Last Updated on December 22, 2021 by Marco
In this article, we will be exploring the wonderful and sometimes exasperating world of Husky traits and behaviors.
Are you feeling brave? Then let’s dive right in!
Husky Behavior
Huskies are zany and exuberant dogs, whose high energy levels can make their behavior somewhat erratic. This will be the dog that zooms around the dog park with seemingly no rhyme or rhythm to their actions.
But do not forget that the Husky is a working dog and therefore when they are working, you will see a very different side to their nature – serious, hard-working, and focused.
Siberian Husky Temperament
Due to their breeding, Siberian Huskies work wonderfully in a team. So any sport where teamwork with other dogs is required is where the Husky truly shines. Check out this pair of Huskies girls doing their thing – mushing for the first time – it is equal parts fascinating and funny!
Huskies Personality
Quirky, intelligent, independent, stubborn, and downright funny are some ways to describe the personality of the Husky.
This breed is very talkative and loves to let its owners know their feelings on any given subject with a sound that is part yodel and part howl. Check out this compilation video that includes a Husky called Mishka telling her family that she loves them!
Huskies As Pack Animals
Because Huskies are pack-oriented, they will do well if they are in a multi-dog home – probably best with other Huskies. Unless they have been trained and socialized from a young age on how to behave around smaller animals such as cats, then their strong prey drive can cause them to chase.
Learn more about: Are Siberian Huskies Easy To Train?
If you do not have time or space for two or more dogs, then you will become your Husky’s pack. These dogs are family dogs and get on well with and love kids. So you need to make sure you have lots of time to spend with your Husky because they definitely do need that company.
Otherwise, they will use their escape-artist abilities to run away and find stimulation somewhere else.
Huskies and Strangers
Huskies are pretty friendly dogs, even to strangers. This is great if you have visitors to your home, or don’t mind people asking to pet your dog when you are out walking.
But if you want a dog that acts aggressively towards strangers, then this is not something that comes in the Husky repertoire.
With regards to barking, if the dog is bored and left to its own devices in the backyard, it will howl, which means that if an intruder comes and they make a sound, you may be inclined to ignore it.
More About Husky Personality and Husky Behavior
These dogs are also described as alert and outgoing. Added to this is their tendency to behave in a dominant way and work their way up the pack order in the home if they think they can get away with it. Owners must put some firm and common-sense strategies in place to stop this from escalating.
These dogs are not really motivated to please their owners and therefore they can be difficult to train.
Huskies – The ‘Diggiest Dog’
Huskies can become destructive if they are left alone. Due to boredom, they will dig up your backyard and rip up shoes and the like. So a busy Husky is a happy one.
The Athletic Siberian Husky
If you are a sporty person and would love a partner to go running with, the Huskies’ temperament makes them superb for this. They need from 1 to 2 hours of exercise per day.
They also need room to move at home and therefore will not be happy in a small apartment with no yard.
This dog breed enjoys a paddle and plays in the water, once they figure out what it is all about. You can see a cute video of a Husky puppy going for one of their first swims here.
And while we are on the subject of keeping cool, if you live somewhere hot your double-coated Husky will very much appreciate you bringing them inside to lie down beneath the air conditioner.
Keeping Your Husky Safe
This is not a dog that you want to let off the leash. They will run and run, and their recall is not great so they will not be particularly motivated to come back to you. So invest in a sturdy harness, or let them run off-leash somewhere safe and enclosed, such as a dog park.
This will keep them safe because they do not have much road sense.
The Takeaway On Siberian Husky Traits And Behaviors
Siberian Huskies are energetic and intelligent dogs that can make a loyal and loving family pet provided that you have a few things in place:
- You are an experienced dog owner
- You have a firm and consistent approach to training, which are able to start from puppyhood
- You are a very active person who walks, runs, hikes, etc. daily and can take the dog with you
- You have lots of time to spend with a dog
If you can offer a Husky these things then you will be rewarded with their winning personality. These dogs are friendly and love their families. They are loyal to their pack leader yet they are not aggressive to strangers.
This dog is happiest when they have a job to do, such as pulling a sled. This is where they really shine when they can work hard and as part of a team.
At home, Husky traits that you will undoubtedly find endearing are funny vocalizations and cuddly yet non-clingy nature. They will welcome friends into the home. They are great with kids because they are so playful, and not aggressive.
Husky personality traits that you may find challenging if not prepared for them are their stubbornness, their strong-mindedness, and their propensity to try to strong-arm their way up the pack order.
Other challenging traits are their strong prey drive, their lack of interest in pleasing their masters, and their tendency to run off and not come back if unleashed.
