Alaskan Husky Puppy Facts

What really defines it is its use as a highly efficient sled dog. In fact, no true purebred Northern breed can compete with it as far as the speed and endurance are concerned!

As you can guess, these dogs are prized for their speed and used mainly for racing competitions.

For simplicity, let's call it a "breed".

Physical Characteristics of Alaskan Husky Puppy

This is a mixed-breed dog and includes many different bloodlines. Though Siberian Husky and other Northern breeds predominate, there is a little bit of everything - from a Greyhound all the way to a wolf!

These are moderately sized dogs with medium length coats that are less dense than those of purebred Northern breeds. The coat can be of almost any conceivable dog color. Eyes too can be of any color, though blue is the most common.

It's a very athletic dog and, as can be expected from a dog that was bred for stamina and speed, it has very strong leg muscles.

In some ways, the Alaskan Husky dog resembles a Siberian Husky but is taller and leaner.

Temperament

Alaskan Huskies exhibit many different and, sometimes, contradictory personalities and behaviors...

In general, they are gentle but fearless, playful, fun loving and sociable. Most love human contact and tolerate children, but some are shy and don't like to be petted.

Because huskies are pack animals, they work well with each other. At the same time, because of their wolf ancestry, they can't be trusted with smaller animals.

Overall, they can and do make good family pets.

Oh... almost forgot - Alaskan Huskies are gifted diggers! If you have a fenced yard, make sure the fence is set VERY deep.

Best Owner / Living Conditions

The Alaskan Husky is a very active breed and doesn't do well in an apartment setting. An "ideal" owner lives in a cool climate. He or she is active, lives in a suburban environment and has a large, fenced yard.

Some Alaskan Husky breeders may interview prospective owners to make sure this is the right breed for them.

Activity and Exercise

These are very active dogs and require plenty of exercise.

At a minimum, take your pet for several brisk walks every day. Be careful not to over exercise him when the weather gets hot.

Grooming

The Alaskan Husky doesn't shed a lot... most of the year. But twice a year, in spring and fall, it will go through a heavy shedding period and will require daily brushing.

When it's not shedding, brushing once or twice a week should be sufficient.

Health Concerns

Like all dog breeds, the Alaskan Husky is susceptible to complications caused by parasites such as dog ticks, fleas, and puppy worms, including tapeworms, roundworms, and heartworms.

Other than that, this is a very healthy breed. Still, buy only from reputable Alaskan Husky breeders (visit dog breeders to learn how to identify responsible dog breeders).

No matter how small the risk of health problems is, any puppy may get sick or injured. Many health problems will require an immediate attention from your Vet, but there are many others that will not, and you may handle them on your own.

To save time and money, learn how to diagnose and treat dog health problems that don't require your Vet's attention.

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy for the Alaskan Husky is between 12 and 15 years.

Did you ever consider adopting your next pet?

If this is the breed you are interested in, and adoption appeals to you, consider contacting your local Alaskan Husky rescue. There are thousands of pets waiting for a loving home and, yes, it's possible to adopt a purebred dog.