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How long do Huskies live?

First of all, it is important to understand that there are average indicators of the life expectancy of the Siberian Husky breed, determined by dog breeders, veterinarians, and dog handlers. 

Huskies typically live from 12 to 16 years of age. Due to successful selection, Siberian Huskies remains one of the healthiest dog breeds, which has a serious advantage such as the absence of a pronounced tendency to genetic diseases, which positively affects their lifespan. 

Of course, these facts remain relevant only if the dog is kept in optimal conditions, the owner paid sufficient attention, and also provides his four-legged friend with proper nutrition. Cases have been recorded when these dogs, under favorable conditions, lived up to 20 years. 

It should be noted that husky dogs differ from many other dog breeds and known for their high level of activity. These pets are strong, playful, and have good stamina. Such characteristics are assigned to the dog from puppyhood to old age, which also determines its lifespan.

 However, some common husky health problems do randomly occur and every husky owner should take this into consideration if they want a long and fulfilling life for their beloved dog.  

How to Determine a Husky Age and Why is That Important?

A lot of husky owners who get their dog from the shelters, animal rescue organizations, or simply picked up an adult animal on the street, have one question in common: ”What is the age of my dog?”. This information could be very useful if you try to prolong your husky lifetime. 

For example, the chances of cancer in dogs—that’s responsible for about 47% of dog deaths—increases manifold after dogs hit the 10-years benchmark. 

Knowing the age of your Siberian Husky is extremely important, as it can give you a heads up about what to expect in terms of your dog’s health and how to take better care of them.

Feed ration, amount of exercise, frequency of vet visits: all these factors should be adjusted according to the dog’s age in order to provide a happy and long life for your pooch.

There are several methods to determine the age of your husky:

1. Teeth condition (direct way)

                  (for more accurate results, consult with your vet)

2. Eyes and fur condition (indirect way)

You can also guess the age of a dog by noticing its eyes. Older dogs often have cloudier eyes as their lens hardens. At times, you’ll also notice some signs like the “greying” of your Husky’s fur as it ages. However, that’s not all that common. Not to mention, older dogs also tend to get less active.

As you can imagine, these methods can not tell you with certainty about how long your Siberian Husky has lived. In fact, it involves significant guesswork, and it works best if used by professionals. So, if you’re ever confused about the age of your Husky, feel free to hit up your local veterinarian.

Factors and Main Causes of the Premature Death?

The premature death of a husky can be caused by a number of reasons:

1. Genetic health problems and other diseases

Huskies are prone to some genetic defects such as hip dysplasia, blindness, and other eye issues.

Hip Dysplasia. In this painful disease, the bones in the hip joint don’t sit well in the socket. This causes the bones to collide and rub against each other. As you can imagine, this can be quite painful.

Hip Dysplasia is a polygenic disease that’s affected by environmental factors. What’s more, a Husky puppy that’s fed a high-caloric diet would have a faster onset of Hip Dysplasia, in case it contains the genes for it. So, try to feed a minimal diet to your dog.

Eye Diseases. Although eye diseases aren’t necessarily life-threatening, for a working dog like the Husky, eyesight is vital. However, eyes seem to be the weak-spot for Huskies as they’re prone to several eye-related problems, including PRA, hereditary or juvenile cataracts, and corneal dystrophy. If you notice any sort of opacity in your husky’s eyes, then you need to visit the vet as soon as possible.

Other health issues such as myelopathy, epilepsy, diseases of the genitourinary system. Although most of them will not end a dog’s life, they may put you in a difficult position.

For example, degenerative myelopathy leads to paralysis of the limbs over time, or epilepsy attacks, which, having begun at the age of 7 months to 3 years, progress over time and become more frequent and prolonged. There is no cure for these ailments, and therefore, when they reach the extreme stage, sometimes difficult decisions need to be made in your Husky’s interests. 

Putting your dog to sleep (euthanizing it) is something you should be prepared for in advance. That doesn’t make it any easier, but at least you might have an idea of when to say goodbye. A dog in pain from health issues (such as dysplasia), or having trouble with organs functioning the way it should, might warrant a peaceful end to a happy life.

