, tick, and other parasite controls that dogs in your area require.

Other Grooming Activities: Eyes, Ears, and Nails

For the eyes simply grab a damp cloth to wipe the area clean of excretions, dirt, etc.

For the ears check once a month for signs of infection, mites, or other parasites. Any redness, discharge, or unusual odor will require a visit to the vet to check it out. There are also ear-cleaning lotions available that you can apply yourself if you want your Husky to look its best.

Nail clipping needs only be done from time to time. Once a month have a look and see if the nails need a trim. It really depends on the environment your dog is into whether nails are under control or not. Like all grooming, the earlier you start the better. You can start clipping the nails of a puppy at just 4 weeks old to help it get used to the sensation of the clippers.

Things To Avoid 

•   Over-washing your Siberian Husky is a no-no. Oils secreted by the skin help protect the dog. Bathing will wash those oils away. A bath just once or twice a year is fine, or of course if your dog finds its way into something really messy and needs a helping hand.
• Shaving the coat of your Husky is also to be avoided. The outer coat helps repel water, whilst the inner softer coat insulates the dog from both the heat and the cold. Let the coat do its job and you will have a happy Husky.

Finally, like all pets, clipping whiskers is not necessary. The dog doesn’t like it.

Your lovely young cute Siberian Husky puppy is going to molt. You can not avoid it, so get used to it! Importantly, start with some basic grooming as early as possible so that your puppy gets used to being handled. You might have to brush and vacuum up the hair left behind, but think of it this way: at the end of the molting process you are going to have a dog with a lovely coat to protect him or her for months!

Are you are looking for a totally unique gift that will surprise your family, bring everyone together, and make this the best Christmas ever? A Siberian Husky puppy will sure do that! But before you rush out to the pet store let’s look over all the things you need to know, how to approach the purchase, and how you might do things a better way to make life easier for you, your family, and of course your future four-legged friend.

Why a Husky Puppy for Christmas can be a good thing

Before we dwell on the negatives, let’s consider the positives of bringing an animal in to your life around the holiday season.

First, a pet can greatly enrich you and your family’s life. Whether you are living alone, with a partner, perhaps have kids as well, a dog can give you all unconditional love for many years ahead. If you have had a particularly difficult year the introduction of a new family member might be the change you need to focus on the positives of life and enjoy the simple pleasures of companionship.

The exercise requirements of a dog (and especially Huskies) might be the kick-start you need to implement a better health regime. A pet for Christmas can reward your children for maturing and showing compassion, empathy, and responsibility throughout the year.

These are all great reasons to justify a puppy for Christmas. Before we start looking let’s just be sure you know what you are getting in to…

Why a Husky for Christmas might be a bad idea

There are many articles on the internet, particularly from animal welfare organizations, that will tell you that giving a pet for Christmas, or as a gift at any time of the year, is a bad idea. They are right: over 20% of abandoned or relinquished animals into shelters were given as gifts. Dogs need a lot of attention: feeding, training, exercise, and play. They are not a toy that can be put back in the cupboard for later. Every day they need to be tended to and this continues for many years to come. In the weeks and months after Christmas, many dogs are given up because the impulse purchase and excitement in December have worn off in January.

Siberian Huskies are particularly challenging, especially for those new to the breed. They need more exercise than most other dogs. Their temperament means they can get bored easily. Like most dogs, they grow large fast, and that puppy will quickly become an adult-sized dog. We suggest you check out our articles on the Siberian Husky breed, grooming, training, and health issues to make sure you know what you are getting in to. Even simple family activities such as a vacation or weekend away will require you to either transport your animal or look for carers while you are away.

Introducing a puppy to the family during the holiday season is particularly challenging. You might not be at home at regular times, and at others, you might have many visitors around interrupting family routines. You could be stressed and tired as well. Puppies need a stable environment and constant attention. They might need a dozen small feeds each day, and another dozen toilet training drills. Do you have that much free time and patience at this time of year?

Finally, let’s debunk the myth that introducing a pet to your children will help them become more responsible. The fact is that a pet should be a reward for showing responsibility during the year. Rarely the introduction of an animal changes the behavior of a child to become more responsible. If your kids are not able to clean up their toys, or their mess at the dinner table, will they suddenly start cleaning up after your dog? Probably not.

