Huskies are one of the most intelligent and independent breeds of dog. They’re beautiful to look at and always up for fun, making them an ideal pet for many families.
Despite their large stature and wolf-like appearance, Huskies are social and friendly with people of all ages, including young children.
This guide will take an in-depth look at what it means to own a Husky alongside raising kids, including the positives as well as the potential negatives that parents should be made aware of.
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Temperament
Huskies have an even temperament, meaning you won’t have to worry about them suddenly switching moods or becoming volatile. Their friendly, good-natured personality helps them get along with pretty much everyone, including small children.
They very rarely bark at trespassers, so there’s no risk of them frightening your kids with sudden bouts of loud barking.
Be mindful that if you’re introducing a baby or a small child into the home, try and introduce the concept to your Husky beforehand. While they can adapt to any situation a lot quicker than most other breeds, it’ll still help the process.
Huskies are incredibly reliable dogs, and have plenty of energy to match your child’s – even older Huskies can still be puppies at heart. They have a lovable excitement for life, so even if they’ve been on a beach walk a thousand times before, each time will feel like their first.
Huskies With Kids
In the same way that kids have to learn the difference between right and wrong in the early years of their life, dogs are the same.
When it comes to raising kids and Huskies at the same time, the best methods are those laced with mutual respect. Your child needs to learn how to treat and respect your Husky, while on the other hand, your dog needs to learn how to behave appropriately around them.
For kids, it’s essential they understand that pulling, tugging or grabbing a Husky isn’t the best way to treat it. On the flip side, Huskies need to learn that nipping, biting and jumping isn’t good behavior.
Compared to most dog breeds, Huskies are big in size. Females typically range from 50-56 cm in height and 16-23 kg in weight, whereas males are a little taller at 54-60 cm and weigh slightly more around the 20-27 kg mark.
All things considered, Huskies are huge compared to a young child, who is often only half that weight. Therefore, while playing and interacting with one another is a good way to strengthen their bond, be ready to step in if the play turns overly physical.
Huskies With Infants
As noted above, children can be prepared and adjust their behavior for Huskies. However, infants are considerably more vulnerable and can’t do a whole lot.
Your Husky will still want to express their love and affection towards your infant, but it’s essential that you train them how to behave appropriately around your newborn.
So, if you’re expecting and you have a Husky, it’s definitely worth taking measures to ensure they’re prepared for the new addition in the home. Failure to do so can cause them to be jealous about the surprise new arrival.
It’s also worth noting that you shouldn’t leave your infant on the floor alone with your Husky. While they’re extremely unlikely to show any aggression towards it, they could potentially injure the baby by trying to play with it.
Needs Of A Husky
In addition to the love and kindness that every dog needs, Huskies have other needs that you, as their owner, need to be prepared to provide for.
Attention – Huskies require a significant amount of attention. If they’re not given enough, they’ll find ways to entertain themselves, which often include mischievous behavior that’s against what you’ve taught them in order to get your attention.
Physical and mental exercise – Huskies have tons of energy to expend so you’ll need to adopt a lifestyle of vigorous physical and mental exercise. This can be achieved with a leash, by playing with them, and even mushing (a transport method, usually a sled, powered by your Husky).
The best way to keep your Husky active and mentally stimulated is to include them in family activities. When they’re bored or unable to expend their energy they can become mischievous and destructive, so it’s vital you keep them busy with plenty of exercise.
If you want your Husky to be kept busy and ensure they get along with your kids, it’s important that they spend a good amount of time with each other. Listed below are some of the best examples of this:
- Training – you can get your kids involved in the training of your Husky to provide them with confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Your pooch can get some treats for their efforts too.
- Sports – this is one of the simplest and most effective ways of letting your kids and Husky play with each other. Some of the best activities are hiking, soccer and running.
- Water activities – both kids and dogs love playing in water. Splashing around in a small paddling pool or running through a sprinkler are just a couple of popular choices.
- Crafts – you can get your Husky involved in some crafts. For example, you can encourage your child to decorate their water bowl or collar.
- Fetch and tug of war – both of these are classic activities that are great for burning energy and really exciting for your dog and kids.
- Pet-friendly parks and beaches – these are ideal locations for your kids and Husky to run around, have fun, and wear each other out.