When someone asked me what it's like to have a husky, I told them it's unlike having any other dog - and I've had many over my 45 years: shi-tzus, poodles, labs, dobermans, Australian kelpies, and Australian cattle dogs. I explained that owning a husky is a bit like living with a mildly brain-damaged wolf. This description isn’t too far off evolutionarily; it helps put things into perspective: huskies are more "wolf-like" than most other dogs. That's why my family jokingly calls them derpwolves.

Thus, huskies are incredibly maddening, stunning, affectionate, and high-maintenance dogs. Due to their challenging nature and that HBO series which we won't mention, a significant number of huskies have unfortunately been surrendered to kill shelters. Before you commit to offering one of these large, furry nutjobs a forever home, here are some things you should be aware of..

Huskies shed.

A lot.

Brush them at least twice a week, but it's still not enough. Accept that husky hair will find its way into every part of your life, including your office attire. You'll need to vacuum and sweep more frequently. Seeing husky hair tumbleweeds in every corner of your home is just something you'll have to live with. It's a good idea to invest in a company that produces lint rollers. Some folks even use the reverse function on their shop vacs to blow the fur off their huskies when they shed their coat in the spring.

Huskies can be challenging to train because of their stubborn streak, but this does not mean they lack intelligence. In fact, they're highly intelligent and require mental engagement. If they are left alone without interaction, they will find ways to entertain themselves, often causing destruction. Their high prey drive leads them to treat soft objects like prey, shaking them vigorously until the stuffing flies out. This behavior is ingrained in their nature. If you're not around and they're bored, your belongings are likely to suffer. Plus, if their toys aren't extremely durable, they won't last.

Huskies are high-energy working dogs designed for continuous running, so they need a way to release that pent-up energy. They generally require a task to stay occupied. Your responsibility is to find an outlet for their energy. Whether this means plenty of running, spending most of your time at home to engage with them frequently, or providing the company of another husky to play with (either inside or outside), it's vital to be conscious of their energetic nature and ensure they have ways to channel it. Additionally, huskies are very social and "pack" oriented. If no one is home with them most days, it's essential to have a companion, ideally another husky. Why is this important? Because they are natural mischief-makers and will find ways to entertain themselves if left alone.

Or else.

Recall the "slightly brain-damaged wolf" concept? A part of having that wolf-like nature involves an urge to hunt small creatures. This includes cats, rodents, and even small children if they're not familiar with them. For instance, when Loki was just six months old, he swiftly caught and killed a squirrel in no time. There are frightening tales of huskies that have lived with cats peacefully for years, only to one day unexpectedly attack and eat their feline housemate.

People with cats are usually advised against getting Huskies. Being informed beforehand is always beneficial.

From what I've observed, Huskies tend to be more possessive over their food and toys compared to other breeds. If you bring home a Husky puppy, it's crucial to practice techniques to prevent food aggression as they grow. There are some helpful videos available to guide you through this process. However, this is one of those situations where, to avoid getting bitten later, you need to start early and continually reinforce the training, even if it takes a few extra minutes each day.

Likewise, if you train them using a crate, it becomes their personal den. This area is theirs, and they may become possessive of it and the items inside. It's important to apply many of the same methods used to address food aggression to help them learn not to be territorial about their "spaces".

Imagine a sci-fi movie where an alien race deliberately breeds another species on their planet to become increasingly less intelligent, more obedient, and to inherently revere their alien overseers. This subjugated species idolizes their masters with complete and utter devotion, living solely to please them. It would be an incredibly frightening and horrifying scenario. But, in reality, that's what we've done with most dog breeds. They genuinely do idolize us, showering us with affection and constantly seeking our approval and attention.

Huskies, however…

Huskies aren’t exactly the type to seek our constant validation. They show affection when they feel like it. While they enjoy being nearby, they don’t need to be glued to your side. Imagine that introverted friend who finds comfort in just sitting next to you while they play on their Nintendo Switch in the living room; that's how Huskies are with affection. They appreciate us but see us more as close roommates. It makes sense we’ve never heard of a husky serving as an emotional support animal.

Since they aren’t driven by a need for your approval, training them becomes more challenging. When they're not in the mood, it can be difficult to find what will spur them into action – especially due to point 7….

