If you surf through the Internet looking for the most intelligent dogs in the world, Huskies will appear several times in your search. However, their intelligence is unique – the dogs are not all about obedience, excellent listening skills, and docility. As compared to all the other types of intelligence, the one that stands out for Huskies is independence. This breed of dogs has no problems taking care of itself and navigating its ways well around anything and everything.
Because of that independent type of intelligence, a Husky will act stubbornly. This trait makes it challenging to train them, and many people take stubbornness as a lack of intelligence. However, that is not the message they try to send – Huskies are smart enough to know if you’re worth listening to or not. So, if you ask them to do something, say play fetch, and it refuses, it may be just not interested in the game or you.
That attitude makes it challenging for pet parents to take up huskies. They are usually afraid of the unpredictable nature of the dog. If you have many pets (among them a husky) and decide to call one (which is not the Husky), you may see the Husky coming. When you call it, it may blatantly ignore you.
The other downside that comes up when dealing with Huskies is that they operate on their instincts for the most part. For an impatient person, you may find the dog’s instinctual behavior annoying, untimely, and uncalled-for. The behavior of the Husky goes back to its breeding – it was brought to be self-reliant. That details should take of all the concerned pet parents.
In terms of dieting, Huskies can survive without eating a lot of food. Actually, they can find their food by taking down cats and other smaller pets in your house. This means that if you have a house cat and a Husky under the same roof, you must care that the canine does not devour the feline.
Keeping your Husky caged is not a good idea as it will try to escape – it will hop and dig just to get some freedom. When a Husky is successfully out of its confines, it may run until it gets tired. The trick is to avoid chasing it down.
The other upside trait that Huskies have is excellent navigation. Since Huskies were bred as sled dogs, they have an innate and powerful ability to see where paths lead. However much they run away from home, they will come back. This is a very advantageous trait as it shows their keenness and attentiveness.
Because of their unlimited energy levels, Husky dogs have proved useful in several jobs. For example, in the Second World War, the US army used them as search-rescue dogs. At that time, they were also trained for freighting, communication, and transportation.
The Smartness Of Huskies, Among Others
Because of their beauty, Huskies are one of the most sort-after dog breeds. As implied, the personality and intelligence of Huskies are a little complicated. Keep reading to get more information on how smart they are.
Their independent attitudes and stubbornness do not stop Huskies from being famous. Of all the 193 breeds recognized by the AKC (the American Kennel Club), Huskies are in position 12. This means that despite the ‘troubled’ personalities they have, dog enthusiasts still love them. The following is a table that captures the popularity of the breed between 2013 and 2017:
| The Year Of Ranking | The Position That Huskies Ranked (Over The 193 Breeds Accepted In The AKC Registry) |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 12 |
So, despite their stubbornness and carefree attitudes, why are they ranking so well? The answer lies in their personality and temperament. Although they are a little tough to handle, they are still lovable and loving dogs.
The one thing that people say about this breed is that they are not the best guard dogs. They do not act suspiciously when strangers come around, and neither do they react protectively and aggressively. If a new person comes into your house, they will respond calmly and won’t act cautiously.
Huskies love bonding with other animals, meaning that their sociability cannot be doubted. They love other dogs, and because they love being in packs, they will prefer to be with other dogs than people. However, it is recommended that pet parents avoid having more than two Husky dogs in one household at any one time. When left alone, the mischievousness of Huskies kicks in, and there will be a lot of trouble between them.
As already mentioned, the Husky bears a lot of energy in it – they behave like puppies throughout their lives. When a Husky matures, it will still love goofing around playing well. The dogs love running, playing, and exercising.
The other thing noteworthy about the Husky dogs is their goofy personalities. If you hang around them, you will realize that they are funny, quirky, and are impressive entertainers. Because of their independent natures, they will try as much as hard to live happy lives. While they are not the best barkers, they do not like keeping quiet. To get human attention, a husky will moan, howl, and whine. If you listen keenly, you may pick out some singing from the Husky.
As affectionate and loving animals, they are used many times during therapy. Their personality, intelligence, and calm around strangers make them one of the best pets for therapeutic sessions.
Where The Husky Is Coming From
Canine history has it that the Chukchi people of Northeastern Asia are the ones who originally bred the Husky. At that time, the dogs were used as sled and companion dogs. When the Chukchi people did not have food or when it became scarce, they would fix Huskies to their sleds and then would travel hundreds of miles to get something sustainable to eat.
In the early 1990s, Huskies became famous, mostly when sled racing was associated with the dog. The races gave the dogs recognition, and at one point, the most popular form of transport was the Husky-pulled sled. They were popular before snowmobiles and aircraft were invented.
