Alaskan Husky

In contrast to its pedigree relatives, the Alaskan Husky was frowned upon amongst sledge dogs for a long time. However, the image of this hybrid has improved – with good reason. Read here how the Alaskan Husky has gained recognition despite not being an official dog breed.

Appearance: Diverse and unique at the same time

With the name Husky, most dog lovers think of round blue eyes and tousled black-and-white fur. However, the Alaskan Husky generally doesn’t fully meet these widespread expectations. Due to its origin from various crossbreeds, the Alaskan Husky is extremely versatile. 

Whilst most Alaskans have blue eyes, there are some with brown eyes. You can also choose between dogs with prick or lop ears.

How big is an Alaskan Husky?

Alaskan Huskies generally reach a shoulder height of 50 to 60 centimetres. There are some dogs with an athletic physique weighing less than 20 kilograms. In contrast, others fit the more typical image of a Husky and reach up to 50 kilograms in weight.

Sex also determines a dog’s size, with males usually bigger than more petite females.

Which colourings are there?

You can also expect great variety in terms of the colour of Alaskan Huskies. You can find brown, white, black or agouti dogs.

In contrast to the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Husky doesn’t usually have a typical white facial mask. The fur of this special lineage is also slightly finer, but is sufficient for cold snowy days.

Character: Both family and racing dogs

Thanks to its tolerance and modesty towards humans, an Alaskan Husky is suitable for both sporty singletons and families with children. It goes without saying that they should be old enough to understand how to treat animals with respect.

Friendly dogs with a strong hunting instinct

However, you as the adult should take the lead on walks. Running rabbits or deer can often make these friendly dogs with a strong hunting instinct take off like a rocket. Since poaching or chasing free-roaming dogs is a punishable offence and not least induces sheer terror in wild animals, you as a dog owner should have sufficient strength to keep this heavy dog breed on its lead.

In order to avoid such situations, you should of course also rely on good dog training. The good thing is that although the Alaskan Husky is sometimes stubborn, it is intelligent. It loves its pack and is happy to accept newcomers. Hence, it doesn’t make a good watchdog.

Purchasing: Where do I find an Alaskan Husky?

Huskies are very popular dogs due to their beauty, but unfortunately, this quality doesn’t benefit all Huskies. As an interested party, you can soon fall victim to dubious traders who sell sick puppies on the street or from cars.

It’s important that you look into reputable breeders before making a purchase in order to put an end to this. Some animal homes or animal welfare organisations regularly rehome Huskies that have become homeless.

How much does an Alaskan Husky cost?

An Alaskan Husky puppy costs at least 1,000 euros if you go to a reputable breeder. The price of an older dog is usually based on different factors, such as age or colouring. In contrast, you can usually get older dogs from an animal shelter for a low nominal fee.

However, don’t forget that you will face further costs when buying a dog. This doesn’t just include the costs for basic equipment (e.g. food bowl), but ongoing costs for dog food, vaccinations and veterinary examinations.

Conclusion: Is an Alaskan Husky right for me?

Although an Alaskan Husky is a very good family dog, it demands plenty of your time and attention – especially compared to less active dogs like the English Bulldog. If you are aware of this and enjoy adventures with your canine friend, an Alaskan Husky is made for you.