Do you really want your last memories to be of your family pet in agony? Your vet can recommend a course of action in advance so that decisions can be made before emotions run high. In any case, it should be a well-considered decision, and only you as a husky owner can feel what is right to do.

2. Accidents

Here’s a fact: Huskies LOVE to run. If you give them a chance, they will run off into the wide open and won’t look back until they’re tired. Unfortunately, many dog owners have lost their Huskies in road accidents in similar situations.

You need to carefully monitor the pet, engage in its training, and if he is left alone for the whole day, it is necessary to provide him with a sufficient number of safe treats and dog toys. 

Sometimes being alone for the whole day, the husky could spoil things out of boredom and happens to swallow different pieces that can fit in his mouth. This does not always lead to serious consequences, but sometimes these “pranks” end up with blockage of the stomach or intestines. That is why it is so important to reduce the likelihood of an accident that happens, especially when you are not around.

 And everything that can be dangerous for a husky or be swallowed by him, if possible, should be removed to a place inaccessible to the dog. 

How to Extend the Lifespan of a Husky?

We’ve discussed how long Huskies live and have covered all the health concerns and other factors that might cut your Siberian’s life short. But in this section, we’ll be teaching you about the measures you can take to increase the lifespan of your husky.

1. Proper nutrition and vitamins

It does not matter if you decide to feed your husky raw food or kibble, wet or dry, home-cooked or canned, but it is very important to include in the dog’s regular diet all essential nutrients, such as water, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. 

Also, vitamins and minerals must be periodically added to their food. Feed your husky only with food not lower than the premium class, suitable by age, size, and physical activity. You might want to read my entire husky feeding guide to make sure your puppy has a perfectly balanced diet.

2. Keep its body weight in check

According to research published in The Veterinary Journal, overweight dogs tend to have shorter lives. In 2019, 31 out of 100 dogs that were admitted to the Banfield Hospitals were obese. That should give you an idea of how prevalent obesity is in dogs. But obesity in active and working dogs like Huskies is a big concern.

The size that your husky grows will indirectly affect its longevity. Obviously, an overweight dog is simply not going to have the stamina, muscle mass, and immune system to last through old age for very long. As with any breed, there will be genetic variations in size. 

Do larger dogs die sooner? Maybe, but the research can not explain exactly why. In any event, the Husky breed, with the exception of a miniature variant being bred, has a largely consistent adult size and small variations are unlikely to lengthen or shorten the lifespan significantly.

So, you’d want to keep your lovely Husky’s body weight in control. Bear in mind that the average weight of female Huskies ranges from 35 to 50 pounds (16 to 23kg) while that of a male is 45 to 60 pounds (20-27 kg). Anything within this range should be okay for a grown-up dog, but if you still raising a puppy, you can check the husky weight chart.

3. Regular exercises and playtime

These dogs are not created to watch TV on the couch with the owner; they were bred to run and pull, and play, and run again :)

The Siberian Husky Club of America (SHCA) recommends not to buy a Husky if you work all day and can accommodate only 1 dog. The reason is  – Huskies thrive on physical attachment and bonding. They’d want to spend time with you or with other dogs. So, make sure to interact with your pooch and keep it busy with a lot of exercises and playtime, as they like an active lifestyle.

It is important not only to walk around but also to run and play with your husky, who will only be happy with such excessive activity. Climbing and descending, overcoming obstacles at speed, pulling activities, winter racing  – all this will help Siberian husky to live as long as possible and will be beneficial in any way. Only in this way will huskies be healthy both physically and psychologically. Check our top 5 tips for exercising your husky puppy, as well as the best playtime ideas for husky.

• Expose it to outdoors

Keep in mind that huskies were bred as working dogs and they love to be outside of the house. Living conditions similar to those that Siberian huskies have been accustomed to for centuries might extend these dogs’ lives.

Based on this, it was possible to find out, that keeping the dog outside might be more beneficial than for his brothers who live in the apartment. If for representatives of many other breeds, life outside or in an aviary in a private house can negatively affect their health, for husky, on the contrary, this is the best of the possible conditions of living. 

Clean air, the ability to move as much as the dog’s wishes and the natural change in the weather has a beneficial effect on their well-being. 

