Are you one of those parents planning on bringing a Husky to your home? Did you know that Huskies are excellent family dogs that get along with kids and could be quite tolerant? However, there are a few things you need to be aware of, especially if you’re considering adding this dog to your household.
In case you didn’t know yet, Siberian Huskies are strong, smart, and lovely dogs. You can expect them to bring a huge amount of love to your home. However, are huskies good with kids? Read further to find out.
Are Huskies Good with Children?
Huskies have different personality traits, which makes them a good option for families with kids. These dog breeds are loyal dogs, which enjoy spending time with their family, not to mention they demonstrate lots of affection and have a very playful streak.
It’s worth mentioning that these dogs enjoy getting involved with family activities and family walks whenever possible. The negative qualities of a dog could also affect its suitability for living in a household with kids.
Good for you because Huskies don’t have any negative characteristics, which are a top concern for parents. For instance, they’re one of those aggressive types of dogs and not known for aggressive growling or nipping.
However, you will find potential concern with this breed, which is their destructive behavior. Whenever they’re left alone in the house, they are more likely to ruin or shred things. Most household with kids has more stuff lying around like toys.
You see, there’s the risk that your Husky will ruin your kid’s soft toys once they get bored. But overall, you can rest assured that a Husky has more positive personality traits than negative ones. That suggests they are an excellent family pet.
Can They Manage Getting Along with Your Little Ones?
Other breeds that are excellent for older kids are not a good choice for families with younger kids. You will find many different reasons for this, depending on the breed itself. One problem with bigger dogs is their size could cause concern when knocking over smaller kids.
As you already know, Huskies are a medium-large breed, and that’s probably a concern. Some breeds are small and delicate, which poses a risk where the child could harm them through rough play.
Fortunately, Huskies are somewhat a strong breed. That’s why it’s highly unlikely that a small kid will cause them an incident by playing with them too roughly.
There are also instances where dogs, especially working dogs trained to snap at the heels of other animals. Such breeds might treat small kids similarly like they treat animals during herding. That behavior isn’t a problem with Huskies, as they don’t snap at your ankles.
What About Allergic Kids?
Do you have a kid suffering from allergies? Then that’s something else you need to consider when you’re picking the perfect breed for your family. The good thing about Huskies is that they don’t shed. That’s why they’re known to be a good option for people suffering from allergies.
Nevertheless, other allergic people are impacted by some breeds, while some aren’t. With their thick coats, Huskies could shed a lot in the hot weather as their way of cooling off. The additional shedding is possibly a concern for other people.
What Makes Huskies Perfect for Kids?
Yes, of course! Huskies are awesome family dogs and will bring a huge amount of love to your household. Below are some of the reasons this bread might be perfect for your family.
They get along well with kids. Isn’t it obvious already? Do you have younger children or toddlers? Your Husky will surely enjoy playtime with them. It’s typical to see your toddler sleeping peacefully next to or even on your dog.
This breed is, no doubt, playful by default. Hence, they will be the ideal play buddy for a long kid. They also love exercise, encouraging an older kid to leave the house rather than being engrossed in their phone.
Other dogs might feel jealous after you have a new kid in the family. The good thing about Huskies is that they’re understandable. They become protective of your new little one and will be affectionate towards your baby and consider them as their siblings they like to play with always.
They are smart
Undoubtedly, Huskies are a lovely dog breed, and they look wonderful. With their wolf-look look, they can turn your mood and make you confident, not to mention they are loyal and affectionate towards kids.
As with other breeds, Siberian Huskies bond along with a group of people easily. But you may be thinking, are they smart? Well, of course! Huskies are commonly used as work dogs and the smartest and the sharpest dog breed you can ever meet.
Such qualities make them simple to train. Moreover, they are extremely independent too. They can make their decisions, which can be quite a drawback for some. Huskies might not follow all your orders right away, but that does not suggest they’re not a good follower.
Remember that these dogs are independent-minded and will question commands first before they try to follow them. As a working dog, every Husky has a unique set of skills. Your dog could be easily trained to do different tasks based on the connection you both have.
They don’t shed much.
As mentioned earlier, Huskies are a low shedder, making it a good option for a busy family with kids. Their shedding normally happens two times a year and could last at least three weeks at a time. A husky won’t a big problem for busy householders out there.
Things to Consider Before Getting a Husky
Like any pets, a Siberian Husky comes with its fair share of needs and requirements to become a loveable and content family member. Every dog is unique, and some of those might not apply to all dogs out there.
Below are the important things you need to be aware of before trying to adopt a new Husky.
Size
The average height of a Siberian Husky is between 2o and 23.5 inches. Their weight is about 35 to 60 pounds. Female Huskies are typically smaller, making them a good option if you don’t like a very big dog.
Just be ready, though, as there’s always the chance your dog will fall closer to the greater end of the scale.
Grooming Requirements
A Husky is a family pet that does not need comprehensive grooming. For a dog that’s known big high maintenance when it comes to the attention it needs, that does not hold in grooming.
A Husky will do an excellent job of keeping himself tidy, only needing a few baths a year or a weekly brushing to handle those loose hair and help keep its coat and skin in top shape.
Please take note that a Husky also has a double coat, and his undercoat sheds at least two times per year. Hence, using a pin brush to rake out loose hair is highly suggested. You can also keep up with regular dental care and nail trims.
Life Expectancy
A Husky can live about twelve to fourteen years, which makes them a great companion for your three or four-year-old child. This dog could also be around with your kids until they go off to college. That’s why you need to consider whether you like to adopt an older or younger dog.
Training
Like most breeds, Huskies benefit from early training and positive socialization. This dog loves his family but could also be quite hard-headed. You can have a recipe for disaster if you don’t begin a training program as soon as possible. If you’re uncertain what to do on your own, have a chat with your vet about possible training dog classes in your area.
Health
Huskies are known to be a healthy breed, and reliable breeders must screen their dogs for specific concerns like eye problems or hip dysplasia to check for a series of health problems. It will help if you pay a visit to a canine ophthalmologist regularly.
Exercise
This pup is quite an athletic dog that needs comprehensive opportunities for exercise and participating in both mental and physical activities. Further, Huskies were always born to run. Hence, unless you’re playing in a big, fenced yard, it’s essential to keep this dog on a leash when you’re out and about.
This breed can be more likely to have a mischievous streak, so ensuring your pup has enough play opportunities and engage in a series of activities could make him out of trouble, healthy, and happy.
How to Properly Introduce Your Husky to Your Children?
It would help if you managed early interactions between your Husky and your kids for the sake of both. That’s especially true irrespective of your kid’s age.
Facilitating interactions indicates you can ensure your dog doesn’t show any aggression signs. It also indicates setting boundaries for your kids to know how they should behave around the dog in the future.