If you look at history, there is an event worth noting – the one that happened in 1925, known as the Serum Run to Nome. The people of a town in Alaska had gotten an illness, and serum needed to help restore their health. The unfortunate thing was that the serum was about 674 miles away, and because of the climate and shape of the area, there was no way to have it delivered or retrieved.
The fortunes of those illness-stricken people came when one Leonhard Seppala introduced a secret weapon – 150 huskies. They were all attached to a sled, and in less than a week, they ran the entire 674 miles. The last stretch was run by a Husky known as Balto. In the list of the most famous dog, Blato is there and a statue stand in Central Park (New York City) and Anchorage (Alaska) to honor it.
When that historical event happened, Huskies got a lot of attention, which made them rise in terms of popularity worldwide. They still maintain that position, and it is likely to find a Husky leading a team of sled dogs.
Training Huskies
As you may have already picked out, the smartness of Huskies cannot be denied. However, their stubbornness keeps them away from being obedient. So, training them is a little too hard as they are unlikely to listen. No matter how much or how well a Husky gets trained, it will behave unpredictably.
If you have never engaged in any dog training business, you may find it intimidating and scary to train a new Husky. You have nothing to worry as this subsection will give you all the info you need.
1. Start The Training When The Husky Is A Puppy
This tip not only applies to the Husky but to other dogs as well. When you start training the Husky while young, it will master your instructions and stick to them while growing up.
Let me give an excellent example that involves the pup and couches. If you don’t allow the dog to jump and play on the sofa, it will grow up knowing that that piece of furniture is out of bounds. However, if you buy a couch when the Husky is a little bit older, they are unlikely to listen to you. They won’t see the reason why the couch is out of bounds.
The moral of the analogy is this – get a couch early enough, even before you get the Husky!
2. Always Give Time And Attention To The Dog
When you bond and spend lots of quality time with the dog, things will be smoother for training and obedience. A strong bond will be built if you spend time with the Husky when it is a puppy. Giving them your space is a sign of kindness and love, and those gestures will help you build a strong relationship with them – they will trust you to the fullest.
As independent thinkers, huskies will do things in which they find meaning and purpose. So, if you have a bond with the Husky, they will find reasons to obey you. When you ask the dog to play fetch with you, it will be more than ready to. As you bond with the Husky, you should treat it with loads of respect.
Because of the narrative of stubbornness and carefreeness, many people coming into Husky training are likely to be fearful. These people will then result to instruction by yelling and abuse. At the end of the day, the dog will not be genuinely obedient; it will comply out of intimidation.
For a breed that acts and lives independently, using intimidation as a teaching tactic will mean that the Husky will run away. If they are unsuccessful at leaving the house, they will start worsening and acting out.
3. Positive Reinforcement Serves The Training Best
If your Husky obeys or complies, do not forget to praise it verbally. Make the dog know that it did something important. Give it lots of rubs and scratches and tell it how good it is. If you’re in any training phase, you can get them treated – with a treat, of course!
Some great treats are dog biscuits and baby carrots. Always give them in tiny portions so that they don’t overeat.
The rewards and reinforcement will give the Husky reasons and incentive to do what you want them to do. Although they may not obey you all the time, they will be happy to please you once in a while.
4. Be Patient, Persist, And Don’t Give Up
This is arguably the most crucial tip of all. As the trainer, you will need to have particular patience and persistence in the Husky. A Husky will act ignorantly when you ask it to do something but don’t get tricked. Push until it does its duty.
However, do not overdo the persistence and, always, try to show your strictness without actually being mean. If the Husky is not ready, do not rush it because your relationship with the dog could collapse. So, take time and embrace the baby steps as they also mean progress.
5. Ensure That Training Session Ends With Good Feelings
You are advised not to hold the dog down in long hours of training. No training session should last more than 15 minutes, and the episodes should not be more than two a day. While many people may see 30 minutes as little time, it is better that way. You wouldn’t want the Husky to lose you, so keep them short.
If you feel like the dog has done what you wanted it to do, you can end the session at that point. A successful day should end with praise and play – leave the dog at a point where it wants more than what you gave. Totally avoid trying to force things as that will not help. If you take that route, they will start associating training with some positivity. It will be something that they will look forward to.
6. Tolerance Is The Key, And Giving Up Is Not An Option
Like many people, you are walking into Husky training with many preconceived ideas – and that is not your fault. Although the general sentiments about the Husky are that it is a stubborn dog, things may differ from yours. It is only fair to say that different Huskies behave differently. If you give your dog a lot of love, it has better chances of becoming the best, well-behaved dog. Always be dedicated to and passionate about it.
