Siberian Huskies are loyal pets that bond with people very quickly. Their unique character traits make them affectionate and notoriously playful.

In the right hands, they can be loving companions to their owners. Here are a few things you should know before adding a Siberian husky to your family.

1. She needs much maintenance.

If you’re a pet lover, you should know that this breed needs special care. Siberian Huskies are somewhat compact and well-furred.

They are bred to run to sprint in extreme weather, so you have to clean the thick coats of fur. It’s worth mentioning that this dog constantly sheds, creating tumbleweeds of hair in your house.

To reduce the shedding, you should do regular brushing and grooming. For best results, you may want to consider using a furminator comb to remove the loose fur from the coat.

If you have a low tolerance for stray hair, you’ll find this dog breed to be of low maintenance. It’s also vital that you invest in a good vacuum to take care of your dog every few weeks.

Secondly, you should bathe your husky with a waterless shampoo. Only wash when necessary to prevent skin problems. Moreover, because the fur regulates the body temperature, you should shave when necessary- under medical circumstances.

Thirdly, you must check the dog’s paws after exercise. Specially for Pomeranian husky mixes - Pomsky

2. Be prepared to give your dog adequate exercise.

To keep a Siberian husky happy, you should give it many exercises. A healthy dog needs 3-4 miles of exercise every week. You can

incorporate different types of sports like swimming, bikejoring, playing with other dogs, and one-dog sledding sports. While most dogs will run too fast, you should make them run at a comfortable pace. If you don’t do this, you’ll have a bored and frustrated dog.

To ensure your husky is not at risk of overheating you should exercise it in cold weather. Any temperature above 65 degrees F is considered too hot for exercise.

This does not mean you should not exercise during the summer - keep it at a minimum. Some of the signs of overheating include a bright red tongue, excessive panting, weakness, thick saliva, and vomiting.

3. It’s a heavy eater.

If you think you can give cheap food, be prepared for frequent infections. The general rule of thumb is to feed your dog with a balanced diet. This includes a mixture of commercial dog food and raw meat.

The recommended daily amount is 1-2 cups of high-quality dry food. This will depend on age, metabolism, build, and activity level. If it’s a seasonal dog, add some protein during the colder

months. Dozens of studies suggest that this dog require more food per pound than other breeds.

Feeding should be done 30 minutes after exercise. If you do this before exercise, you could be putting your dog at risk of gastric bloat which could kill it.

Of course, you have to give your dog a constant supply of clean water. This is important to remember on hot summer months. During the winter, you should invest in a water system that will not freeze.

Remember, never give raw bones as they can injure or kill the dog. To ensure your dog is in good health you should go shopping for your dog’s rations.

4. Husky is keenly intelligent.

While Huskies are seen in shows as wolves, this is far from the truth. They are die-hard loyal and will perform repetitive commands. Unlike other breeds, they are always ready to accept training.

It’s a good idea to start early. Just like humans, huskies learn quickly when they are young. You’ll find out that older dogs are quite tough to train.

If you don’t do this at an early age, your canine friend will get hostile towards cats and other dogs when it becomes significant.

So, how do you do the training? It would be best if you did not keep your dog hooped inside. Their natural desire is to run free to give them a good chance to burn off the excess energy.

Being a social creature, the dog will be friendly towards strangers. Siberian Huskies are quick learners, so they should not be supervised all the time.

When you train them well, they will get great a stranger with a wag of the tail. Those suffering from separation problems tend to be destructive.

5. It will spend much time with you.

Huskies like spending much time with humans, especially if they are the only dog in the house. Trust me; this dog will not be happy spending much time alone.

It will follow you wherever you go –even in the bathroom. If this dog gets bored, it will destroy just about everything to keep you occupied. It’s good to note that an old Siberian dog can be defensive and territorial.

To be on the safe side, be sure to work with them from an early age to control the aggressive behavior. Siberian Huskies are often protective of their pack and will be jealous if someone else is around that person.

Because of this gregarious nature, a Siberian huskie should not be considered for guard duty. It’s a people-oriented breed that will welcome an intruder with open arms.

If you like having some time alone, you’ll not get much of it if you have a Huskie running around.

6. You’ll have a best friend for the next 12-15 years

The average lifespan of a Siberian husky is 15 years or even longer. While female dogs tend to live longer than male dogs, the difference is not pronounced.

Each dog is different so don’t be surprised if the male outlives the female companion. This means you’ll have a dog that loves and will always be there for you.

More interestingly, you have to monitor your dog’s health to ensure it lives as long as possible. Apart from that, keep your dog away from potential attacks, weather, and injuries.

This breed has eye problems like corneal dystrophy and juvenile cataracts. It would be best if you made regular vet visits because some of the age-related problems can be protected at an early age.

Final thoughts

Are you considering getting a Siberian husky? Well, this amazing dog is loyal, affectionate, and easy to train- something you might not find in other breeds. Their spectacular eyes will have you transfixed.

Moreover, with a lifespan of 15 years, you can be sure you have a valuable member of your family. Before you take the plunge, you may want to consider the above facts about the canine friend.