But no worries, your husky can live a happy long life even in the apartment. Of course, if you would take good care of it and follow simple rules. 

4. Training

Huskies are mischievous dogs with indefatigable curiosity. These traits can lead your dog to some undesirable consequences.

Husky chasing the cat (any small animal) and hit by a car – is a common reason for huskies’ premature death. Of course, locking a pet to protect him from an accident is not the right solution for a problem.

It is better to give the dog the necessary physical activity and at the same time carefully train it to avoid accidents. Training is important for a dog’s mental stimulation as well.

“Obedience training  – is the key to your pet’s safety”

Make sure that your husky is trained well and supervised at all times. It would be better to get some certified dog training courses with positive reinforcement techniques. But if you running out of time and money to invest in live training dog courses, it is better to get online training, where you can pay around 30-80$ for training videos.

I use Doggy Dan’s online courses and found them very effective and easy to implement. He recently overhauled his content and added training materials available for dog owners with hearing impairments.

5. Regular Vet Checkups and Vaccinations

Make sure you’re taking your hound to the vet at least once every year for a routine checkup. This is extremely important for all types of dogs, regardless of whether they’re sick or not.  Also, make sure your husky has all the required vaccinations. This way, you can avoid a lot of diseases and stop them right in their tracks. 

I know… vet fee is a big headache for dog owners. And the prospect of having to pay thousands of dollars in case your Husky gets sick is daunting, to say the least. In this case, you might want to get pet insurance. 

Related Article: Is Pet Insurance Worth It For A Puppy?

6. Have your husky spayed or neutered

Research conducted by the University of Georgia suggests that spayed or neutered dogs, on average, live 1.5 years longer than their counterparts who did not undergo this operation. 

The reason, however, isn’t that clear. But if you are not planning to receive offspring from your dog and at the same time wants to extend his life, then you might want to consider spaying or neutering it. The procedure prevents inflammatory processes and tumor diseases of the genitals as well.

 If you want to know the cost and when is the best time to do so, I got you covered here – “When to neuter or spay your husky puppy?”

7. Grooming and Hygiene care

It’s quite important to groom your Husky properly to maintain its health and increase its lifespan. Caring for huskies is easy. It is enough to brush your husky’s magnificent coat a couple of times a week and bathe 2-3 times a year. More frequent brushing is required during the shedding season.

Cleaning your dog’s ears, wiping its eyes should be included in your routine list. Also, we recommend regularly brush your dog’s teeth or at least use teeth-cleaning toys. We prefer to use these natural dental treats found on Amazon, which are recommended by veterinarians and accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. 

 We have a lot of information in our grooming section, where we give tips and guidelines on how to properly groom and take care of your husky.

8. Buy only from Certified Ethical Breeders

We can not say that this can help you increase the lifespan of your Husky with 100% certainty, but it surely will allow you to get a husky puppy that has a better chance of living a long and healthy life.

Not everyone can breed a dog. Breeders not only have to choose dog parents that have favorable traits, but also have to eliminate genetic health conditions from the gene pool. The wrong dam and sire pair could allow a genetic health problem to pass onto its offspring. 

 If you ever decide to buy a husky puppy, then you should avoid pet markets and know how to identify a husky puppy mill and buy only from a reputable ethical breeder. 

The SHCA has a list of certified breeders that you can purchase high-quality litter. Also, you can check our Breeder Directory categorized by US states to find a reputable husky breeder near you. 

How Old is Your Dog in Human Years?

If you’ve been a dog owner, you’ve probably heard the folklore that each dog year equals 7 human years. Well, we wish it were that simple. In fact, this belief is not backed by any scientific reasoning whatsoever.

So, how can you compare your husky’s age to a human’s?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association studies, the first year of a medium-sized dog (like a Husky) equals 15 human years. Furthermore, the second Husky year is the equivalent of 9 human years, while all the coming years range anywhere from 4-6 human years.

By that logic, a 3-year-old Siberian Husky is already about 30 human years old! The reason a single dog year isn’t merely equal to 7 in human terms, is that dogs grow exponentially in the first couple of years. This growth is not just in terms of size but in terms of metabolism and immune system as well.