Huskies can be quite selective about their food. Ours definitely fit that description. Why is this the case? I'm not entirely sure, but I think it might be because they possess stronger survival instincts compared to other dog breeds that are more distantly related to wolves. Wild creatures generally exhibit more caution with their food, particularly when encountering something unfamiliar (rats, for instance, can spend over 10 minutes examining a new food source).

They might sometimes munch on odd things such as mulch, grass, or even socks, which can lead to upset stomachs. To handle dog diarrhea in these cases, have rice, boiled chicken, and pumpkin ready to feed them.

Eww.

So, you'll need to switch up their dog food and figure out which treats really get them excited during training. They definitely won't be doing it just to make you happy, hooman.

Huskies, even though they might seem a bit distant, really thrive on a lot of social interaction since they are pack animals. They love it! Plus, it can help direct their energy away from destructive behaviors (although it's not a foolproof solution). Consider getting two: choose ones that are around the same age but not from the same litter, and it’s better if they are of opposite genders. This helps to avoid litter-mate syndrome. For us, bringing in another husky for our first one to play with significantly reduced his destructive tendencies. Trips to the dog park can be beneficial too: most of the time they instinctively know how to "dog" (i.e., they understand how to interact with other dogs and can read their social cues).

It might sound surprising, but we've discovered that having more huskies actually means less work. This is because they keep each other company, which reduces the negative behaviors that stem from loneliness.

Our huskies, who were already named Thor and Loki when we got them. Seriously.

More so than many other young dogs, huskies have a tendency to latch onto objects and people using their mouths. This can involve tugging on sleeves, pant legs, or pretty much anything they can sink their teeth into. Many new husky owners are often startled by how much their puppies seem to "bite." When they're in this playful stage, be sure to have a collection of items handy to swap out with whatever they're nibbling on (for example, switching your sleeve with a knotted rope). The bright side is that with proper training, they will eventually outgrow this habit.

Huskies are unique in their vocal expressions compared to other dogs. They howl, garble, growl, groan, whine, and they might even say “no” to you. They typically don't bark much. While this isn't usually a problem, it's something you should keep in mind.

Huskies are astonishingly strong, fast, and agile dogs. However, as mentioned above, they can also be incredibly destructive and easily bored. This makes them notorious escape artists, capable of breaking out of a dog crate, crawling out of a window, and then effortlessly leaping over a 4-foot-high privacy fence. Their exceptional skills sometimes motivate people to train them for agility competitions. However, their lack of desire to please humans and corresponding difficulty to train leads to hilariously mixed results. (Click the links, seriously).

If your backyard fence is under 5 feet, you need to keep an eye on your husky. One of the main reasons young huskies get injured or killed is by escaping and getting hit by cars. This is why I strongly advise getting your husky “chipped.” While perimeter fences and collars can help, they are not foolproof.

Huskies are well suited for snowy environments. Their fur provides both warmth and cooling, and their skin is sensitive to sunlight, making it important to avoid shaving them. Bathing isn't necessary either, as natural oils in their coats maintain skin health. The multiple layers of a husky's coat each have distinct roles, working together to keep your dog warm, cool, shielded from the sun, and protected from parasites. Essentially, avoid trimming your husky unless there's a significant medical reason.

To determine if it's safe to leave a husky outside, use the rule of 100: if the temperature in Fahrenheit plus the humidity percentage exceeds 100, it's best not to let them stay out for long unless they choose to (we have a doggy door for this). When the combined heat and humidity reach 120, they should remain indoors except for bathroom breaks. This means reserving long walks for the cooler mornings and evenings during the summer.

Some huskies really enjoy splashing around in a kiddie pool to beat the heat, and they'll joyfully fling water everywhere during the summer. They also have a knack for spilling all the water from the dog bowls at the dog park, only to then roll around in the resulting mud while blissfully ignoring the shouts from other frustrated dog owners.

Huskies are ideal for crate training since they have a tendency to be quite destructive, and you surely wouldn't want any midnight mishaps with your cat. These escape artists need to be introduced to crate training early on, with positive associations such as being fed in the crate. It's important for the crate to feel like a secure haven for them. There are also plenty of useful videos available to help you successfully crate train a husky.

