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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. 

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!

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!

Whilst nobody can put a true price on love, purebred puppies can attract a pretty penny. How much does a Siberian Husky cost, and why the large variance? Read on…

If you are purchasing a Siberian Husky from a reputable breeder you can expect to pay between $500 and $800 for a puppy. If the parents of the puppy are winning shows or sled dogs then this will be closer to $1500-$2500, even as high as $10000!

Why Siberian Huskies are so expensive and what determines the price?

Siberian Husky combines natural beauty, devotion, affection. With their smart, understanding gaze, they win the hearts of many pet lovers. But not everyone is ready to buy a puppy because of the high cost. So what determines the price and what should I look for when buying husky puppies?

First, you need to decide for what purpose you want to have a husky. Do you want to get a pet companion or build a dog career? The price of a husky will depend on the pedigree and breed standards.

In order to understand why a purebred husky puppy is worth the money they ask for, you need to familiarize yourself with the costs for the breeder. Before selling husky puppies, responsible breeder invests a lot of labor and money in quality food, vitamins, vaccinations, vet visits, which accumulate and create a real price for Siberian Husky puppy.

The AKC Breed Standard for Siberian Husky is quite specific about the size, weight, and physical appearance of what a Husky should look like. If the parents of a puppy both meet the standard and have been winning shows, there is a good chance the puppy will also be of such a high standard.

There is similar reasoning for sled/racing dogs. If the parents are successful at winning races, built for endurance and power, then the puppies are also likely to be suitable for sledding competitions. There is no guarantee that the offspring of champion parents will themselves be champions, but will have a better chance than mating two domestic Huskies.

What if I don’t need a show dog?

Great! No problem at all with that. Most dogs ever owned will be loving members of the family and never be put on stage or put in a race. For this reason, you can look at breeders who are still keen and capable of matching animals to better the breed but might not be attracting the show’s parents. Some breeders might lower their prices to $300 to help find their puppies home. Keep in mind that the breeder still has to pay for housing, food, vaccinations, and other vet bills, not to mention their time in training and socializing the pups. $300 is pretty cheap for the service offered.

Are there any alternatives?

Believe it or not, pet shops are likely to charge more for puppies because they have rents and retail margins to make. We would generally not recommend buying from a pet shop as many are fronts for puppy mills and dogs are not necessarily bred for the betterment of the breed. That is, to improve the physical qualities, health, and temperament of the animals.

We have put together a guide on alternatives to buying from a breeder which should give you some ideas about where to look. These include classifieds, agencies, and local breeders who might not advertise.

Just remember that over the course of Husky’s twelve to fourteen-year life, the purchase price is going to be relatively insignificant compared to food, health checkups, and other costs associated with keeping animals. So while you might be tempted at the start to save a couple of hundred dollars, perhaps you are better off purchasing from a reputable breeder with a track record of producing healthy, happy, and ideal puppies.

Selecting your first Siberian Husky puppy from a litter is an important decision. You are about to choose your latest family member and you need to be sure that your new pet will fit in well with your family’s lifestyle, as well as be healthy for years to come. Here are some basics on Husky puppy selection to help you decide:

1. It is ok to say “No”

First and foremost – it is ok to say “No”, and not feel compelled to make a decision on the spot. Introducing a new family member is a long-term life-changing decision. You don’t want to make such a decision on a whim, do you?

If this is your first Siberian Husky you might want to visit a few breeders to compare experiences and the range of puppies available. Good breeders know that different litters come from different parents and so have different temperaments, adherence to breed standards, etc. They will be more than happy to see you more than once and be patient in answering all of your questions.

If breeders are few and far between in your area you might even delay your decision for a couple of years and wait until a new litter is born.

2. Male or Female?

In general male Huskies are going to be more outgoing, more affectionate, but also more dominating and difficult to train. You are going to have to exert yourself as the alpha dog of the pack to maintain authority. Female Huskies will be more reserved but tend to learn a little quicker and be more focused on training drills.

If you have other dogs in the home you might want to avoid placing two males together because they could compete for authority over each other. However, if you are a confident trainer and have some experience with Siberian Huskies you can probably overcome most of those issues.

3. Temperament and Engagement

An energetic puppy that can’t wait to climb all over you might be cute, but is that the kind of dog you want long term? Can you match the energy levels? On the other hand, pups that slink away and show fear of strangers probably have not been socialized properly. For most people, a “middle of the road” pup is the ideal choice. Look for a Husky puppy that engages with you, shows curiosity, and is not outright afraid of strangers.

4. Health check

All of the puppies you are looking at should have been vet-checked with a report of good health. The pup should be vaccinated and wormed as well. Look for any discharge from eyes or ears which might indicate a health issue – the face should be clean. The puppy’s coat should be clean and generally looking good. A sign of a good breeder is one that will offer a guarantee of the health of the puppy for a period, say up to five years.

5. Ask The Breeder

Finally, but by no means least, you can simply ask the breeder for advice. A good breeder will ask you questions on what kind of lifestyle you live and should be able to help pair you up with a suitable pup from the litter.

When you visit Siberian Husky breeders you should let the breeder help you in finding a pup suitable for you. Visiting a number of breeders might be required to aid in your selection. Unless you have experience in raising and training Siberian Huskies you are probably going to look for a puppy that is neither excessively shy nor excessively energetic. Always look for a puppy that is in good health and likely to remain that way.

Having difficulty finding a Siberian Husky breeder in your area? Check out our Breeders Directory for a breeder near you.

Just want to see some cute puppies? Here you go…