How to Care for an Old Husky?

It’s important to make your dog feel loved and belonged as it grows. However, don’t expect your mutt to be as fast and athletic as it used to be.

In this case, it is necessary to provide the pet with proper care:

• do not physically overload;
• veterinarian examinations every two months, even if the dog is relatively healthy;
• give vitamins and minerals (on the recommendation of a veterinarian);
• do not overfeed.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. The average Siberian Husky lifespan is satisfactory and with proper care, husky dogs can live even more than 15 years. 

From a healthy happy puppy right through many fantastic years till the end is reached, you can have a loving relationship with your Siberian Husky. Although some genetic factors affecting lifespan are out of your control, things such as feeding them good quality food, providing enough exercise, and getting regular vet checkups are totally in your control! So do the right things and you can give your Husky a long and satisfying life.

Siberian Huskies are robust dogs and can be expected to live for 12 to 14 years. However, their lifespan may be cut short due to several health problems that we’ll discuss in this section. Some of them are older Husky problems, while many others develop early on.

Hip dysplasia and a number of eye issues are the main ones to look out for when selecting a husky puppy.

Here is a summary of these problems and what you can do to help select a healthy puppy.

Hip Dysplasia in Huskies

Hip Dysplasia is relatively common in larger dog breeds. It is a genetic fault resulting in an abnormal formation of the hip socket. The head (top) of the thigh bone does not fit snugly into the pelvic joint socket, causing pain and arthritis. The effects can be anywhere from mild to debilitating for the animal. Hip dysplasia affects both male and female huskies and can affect either or both hip joints.

Hip dysplasia develops over the husky’s early life, and by 18 months is usually present if it were to occur. Identification in young puppies is not possible, but because it is a genetic defect you can minimize the chances of acquiring a puppy prone to dysplasia.

The good news is that through careful breeding the complaint has had a marked reduction over the past decade and is not the widespread problem it once was.

The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals has a registry with a free search facility on its home page. You can look up information on a dog you are potentially acquiring to see if it might be prone to dysplasia.

A dog that has acquired hip dysplasia will need to be carefully managed via weight control (keeping the dog from growing overweight) and exercise control (not too strenuous to cause discomfort or inflammation). There is medical treatment available, and even surgery, which has good success rates but the costs can be high.

Eye Issues

There are a number of eye issues affecting Siberian Huskies.

• Hereditary cataracts (also known as juvenile cataracts) affect puppies as young as three months old and cause anything from a mild decrease in vision to complete blindness.
• Corneal Dystrophy starts to affect young adult dogs and affects female dogs more than males.
• Progressive retinal atrophy is another problem that initially decreases the effectiveness of night vision, followed by day vision and blindness ensues.

Detection is not possible for newborn puppies. Eye issues affect a small percentage of huskies (less than 10%) and you can minimize the chance of acquiring a puppy with eye issues by talking to the breeder before adoption.

Related: How to Choose a Husky Puppy From the Litter?

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism in dogs is an autoimmune, genetic disease that reduces the thyroid function in the body. If you’re not aware of that, the thyroid gland regulates the body’s metabolism. So, messing it up can lead to lots of problems.

Dogs that suffer from hypothyroidism show hair loss, dullness in their coat, lethargy, and weight gain. For a Husky that’s supposed to have a beautiful coat with a dynamic personality, Hypothyroidism would be the worst-case possible.

What You Can Do to Avoid Health Problems?

Husky puppies should be acquired from a reputable breeder – one that has a history of producing healthy animals and does not shy away from answering all of your questions. Ask about the health of the animals and what the breeder has been doing to minimize genetic defects.

A good breeder will be upfront and honest and although no breeder can say their animals are 100% perfect, they might be able to provide some sort of guarantee against certain conditions. Any breeder you deal with should be able to supply paperwork to establish the bloodline of your animal as well as genetic test results explaining potential defects present in the puppy.

If you are looking for a husky breeder check out our breeder directory to see if there is a breeder near you. There is a breeder directory for those within the USA, plus another for our international visitors.

