Are Huskies High Maintenance?

Huskies were initially bred for the purpose of pulling sleds in snowy and Nordic climates, which means this breed is quite energetic. Like any other dog breed, huskies possess unique characteristics that make them both challenging and endearing.

While it might not be right to say that huskies are more challenging than other dog breeds, they have certain traits that could prove challenging for you if your overall lifestyle is misaligned with his needs. This blog will discuss whether huskies are high-maintenance or not, covering details about their maintenance expenses and caring requirements.

Are Huskies Expensive to Maintain?

If you are thinking about getting a husky, it is important to make sure that you can afford to maintain one.

Apart from the usual canine care expenses such as food, adoption fees, and veterinary costs, huskies require additional above-average investments.

As we mentioned, huskies are quite energetic and active, and burn plenty of calories. This means that they will require a significant amount of food, and if you purchase a premium brand of food, you can expect to spend around $45-55 per month for food. This estimate does not incorporate any treats, dental chews, vitamins, and supplements.

You also need to consider the expenses of training your husky; although many dog owners think that training is not mandatory, this is not quite true. You want your dog to be well-trained, sociable, and disciplined at the end of the day. The fact that huskies tend to be stubborn makes training significantly harder (and important). So, how much will the training cost you

• Puppy socialization training can cost anywhere between $70 to $200 for a full five- to six-week course.
• Group obedience training will cost approximately $120 to $200 for a full five- to six-week course.
• Private training classes are the costliest option, costing approximately $120 for every one-hour session.

Thankfully, the grooming expenses associated with a husky are not exorbitant – you can groom your husky by yourself through regular bathing and brushing. If you decide to visit a professional grooming service, you can expect to pay approximately $120 for each session.

Huskies are also tremendously intelligent, which means that they require consistent mental stimulation. Therefore, you will need to purchase various kinds of puzzles and other toys to keep your pet preoccupied.

This breed is also known for being escape-artists, which means a strong and sturdy crate is a must-have. Other than that, you might need to add additional gating to your fences to make sure that all escape holes are covered.

Veterinary expenses are some of the most significant ongoing expenses related to any pet. At the very least, you will have to take your husky to a vet once a year, and these annual visits can cause anywhere between $120 to $300.

However, the biggest vet expenses result from unplanned emergencies – an emergency surgery, for instance, can cost several thousand dollars. In addition, you also need to be prepared to handle any genetic issues such as seizure disorders, hip dysplasia, or eye problems.

Are Huskies Hard to Take Care of?

Once again, it is important to remember that huskies were initially bred to sprint for several miles at a stretch. Hence, alongside mental stimulation, huskies also require physical exercise. If you enjoy cycling or running, a husky might be a good fit for you. However, if your idea of a workout is exercising indoors, you might want to reconsider getting this breed as a pet. Ideally, a husky should be getting at least a couple of hours of exercise daily. Huskies enjoy fast and intense exercises, and they can get destructive if they do not get this.

The husky’s coat is made up of extremely fine hairs, which shed constantly. The breed’s fine fur comes out in significant clumps and can cover your house with tumbleweeds. The husky’s undercoat hair tends to stick on pretty much anything, from clothing to furniture. Even though consistent grooming and brushing can reduce the amount of shedding, the husky might not be right for you if you are someone who does not have particularly high patience with stray fur. Speaking of grooming, you will need to have a comprehensive grooming routine for your husky, comprising at least two weekly sessions – and this number might double during their ‘blowout’ phases.

Huskies are also highly social dogs, meaning they do not appreciate being left by themselves for long periods. Therefore, you should consider getting a husky only if at least one member of your family can keep him company at all times. Although lonely huskies do not generally bark, they do tend howling – something that can prove problematic if you have neighbors who live close to you. In addition, a lonely husky will become quite bored quite quickly, which can cause it to indulge in destructive activities. It is worth noting that a lot of families that work full-time also successfully own huskies. However, they make special arrangements, such as taking some time off every day to spend time with the pet, or arranging for friends or relatives to keep the husky company while they are gone.

Even if a husky indulges in daily exercising – and even if your house has a well-fenced, large yard – you cannot do anything about the breed’s natural ‘escape’ instinct. So, if your husky cannot get out of the house, he might tunnel under the fences or dig up flower beds. This desire to run away from confined spaces is perhaps the main reason they end up as strays and are eventually put into shelters. In addition, the husky’s tremendous speed makes him susceptible to danger and injury.

Is Getting a Husky a Bad Idea?

Of course, it would be wrong to say that getting a husky is a bad idea. Like we said, just like any other breed, huskies have their own set of qualities and traits – and if these traits and qualities are compatible with your general lifestyle and routine, you should certainly consider getting a husky. However, if you are someone who cannot dedicate a lot of time to exercise, cannot endure stray fur all over the house, do not have a particularly secure home, and will have to spend your dog by himself for long periods, you should perhaps consider getting a different breed.