YARD
Secure fencing is a must. Minumum height of 1.8m (6ft).
Solid walls, even of the right height, are easy for Huskies to get over. They are able to get more of a grip than fencing. Then an additional topping of strands, angled inwards, will keep the yard secure.
Double gates. There must be at least one gate between the Husky and the world out there at all times. On the driveway, the main gate to the road must be supplemented by an additional gate so that you can contain your dogs while coming in and out with your car. This safety gate applieas to all dogs, not just Huskies.
There should be ample area/s of shade, to help with hot days, preferably with ground, not a paved/concrete surface.
Remember that Huskies are enthusiastic but very unskilled gardeners. They love to dig.
Keep checking on the walls/boundaries. If they can’t go over, they’ll try to go underneath. There are ways of preventing that, and we can show you a fairly inexpensive method of preventing a great tunnel escape.
Ensure that there are no bins, pool pumps or other structures near the walls. Huskies will figure out in a flash how best to use these, to help get over the wall. They are one of the few dogs that will reason things out like this.
HOUSE
Huskies are very clean dogs, and do not have that typical ‘doggy smell’.
As their coats are waterproof, dirt does not stay stuck. A Husky will go from 100% mud-covered brown, to their normal colours, as soon as the coat dries out. Dirt just drops off. Exception of course would be something sticky – or something they rolled in (Hadedah poo being a favourite). Fortunately clean up is quick.
They are very suited to staying inside. In fact, the Chuckchi tribe in winter used to refer to cold nights as ‘one, two or three dog’ nights, referring to how many dogs were needed in the tent to keep everyone warm!
Huskies are a definite presence in the home. They love being part of any and all goings on – they are part of the family, after all. They are naturally curious, and also love lying near you while you are in the kitchen, watching movies, etc.
Huskies can be opportunistic – so be careful about leaving food or used plates at a level they can get to. Dustbins have a particular fascination for some Huskies.
Huskies shed hair – a lot. While it is a chore to deal with, it’s good to remember that the fact their coat is shedding regularly, is a sign the coat is healthy. A canister-type vacuum makes short work of picking up the daily bundles of fluff/joy. Bag type vacuums are less efficient as the hair tends to clog the bag very quickly.
GROOMING
Regular (read: daily) grooming is essential to keep their coats loose and working properly, to help insulate the Husky against both cold and heat.
A daily five to 10 minutes is far better than a once a week marathon, which neither you or your Husky will enjoy.
A daily brush, targetting different areas, will help keep their coat in good condition.
They also don’t seem to mind a shorter brushing session too much, and actually come to enjoy it.
It’s a good way of bonding with your Husky as well.
We can advise on the best types of brushes. But you will need two: an undercoat rake and a large pin bristle brush. Examples of both are below.
EXCERCISE
Huskies do need a lot of excercise – remember they are working dogs.
The Golden Rule for walking Huskies – never let them off lead. Ever. There are rare exceptions where a Husky can be trained/expected to recall. Your Husky is not one of those rare exceptions.
The only exception to this would be a completely enclosed park or similar. Just remember even places like this have gates, and gates can be escaped through.
As far as possible, aim for a daily walk of at least 30 minutes. Not only is this good for both of you, but it also allows their busy brains to check out the outside world, read the news, etc.
Consider a shoulder-type harness. As Huskies pull, any harness that acts around their neck is not great. Actually it’s not great for any dog.
At the very least, pair this with a leash that has a bungee component built in. This will help cushion you against sudden jerks, and possible injury.
Huskies can pull up to THREE TIMES their body weight. So it comes as no surprise that, in a sudden jerk, common human injuries can be sprained (or even broken) wrists, and sprained shoulders.
Good footwear is a must for walking Huskies. We recommend trail-running shoes, or any shoe that has good grip on the soles. You will appreciate this ‘investment’ the first time you walk down a hill with your Husky gleefully pulling.
A good way of preventing possible injuries,and to make your walk more enjoyable for both of you, invest in a padded waist belt. Clip the leash to the belt and to the Husky, and you are both good to go – and have fun.
Having the belt around your waist gives you more “braking force” by using your body weight, versus just the strength you are able to apply through your arm. Again remember, an average Husky can easily pull 50kg or more, so consider this.
In parks on on the beach, using a long line (approx 10m), gives your Husky some freedom which they really will enjoy, while still staying attached to you.
Photo credit: Nicole Botham. CiCi and Ates having a long line run on the beach