However, due to their large size, intelligence, and high energy levels, these dogs don't do well in crates for extended periods, like when you're at work. That's actually how we came to adopt our husky, Thor. His previous owner left him confined in a crate for 8 hours each day while they were at their job. As a result, he became neurotic and started starving himself, weighing only 38 lbs when we took him in.

In brief, huskies are capable of sleeping overnight in a crate and can stay there for several hours if the house is empty, but they shouldn't be confined for extended periods.

Huskies tend to engage in rougher play with other dogs, often catching them off guard. They behave much like young wolves, with plenty of growling, snapping, neck biting, leaping, pawing, and chasing. While it might look alarming to those unfamiliar with their style of play, it's essentially play fighting. However, seasoned dog owners can usually discern when it's harmless fun and when it becomes serious. It's also important to teach Huskies that such rough play isn't appropriate with humans, even though they do enjoy a good game of chase.

Huskies are like that laid-back roommate who wakes up, sees a burglar in the house, realizes nothing of theirs is being stolen, and just goes back to sleep. This means they make terrible guard dogs. They're not particularly territorial or aggressive unless it involves their own things in their own spaces. They’re also usually friendly with strangers at first but quickly lose interest if the person isn’t doing anything engaging. So, unless you keep your jewelry in the dog crate or if burglars are keen on stealing rawhide chew toys, a husky isn’t the best choice for home protection.

Got a backyard? Is it spacious enough for lots of running, jumping, wrestling, chomping, and exercising? That's perfect for huskies!

Got a backyard full of grass and other vibrant plants that you want to keep thriving? That's a bit of a challenge. All that running around, playing, and munching can quickly wipe out your greenery, leaving your yard looking barren.

Our backyard. It was also planned to be the landing site for Apollo 18.

Huskies have quite the reputation for digging. Imagine your yard looking like the surface of the moon, dotted with craters large enough to hide a lunar lander. If your yard holds a special place in your heart and being a contender for Better Homes and Gardens Lawn of the Year is something you cherish, a husky may not be the best fit for you.

Unless you intend to prevent them from ever stepping on the grass. (Seriously, who would be that unkind?).

Around 15 years back, I realized that the way I described parenthood was enough to dissuade people from wanting kids for a few additional years. Similarly, following this rundown of the challenges that come with owning a husky, who in their right mind would want one? Here’s what I love about them..

To begin with, they are stunning, and their fur feels incredibly soft to the touch. There's nothing quite as soothing as stroking your cozy companion beside you in the evening. Their faces are remarkably expressive, and unlike several other dog breeds that don't catch my fancy as much, there's always some kind of activity happening in their minds. Even if it's sometimes plotting..

We heard you've got hot chocolate, hooman. The vet's lying. It's good for us.

Despite their efforts to appear independent, it truly upsets them when you leave them by themselves or take their pack mate for a walk without them.

Thor sat patiently, anticipating Loki's return from his walk.

There's a special thrill in being so near to an animal that understands and likes you; you can sense the presence of their ancient Pleistocene ancestors in their gaze. It gives off a genuine "Julie of the Wolves" feeling.

If you enjoy running, a leash-trained husky will make the perfect companion. Just saying the word “run” will have them dashing to the door, sitting patiently, and waiting for you to clip on the leash. No matter how great a runner you believe you are, your husky is even better. These dogs are bred to haul hundreds of pounds over vast distances, and then wake up the next morning ready to do it all over again. For huskies, the final stretch of the Iditarod is just like any other Monday. Running with you is their job, and it’s a role they relish—it brings them both purpose and joy.

We also adore our huskies because of their strong independence and the way their personalities are so easy to relate to on a human level, more so than many other dogs. As my spouse described it, it’s easier to “respect” a husky compared to most other dogs. In many respects, they feel more like companions or friends rather than traditional pets. Their inherent dignity makes them even more endearing and amusing when they let loose and fully embrace their inner derpwolf without a hint of shame.

Derpwolves in their natural state

In many respects, they’re like the Ferraris of the dog world. Stunning to look at. Costly. Demanding. Exceptional performers, whether they’re lounging at home or competing in races (they excel at both!). Forget about getting them groomed. Each dog has its own unique personality. You develop a special bond with them, entirely different from your connection with a Honda Civic, for all these crazy, delightful reasons. And almost no one ever regrets getting one if they knew what they were getting into beforehand.