We aren’t suggesting here that a Siberian Husky is a bad idea. What we are asking is that you carefully consider the timing of a puppy purchase and maybe consider an alternative approach.

A better approach to giving the family a puppy for Christmas

Want to make the introduction of a puppy easier for you and your family? Here are our tips for making life easier, and who wouldn’t want that at Christmas time?

Timing

Trying to make a puppy a surprise on Christmas morning is going to be difficult. From the moment you pick up the puppy you are going to have to:

• get it home,
• feed it,
• start training,
• exercise it,
• potty train it,
• clean up after it,
• get it checked out by your vet,
• get it registered with the local authorities,
• …and the responsibilities continue.

Do you really need that overhead just before Christmas?

Furthermore, if you really want a Siberian Husky puppy there might not be any available, at least from responsible breeders. Mommy Huskies are not machines that pop out babies on demand! Responsible breeders will only breed every second year, or much less. Responsible breeders also breed when the mother and father are ready, and not to meet seasonal demand.

Conversely, bad breeders, also known as backyard breeders or puppy farms, will purposefully time the birth of puppies to coincide with the lead up to Christmas. They capitalize on the emotion of the season, breeding to maximize monetary returns and not the love of the animal. If you start seeing puppies in pet shops, or ads in the paper for popular breeds such as Siberian Huskies, there is a good chance there is an unscrupulous breeder behind the scheme. Do you really want to encourage this kind of behavior?

Instead, you should consider acquiring a Siberian Husky at another time of the year. At least a few weeks after Christmas when the joy of gift unwrapping has worn off, family routines are back to normal, and you can discuss how you will introduce a puppy into your family. Start talking to breeders. Use our Breeder Directory to help find one in your area. Talk to them, visit them, find out when they will next breed and release puppies. We have some specific guidance in approaching a breeder.

A teaser present

If you are not going to unwrap a puppy on Christmas day, provide a teaser or proxy in its place. A Kong Toy, a Huskies for Dummies Book, a natural dog food, and a leash for puppies, or a dog crate all these recommended items make for intrigue and interest on Christmas morning! If the excitement in the family lasts into the New Year that’s a good sign that the puppy wasn’t just a passing fancy.

Adopt, don’t shop

Millions of pets are abandoned each year in the USA alone. Try contacting your local animal shelter in the weeks after Christmas and let them know what you are looking for. The popularity of Siberian Huskies (and the demands they place on unsuspecting owners) means they turn up in pounds especially after the holiday season. Local Husky rescue organizations are always looking for new homes. Our rescue organization directory is growing to help you find a Husky in need near you!

Old dogs are not bad dogs

Yeah we know – a Siberian Husky puppy is just sooooo cute! But will you consider an adult dog instead? First, they are likely to be trained to some extent and socialized. Potty training a Husky puppy can take weeks and require attention many times a day. Are you up for the challenge? Plus an older dog might be more moderate in behavior, better socialized, and less anxious. This can make training easier especially if you have not got experience in training Huskies.

You might also not be sure about making such a long commitment to raising a puppy and owning it for many years. Perhaps you want to try out a Husky for a shorter period of time to see how you go? An adult dog is a great way to introduce yourself to the breed.

So you still want a dog for Christmas day. How do you make it happen?

Start Early

Start looking NOW! As in from October onwards. Use our breeder directory to find someone local to you who you can talk to and visit. At this time a breeder will know if a female Husky is going to give birth leading up to Christmas and you can start expressing an interest in puppies. If you leave it late you might be forced to buy from a pet shop or puppy farm, which we strongly recommend you avoid! If you find yourself in mid-December and have not got a puppy organized you have left it too late, unless….

… adopt or rescue

Pounds, animal shelters, and specialist Husky Rescue organizations are always looking for loving homes. Christmas is a great time to help out animals that would otherwise be left alone while the rest of us are home with family. Local rescue shelters might also let you take a dog home on a temporary basis to see how things work out. Many shelters actually require this before adoption.

Whilst the idea of handing back a ‘Christmas Present’ dog might seem an awful tease, it’s in the animal’s best interest. Plus it is a good test to see if your family can rally together to look after a potential new family member. If things work out well you can ask to adopt the animal outright.