Don’t forget the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals free search facility for animals prone to hip dysplasia, but if your animal is not listed you should get in contact with a local Siberian Husky dog club for some local advice. 

The complete guide to Siberian Huskies in apartments

Are you considering raising a Siberian Husky in an apartment, or other small dwellings such as a flat, unit, bungalow, or inner-city townhouse? Be careful because you might have problems with noise and howling, exercise requirements, or space limitations. Whilst keeping a large dog in an apartment is not easy, it is possible to achieve harmony between you and your pet. Here are some things to think about before you adopt that cute Husky puppy and bring him or her home.

Can a Husky live in an apartment?

You can raise a Siberian Husky in an apartment. Give your dog a lot of exercises, and make sure the environment inside the apartment is suitable for a medium-large sized animal.

But there are some big challenges ahead. Very big! Not many Husky owners can pull it off.
That little puppy you bring home is going to grow up pretty quickly.

Your small living environment might seem large to a 9-week old pup, but by 1 year the dog will be nearing adult size. Huskies can grow quite large, around 50 pounds and 23 inches tall. Key questions you need to ask yourself are:

• Will my Husky have enough room to stretch and walk around?
• Do I have shelving, tables, and other furniture resistant to bumps, chewing, and slobber?
• Have I got the time and patience to clean up after my Husky if he or she makes a mistake? sheds hair? picks up objects and drops them all over the floor?
• Can I isolate my Husky in a room if he or she is misbehaving, you have guests around or small children?
• Does my apartment get hot? Huskies prefer a cooler and well-ventilated environment.

Don’t kid yourself, raising a puppy in an apartment is a challenge at the best of times. Huskies have special needs that make the job even more challenging.

Alternatively, you could get a miniature Siberian husky as well. Miniature Huskies are a bit smaller, therefore it will require a bit less space and of course maintenance too. 

Dogs in rental properties

If you are renting your home then you need to check with your landlord about what pet ownership rules apply. If you own your property then you still need to check with your building manager or body corporate. Some landlords are fine with dogs as long as they know in advance, but many places prohibit dogs of a particular breed, of a large size, or all dogs regardless.

Before considering bringing home any dog to a rented home you need to check out the rules that apply to your building. You should find these in your lease agreement, and it wouldn’t hurt to ask your property manager as well.

One reason dogs (and other pets) might be prohibited is the likelihood of complaints from other tenants. Many complaints about pets in apartments boil down to two problems: noise, and property damage.

Noise

Huskies are going to howl or bark if they are bored. It isn’t much you can do about that unless you are going to be around your dog all day long then there is a pretty good chance they will make some noise when you head out the door. And because apartments tend to be in very close proximity to each other, that noise travels easily.

You will want to approach your neighbors and get their feedback before introducing a dog into your complex. Let them know that there might be noise, and invite them to talk to you directly if they have concerns. The last thing you need is a landlord, or worse the local animal police, at your door responding to complaints!

Property Damage

Damage to property is another concern to landlords. Dogs have been known to scratch on walls, bump into things, and chew on anything in reach. Again this behavior is symptomatic of boredom and it will be your responsibility to keep your husky happy, and if necessary, pay for those repair bills.

Exercising Husky in an Apartment

Huskies need a lot of exercise. In an apartment, they need even more because they can’t get up and run around easily in the limited space available. You need to be willing to exercise your Husky every day no matter what! Whether rain, hail, or shine, and whether you are tired, sick, or hungry.

This goes for whether you live in an apartment or house of course, except that the chances are your dog will need to be exercised and played with two, maybe three times every day to avoid it turning destructive. Huskies often need more than walking. They like to get up to speed and have a run.

It would be ideal if your apartment is near a large park where your Husky can move around more, chase balls, and experience nature.

Potty Training an Apartment Dog

Housebreaking is an essential training activity for your puppy. We already have some housebreaking tips for Siberian Husky Puppies that you can check out. The same principles apply: get into a routine with meals, look for repeated behavior in your pet to suggest he or she is “about to go”, and head outside if you can.

Because you are unlikely to have a yard to let the Husky out to, and it might not be convenient to head out (e.g. you live up a few floors, or it is snowing outside) you will need to make a space in the apartment where he or she can do its deed.

