Husky dogs are a large breed of dog and they have a rather headstrong and wilful nature.  However, they make energetic, fun and loving pets that will fit in well with an active family that has the time to care for them. They are not the right pet for anyone who is planning on just letting their dog have a run around the garden twice a day: these dogs need space and plenty of stimulation and exercise.

A bored, unhappy husky can develop behavioural problems and end up, like so many do, in the care of an animal charity such as the RSPCA.  As well as exercise and attention, huskies need regular grooming.

There are plenty of breeders who offer huskies for sale, and many will be enthusiastic and very knowledgeable about the breed. A good breeder will be happy for you to meet the puppies’ mother and spend time with the litter to help you decide which puppy you want to take home. By meeting the mother and seeing the puppies in their natural environment, you will learn a lot about what sort of dogs they will become: their temperament will most likely be similar to their mother’s, and if they seem happy and healthy and to have been allowed to socialise properly they will become happy, healthy dogs.

Whilst it is true that many huskies in rescue or rehoming centres are there because their owners have not been able to cope or care for them properly, it is not true that they cannot be loving, well-behaved pets if cared for by the right family.  It is usually the previous owner’s lack of proper care that has led to a husky being put up for re-homing, rather than anything wrong with the husky itself.  Staff at the RSPCA will be able to advise you about whether a particular dog will suit your family and will be able to give you information about its temperament and background.  They will also have made sure that the dog has been neutered/spayed and vaccinated, so you will be sure to have a healthy dog.

If you have the time to care for a husky and educate yourself about how to manage them properly, you can adopt a husky and end up with a very good pet that the whole family will adore.  

Husky dogs (normally Siberian huskies, though Alaskan huskies are also available) are popular as pets in the UK. They are large dogs and so they need lots of space and exercise, and they also need plenty of food. Husky dogs are fantastic pets to own, though, because they are very friendly and loving dogs who want nothing more than to be with their best friends (their family). Therefore, despite their rather intimidating size and wolf-like appearance that might normally put a parent off buying or rehoming one, husky dogs make good pets in households where there are children.

Their high energy levels and desire to have fun at any given opportunity make them a good match for playing with energetic, fun-loving children. They have very predictable natures, so you don’t need to worry about whether they might suddenly change their mind about whether they want to play or not (though of course, as with any dog, you should not allow your children to play unsupervised with them). They are not territorial and so are safe for visitors (including friends your children may bring home).

Husky dogs love running around, but this means that you need to be careful not to let them out of your house if you live on a main road unless you have a secure garden. Children are usually not strong enough to contain a husky on a lead, so if you’re walking with the dog on a lead anywhere a capable adult should hold it. 

If you see any adverts for husky puppies for sale, think carefully before buying because you’ll want to make sure that they have been bred with care. If they are being sold by professional breeders the husky puppies will be sold with pedigree paperwork and you should be able to meet the parents (or at least the bitch) to check for yourself what sort of temperament she has. The temperament of the parents is usually passed down to the puppies.

If they’re being sold by a casual breeder, or the owner of the bitch that has had an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy there won’t be pedigree paperwork available but you should at least be able to meet the mother. 

You might choose to rehome husky puppies or adult huskies from an animal charity or rescue home, since this breed like any other often finds itself in need of a home. Indeed, they are perhaps less likely than other breeds to be rehomed from a shelter because many people want pedigree status with their husky dog, or else they are looking for a smaller breed. If you want a husky dog from a rescue centre you can ask whether your local centre has any and you can put your name down to be contacted if one becomes available for rehoming.