Even if the intention all along was to simply foster a dog for a few weeks over the holidays, and hand back later, this gives your family a taste of what to come. You will also learn about the Husky breed and be in a better position to consider what you are looking for in a puppy. You can see how well your regular routines change, especially with respect to exercise.

Work out logistics

Are you going to surprise the family with a dog on Christmas day? It’s going to be hard to keep a puppy under wraps for the days and weeks leading up to Christmas. Do you have someone else who can help you out? This can be a double-edged sword: you might surprise the family, but that bonding between puppy and owner is going to be weaker if somebody else does it for you. Huskies are looking for a pack leader: how are you going to provide that model if you aren’t there to train and command him or her?

And don’t even think about hiding the puppy in the garage or back shed! Even small puppies need attention and exercise. Confining a puppy in a closed indoor environment is not a healthy way to start the puppy’s new life with your family. Suspicions also will arouse when your puppy is out back howling out of loneliness!

Food

Be sure to have appropriate food for the holidays. Human food from the table is definitely out, as are many other foodstuffs that are toxic to Siberian Huskies. With the rush of the holidays, you want to be organized in advance. Your breeder will recommend a menu to follow. Make sure you have enough food to get you through the days when shops (or online deliveries) are closed around Christmas and New Year. If you are curious about what would be the best food for your future Siberian Husky, you can find some information here – The Best dog food for Huskies

Bed, crate, and toys

Your Husky puppy will need a bed of course, in a not-so-cold environment. A crate for training is a good investment. Some toys for mental stimulation will be needed, plus you can wrap more up under the Christmas tree. You will need a leash so you can take your Husky outdoors and walk him/her.

These initial investments need not be expensive and you might find bargains at your local thrift store or simply buy it at Amazon.

Training

Puppies need training from birth to help them socialize and behave better. We recommend starting with Doggy Dan Training course which is very comprehensive, affordable, and most importantly it gets results.

And a few more things…

Registration or licensing with your local council, a vet check-up, and immunizations are all essential for young Husky puppies and should not be forgotten about.

Conclusion

If you are new to Huskies we recommend delaying the purchase or adoption of a puppy until after the Christmas season. However, don’t let that stop you from buying a present or two to put under the tree as a sign that you are committed to the idea.

If you really must have a Husky around Christmas you need to get organized early. Puppies are allocated from breeders around their birth so you don’t want to miss out. Try and avoid pet stores or opportunistic breeders who might be looking for a quick buck, and not operating in the animal’s best interest.

Also, consider fostering an animal in December to see how your family goes with it. Think of it as a trial run and should it work out, you can consider adopting the foster pet, or at least know more about the breed before you commit to raising a puppy.

Like all dogs, looking after a Siberian Husky is a rich and wonderful experience. Long after the toys are unwrapped, played with, and forgotten about, a dog will continue to be a part of your life. Take your time in working out what you want, and how to make it happen. It will make a big difference in the months and years ahead.

Marry Christmas!

Although pet insurance might sound like an unfamiliar concept to you, it’s getting popular with every passing year. For example, the number of people that bought pet insurance in the UK increased from 2.8 to 3.8 million from 2013-2017, with about 2.1 million GBP being paid daily in insurance claims.

Rising vet bills in recent years have given popularity to insuring your pet. But before you jump in, there are some things you need to know to answer the main question: “Is insuring your husky puppy really worth it?”

Pet insurance basics

When shopping around for pet insurance you will come across some terms which are key to understanding and comparing insurance options:

• Recurring cost – which is your cost-per-month for insurance. Most insurers will offer a yearly payment option that offers a discount over the monthly rate.
• Deductible – known as the excess in some countries, this is the minimum amount in dollars that you contribute to a claim. If your deductible is $500 then you must pay the first $500 of a claim, regardless of whether your claim is for $550 or $5000, and regardless of the reimbursement rate.
• Reimbursement – this is usually presented as a percentage such as 80% and represents how much of the total bill you will get back from the insurer. So if the reimbursement is 80%, and the cost of treatment is $10,000, you will get a check from your insurer for $8000 if the claim was approved. Note that there might be different rates for different treatments so be careful.
• Maximum claim – You might be limited to a maximum amount (in dollars) claimable in the pet’s life, in a year, or even for a single accident or illness. You should look through the insurance policy fine print to find this information because it might not be presented upfront when shopping.
• Exclusions – Again you need to look at the fine print. These are the services or treatments not covered by insurance. Hereditary conditions are commonly excluded.