Out of living and eating areas is a good idea, so hopefully, you have a suitably sized bathroom or laundry where you can lay down a large litter tray. You can use “pee pads” or “puppy pads” which are flat pads, kind of like diapers, that soak up the liquid. I really like this one All-absorb Training Pads on Amazon. You also want to be sure your apartment has sufficient ventilation to keep the air cool and dry.

Many apartments have limited options for opening windows and your Husky will suffer if it is left in warm stuffy environments, not to mention the smells that will accumulate.

Can I Leave My Husky Home while at Work?

Sometimes you will need to leave your husky in the apartment while you go to work, head down to the shops, or go out with friends. Hopefully, you are working hard at training your dog, particularly trying to keep him or her out of trouble. If not, just check these general tips on how to train your husky puppy and have an idea of where to start.

That means not wrecking the house! Crate training is likely to play a big part in this as it might be your only effective solution to restraining your dog. A checklist of things to think about when leaving your dog alone is:

• Does it have clean water?
• Does it need food?
• Has it got a toy to play with? A KONG toy is popular and effective.
• Is there sufficient ventilation?
• It is not too warm, not too cold?
• What if your puppy needs to go to the toilet?
• Is he or she likely to howl, and which neighbors will be affected?

You also might want to consider starting with shorter ‘trial’ trips out of the home to see how your Husky behaves. Even as something as sneaky as head outside your door and sit in the hallway for half an hour to see what happens. Or if you need to go out for longer, get a friend or neighbor to drop in and check that everything is ok.

If you plan on leaving your husky home all day while you head out to work… well… good luck! It can be done but you will probably need a very well-trained and exercised dog. A long walk or jog in the morning, and another one when you get home, is probably what you need to give your dog to keep them stimulated.

And if you aren’t sure…

If you think you are up for bringing a Siberian Husky Puppy home to an apartment but want to make sure you can handle the responsibility, you could contact a local dog rescue organization. You might be able to foster care of a dog for a short period of time to see how you both go. If nothing else you will be doing your bit to help unwanted pets end up in the pound.

Keep these tips in mind if you live in an apartment and considering a Siberian Husky. 

It is not an impossible feat, but you want to be sure you are up for the challenge and special commitment that will be required of you. Still unsure? Check out this Q&A video from a Husky owner:

Siberian Huskies can be so small and cute as puppies, but how big does a Siberian Husky get?

The AKC Siberian Husky Standard quotes an acceptable range for an adult male to be between 21 and 23.5 inches tall (53 to 60cm) and weighing 45 to 60 pounds (20 to 27kg). Females are a little smaller, between 20 and 22 inches tall (51 to 56cm), and weight between 35 and 50 pounds (16 to 23kg).

However this is the AKC standard, and of course, dogs sometimes exceed this. Some people report Huskies growing to 100 pounds (45kg) although this would be an extreme and could suggest an overweight and under-exercised dog! If you are not sure about your husky normal weight, check the weight chart for Siberian Husky

In comparison, a male Golden Retriever is 23-24 inches tall and 65-75 pounds, and a male Labrador Retriever is 22-24 inches tall and 65-80 pounds. That is to say, the Husky is a touch shorter and lighter, but not by much.

Huskies can expect to live for 12 to 15 years, but they have reached adult height more or less by the end of their first year. From then on, they increase mass as muscle builds up around their frame. That means the little cute puppy you see at the breeder is going to grow really fast in the coming months.

Also, consider the size as it relates to grooming. Being a larger dog with a double coat, Huskies will shed a LOT of fur each year and leave it EVERYWHERE around your house and garden! Keep this in mind if considering a Husky puppy for your household and you like your place to be spotless. If you want to know, how to deal with a coat shedding of your husky, here you can find some tips –  How to deal with Coat Shedding of Siberian Husky

Miniature Huskies

Some selective breeding has developed a smaller Siberian Husky called the Alaskan Klee Kai. These range from toy size (9 pounds in weight, 13 inches tall) to miniature (10-15 pounds, 15 inches) to a standard (16-23 pounds, 17 inches). Because they are a relatively new breed from a smaller gene pool, the breed is still being developed and is relatively rare to see out and about.