Life With A Husky
The breeding of these dogs conditions them to live in harsh weather, and keeping them is relatively easy. Huskies will thrive and survive in cold temperatures. This means that if you live in a warm area, this dog is not the one you want.
If the dog is not exercised and keeps being fed, it is likely to become obese and overweight. As working and running dogs, Huskies need to flex their muscles around two times every week. If your home has an expansive yard or a big garden, Huskies will like it because it is ample space. If your house doesn’t have space, but you have a local park, it can also suffice. The exercise will help the Husky to live up to an ideal of 14 years.
For them to be good pets, there needs to be a good deal of socialization and training. So, ensure that you give the Husky lots of your time.
The other thing you should know is that huskies shed a lot, but that may be the only caveat since they are spotlessly clean and give out no odor. The Husky has a short coat that doesn’t get matted, and grooming should happen at least twice a week. When shedding season comes, you may have to do more grooming.
These pets are loyal and excellent, but you should never forget that they are both headstrong and stubborn. Instead of wondering if the Husky you bring in is smart, you should check and see if its temperament and personality match yours. If you feel that you can accommodate all the traits that the dog bears, you can now go for one and bring it home.
Questions About Huskies
1. Is A Husky Related To The Malamute?
The Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute are two breeds that are often mistaken, but they are entirely different breeds. The only common thing between the breeds is that they are bred to work as sled dogs and are mostly finding in the northern climates. The one significant difference is about the size, with the Alaskan Malamute being larger. Also, the Malamute pulls heavier loads.
2. I Have Seen Many Huskies Curling Their Tails. What Is The Meaning Of That Phenomenon?
When the dog is relaxed or working, you will find its tail down. When the dog suddenly gets excited, its tail will start curling up. If it is tired and feeling bored, the dog will drag its tails against the floor. Tail wagging is likened to a human mile but can also be a sign of nervousness.
3. Husky Eyes Are Inherent Blue-Eyed. Is There An Explanation For That?
You should know that a Husky’s eyes are not only blue; they can also be other colors. The blue eye depends on the parents’ genetics. Some breeders work to achieve only blue-eyed dogs. The colors of a Husky’s eyes can also be green, amber, or brown.
4. Is There A Further Note On Why Huskies Shed A Lot Of Their Hair?
The coat of a Husky is double-layered – it has a top coat and an undercoat. The shedding happens during Autumn and Spring, and it involves the blowing of the undercoat. Depending on the climate that the Husky lives in, it may only shed once – either in Autumn or Spring.
5. How Can You Describe A Husky To Some?
A husky is a good-natured, affectionate dog that fits well into families. It is very accommodating when it comes to living with other smaller pets, and it also gets along with children well.
6. Do These Dogs Have The Power To Talk?
Keen observation and unique vocal cords make Huskies able to mimic sounds that they hear. So, you may get the impression that the Husky is talking when it is, in fact, just mimicking.
7. Why Does A Husky Produce Sharp Howls?
Basically speaking, a howl is supposed to indicate that the dog needs attention or it is just announcing its presence. The other reason why Husky dogs will howl is when they pick out high-pitched sounds like those produced by musical instruments and sirens. If they are in the company of dogs, they will also howl.
8. Can The Husky Get A Haircut?
Let us just stick to grooming. You should not get the Husky shaved at all costs, even if you feel that the coat is a little too overgrown. Their double coat is a source of protection since it helps to block insects and UV rays. Also, it allows summers to be cool and winters to be warm.
9. I Reside In A Warmer Area, And I Think That Huskies Like Being In The Cold. So, Does That Mean I Cannot Get One?
You can, but hear this: The breeding of the Husky conditions the dog to live and take on harsh temperatures. Huskies that work as sled dogs spend most of their time in insulated dog houses and barns.
If you get your Husky and take it to your house in the warm area, ensure that it spends time outdoors and indoors.
10. Do I Need To Bathe A Husky?
Because their coats are not very oily, you may not need to clean them up too often. This is because there will be little or no odor. If you bathe the dog repeatedly, its skin and fur may dry out.
11. What Is The Diet Of A Husky?
Many Husky owners say that the dog will thrive if you give it raw meats like beef, fish, chicken, and lamb. It can also eat veggies and fruits.
I’m Christopher Benjamin, a dedicated Animal Nutritionist at Ethos Veterinary Health with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Michigan State University. My lifelong passion for animals led me to establish AnimalsData.Com. Here, I share expert advice, educational resources, and inspiring stories to empower fellow pet lovers worldwide. Join our community as we celebrate the beauty and diversity of our beloved animal companions!