Pet insurance price differences

Many factors influence price differences between insurers. These include:

• Differences in deductible and reimbursement rates. Often you can tweak these numbers to lower your monthly insurance cost, such as raising the deductible.
• What services, treatments, and products are excluded.
• The breed and age of the dog: older dogs tend to cost more for insurance, and some breeds are more prone to injury or health issues than others.
• Your location.
• The insurer itself: their reputation, their costs, who underwrite them, and many other factors that you have no control over. Simply put: some insurers cost more than others, even for the same policy.

Unfortunately, when comparing pet insurance it is very difficult to compare options. It might help to draw up a chart (or use a spreadsheet) when comparing potential insurers, taking note of what each policy is offering. If you can reduce the policy features to just the ones you are interested in it will make it easier to narrow the choice down.

What to look out for when choosing pet insurance?

If you buy pet insurance, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee. But in case your Husky gets sick, the insurance company will pay for its treatment according to its terms and conditions. But we wish it would be as simple as it sounds. 

Pet insurance Exclusions are probably should be your biggest concern, and this information is likely to be in very fine print and not well advertised. Some typical exclusions include:

• Certain tests or diagnostics are not included.
• Pre-existing health conditions that the animal had prior to taking out insurance, whether or not you knew of those conditions.
• Hereditary issues with the breed. Common health problems with huskies such as hip dysplasia and eye issues may not be covered.
• Dental work may be totally excluded.
• Different treatments may have different rates of reimbursement, and even different deductibles.
• After-hours and weekend emergency care may be excluded.
• Choice of vet might also be an issue.
• The amount paid for specific treatments. Some policies have a schedule of treatments and payout amounts, which might be substantially less than what your local and trusted vet might charge you.

Furthermore, when making a claim on pet insurance, almost all insurers will require you to pay your vet first, and you claim the money back from the insurer. It is of little use to take out an insurance policy if you can’t obtain funds in a hurry to pay a bill. It may take a number of weeks for your insurer to accept your claim.

With so many variances between insurance policies, how can you expect to make the best decision?

How to choose the right pet insurer?

As with any insurer, the primary consideration is will they pay out if I make a claim?

You can and should talk to other Siberian Husky owners in your local club, or talk to your vet, or even dog-owning friends and relatives, to find out if they have made a claim and how easy or difficult it was. Search the internet for reviews of insurance policies – just be aware that you tend to only read about the horror stories, not the many thousands of successful claims that happen each year.

Price is also a factor to consider and balance off between the deductible and reimbursement rates. What price you are comfortable with depends on your own personal financial situation.

However, if you have 5 policies in front of you and 1 is abnormally cheaper than the others, you might want to try and figure out why. It could be some key features are missing. Similarly, if a policy is unusually expensive it could be there are features you may never need such as pregnancy care for a female pet.

Alternatives to pet insurance

If insurance seems expensive, and it can be especially if you have multiple pets, there are some alternatives you might want to consider:

Savings Fund

For some, the cost of pet insurance is too much, and they prefer to keep a savings fund for that ‘rainy day’. This can often work out cheaper than insurance. If your husky is kept in a secure yard all day, and when out is restrained and not let off-leash, then the chances of him or her being involved in an accident are quite low.

Furthermore, if you did your homework when selecting your puppy from a reputable breeder, who gave assurances as to the health of the animal, there is a good chance you will never incur any significant vet bill for the life of the dog.

There are two big problems with savings accounts that you need to be aware of:

1. It starts at $0. If your pet develops a problem early in life then the savings account is unlikely to cover all the bills. A pet insurance policy is likely to have a very short or no waiting period.
2. You have to be disciplined to keep topping it up, each and every week. If you forget, or can’t afford to keep depositing, then the fund may not be there when you most need it.