They share many of the traits that full-sized Siberian Huskies exhibit: shedding, an abundance of energy, and a life span of around 14 years. Expect prices from breeders to be at a premium because of the rarity – think $1000+ for a puppy. The smaller size is likely to increase in popularity over time but it will take a number of years of experienced breeding to develop a population of healthy Klee Kais.

In addition, there is a Miniature Siberian Husky which you can read about in detail in a separate article. These are essentially a smaller Husky, sharing similar behavior and temperament to a standard husky, bit much smaller!

So there you go – Siberian Huskies will grow almost to the size of a Golden or Labrador retriever, and they will grow very fast in their first year of life. Keen to learn more about the breed? Check out our breed information articles that cover all you need to know about Huskies and their characteristics.

Want to buy a Siberian Husky puppy from a breeder and not sure where to find one? Here’s how…

Ways to find a good husky breeder near you

If you are new to the breed you will want to look for breeders close to home. You will be able to visit a few of them and pick one that you feel comfortable with. Being able to physically visit means you can quickly identify any potential puppy mills or backyard breeders. Being local means you are not pressured to make a decision on the first visit and can come back again after you have time to think about what you saw, or to visit other breeders.

1. Use breeder directories

Directories of Husky breeders are a great place to start. We have our own breeder directory or you can use the Siberian Husky Club of America’s directory here, or the American Kennel Club breeder search here. Please note that just because a breeder appears on a reputable web site, or is registered, it does not give you a guarantee that they aren’t a puppy farm. You should always do your homework – and we have some specific advice on choosing a Siberian Husky breeder.

2. Use search engines

Head over to your favorite search engine (Google, Bing, Ask, Yahoo, whatever you prefer) and use the term: husky breeders in <your state>, or husky puppies in <your state>. You can put in your state name or your 2-letter state code. Examples:

• husky breeders in California
• husky puppies in CA

You might be able to find some breeders this way, but like referral directories, a good breeder web site does not guarantee anything. You need to make contact and talk to the staff. Many breeders do not have web sites, simply because they don’t breed as a business, they do it for love. So to find these people you need to ask around…

3. Talk to local dog clubs

You can make contact with your local dog clubs, or just turn up when they meet and ask around. If there is a Siberian Husky dog club in your area that is a great place to start. Alternatively, you could expand the search a little and look for alternative but similar breeds such as Alaskan Husky or Alaskan Malamute.

If you are in a smaller town and do not have specialist dog clubs, try the general dog club and ask if they know anyone who breeds Huskies. Good dog breeders don’t work in isolation: rather they actively participate in the local community to share knowledge and news.

4. Talk to other dog owners

Your best bet is to find dog obedience or training school and have a look at who turns up. If anyone has a Husky then you can approach and find out where they got their puppy from. This is also a great way of checking out the reputation of local breeders and steering clear of any bad ones.

If walking down the street and you pass a Husky you can also ask the owner for advice. Most dog owners are more than happy to stop and talk about their dogs and share advice!

5. Ask local vets

Breeders have to get their puppies checked out by experts, and generally, have a preferred veterinarian to assist. Vets in the area might know of some breeders and can pass on contact details.

5. Check at rescue shelters

Shelters and rescue organizations sometimes need to place dogs in the temporary care and are likely to be aware of local breeders who have the facility and expertise to look after a stranded dog.

6. Ask other dog breeders

Good breeders will be happy to talk about other breeders in the area. If you know of at least one Husky breeder near you, chances are if there are more than that breeder knows who they are.

7. Do NOT ask pet shops

Whilst some pet shops are brilliant, many are not and are just front to puppy farms. Unless you have a pet shop that is very reputable and doesn’t keep puppies in small glass cages, you might want to steer clear of getting advice from one.

Conclusions

Looking to buy a Siberian Husky puppy from a breeder and not sure where to find one? Try using web directories and search engines to find breeders near you. If that fails try talking to people in your community such as dog clubs, vets, other Husky owners, and breeders, for a referral to breeders that they know of. It might take a while but the more effort you put in now, the better chance you have at finding a breeder that has a puppy perfect for you!