If you are already a disciplined saver then this option might work out for you.

Other fund types

There are lower insurance levels that cover injuries but not conditions, however as we just mentioned the chance of injury might be very low for your husky. Sometimes these policies are offered almost like a guilt trap if you can’t afford the full-priced policy, and offer little benefit to your dog.

Cheaper services

There might be lower-cost vet clinics in your area, possibly not-for-profit and/or tied to rescue organizations. Universities can also be looked into – some offer services cheaper in return for providing training for students (under supervision of course!).

Euthanasia

It might not be a popular option but it is one we need to mention. For some it might just make more sense to put your pet down instead of paying expensive vet bills, only to have the animal continue to live in discomfort.

Conclusion

Pet insurance is a booming industry – and is it any wonder with vet bills running into $100s or $1000s for a single incident? When shopping around take note of the deductible, the reimbursement, and especially the exclusions in the fine print that will affect your claim. So is it worth purchasing pet insurance for a husky puppy?

• If you can afford the monthly fees and have spare cash to pay the vet bills right away, and your husky might have some health issues, AND your insurer will pay out for these issues, then YES! Insurance could save you money.
• In all other cases, we suggest NO! You are better off saving money and accepting the risk. The general health of the Siberian Husky population is getting very good and if you take care of your pet, there is no reason he or she can’t live a long and happy life. You can always take out insurance later in life if your husky seems accident-prone, and spend the first few months saving for a rainy day.

Siberian Husky puppies desire a lot of attention to prevent boredom. Exercising them is a great way to help them stay entertained, not to mention grow up healthy, but how much exercise should they get? Here are our top five tips on exercising your Husky puppy.

1. Exercise every day

It is really important that Huskies, particularly younger ones, exercise every day. This is a form of training where you teach your puppy healthy habits, discipline, and encourage socialization. Doing it every day keeps the routine up: if you miss a day you will ‘feel’ it and not lapse into more than a day of inactivity. Your puppy will love you for it as well. Exercise helps build their strength and endurance – characteristics that Siberian Huskies are bred for.

2. Go slow for the first year

Your Husky grows rapidly during its first few months, reaching adult size after about a year. The joints, ligaments, and muscle mass of your puppy need time to develop, so don’t overdo it early on. If you push too hard, especially with repetitive-motion activities such as walking and running, you might put too much stress on the puppy’s ligaments which can lead to soreness, tiredness, and inflammation.

3. The 5-minute-month rule for walking

Walking is a great exercise activity: it is free, easy, and good for both your puppy and yourself! We recommend the ‘5-minute-month’ rule:

Walk your puppy each day, increasing 5 minutes each month.

For example, if your puppy is three months old, walk him or her for up to 15 minutes every day. If your puppy is six months old, walk up to 30 minutes every day. If you follow this simple formula you will build up the necessary walking exercise gradually and in sync with your puppy’s natural growth over the first year.

After your puppy reaches his or her first birthday, you will be up to an hour of walking each day and can stay at this level. You might also graduate to jogging or running, or go for longer sessions, but only if your dog is used to walking and ready for the extra effort.

4. Any time is playtime

15 minutes for a puppy does not sound like much, and it isn’t. However, you can take on other exercises in the form of playing games. Simply ‘playing ball’ with your puppy will mix up the physical movements: starting, sprinting, slowing, stopping, turning, etc. You can easily squeeze a few minutes in here and there of play to fill out the day and tackle boredom. Check out my Five Play Time Ideas for Husky puppies, to help fight the boredom of your dog. 

5. Stay cool

You know already that all dogs need clean drinking water available at all times to stay hydrated. The coat of the Siberian Husky might be dense but this also acts as an insulator in warmer weather, helping to regulate body temperature. So although the Husky might have originated in arctic climates, they should do fine in warm weather. Just make sure water is on hand, and if your Husky shows any signs of tiredness, take it easy. If you live in a hot environment you might want to consider walking your puppy in the morning before the heat builds up, and makes everyone just want to laze back and go to sleep.

If you start slow and build up exercise over the first year of life, mix in lots of play, and remember to keep your puppy hydrated, you will give your puppy a great start to a long healthy life. Just as important, you will get some exercise out of the deal as well!