Everything You Need to Know About the Pomsky - A Complete Guide to This Unique Breed
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The Complete Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Care Guide
The Australian Shepherd Husky mix is an affectionate, energetic breed that is ready to shower their families with love and devotion.
They love playing and running around in the great outdoors.
However their mischievous playful nature makes them better suited for experienced owners who are able to devote lots of time to them.
If you think that you will be able to devote the time and energy towards training them, keep reading to find out more…
Contents and Quick Navigation
- What is a Australian Shepherd Husky Mix? (Overview)
- Pros and Cons
- Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Appearance
- 5 Fun Facts About The Australian Husky
- Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Personality and Temperament
- Caring for a Australian Shepherd Husky Mix
- How to Train a Australian Shepherd Husky Mix
- Quick Breed Summary Table
- Summary
What is a Australian Shepherd Husky Mix? (Overview)
An Australian Shepherd Husky mix is a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Siberian Husky.
They are an active, loyal and protective breed.
These dogs were first bred in the late 1990s in North America to be a strong and healthy companion.
Hailing from two working breeds this mix can be used for various purposes including service, rescue, guard, herding and therapy dogs.
Their temperament can vary but they are typically very affectionate with their families and aloof around strangers.
- Overview: Hybrid (Australian Shepherd/Siberian Husky).
- Purpose: Companion.
- Weight: 40-60 pounds.
- Size: 18-25 inches.
- Temperament: Energetic, mischievous, affectionate and loving.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Known to be very intelligent breed.
- Can pick up basic commands quickly.
- Gets along with children and other household pets.
- This breed can work as a great watchdog.
- Can keep up on long hikes or runs.
Cons:
- Can have an independent streak.
- Very high energy breed.
- Prone to boredom and destructive behavior.
- High shedding (not good for those with allergies).
Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Appearance
Due to their young lineage there are no official appearance standards.
This breed typically takes the physique of the Siberian Husky with the thick, double coat of the Australian Shepherd.
You can expect them to have triangular shaped, floppy ears, a narrow muzzle and alert curious oval eyes.
They can appear in a wide range of colors and are typically bi-colored.
Coat and Colors
This breed can come in a wide combination of colors.
Their coat colors can range from brown, black, white, cream and gray. Their chest and belly is typically one color and their face and back is generally another color.
Some even have the prized mottled look – this is where they have various spots of a different color on an otherwise solid coat.
As for their coat you should expect a dense, medium length double coat.
Their coats are highly weather resistant making them suitable to live in various climates. However this means along with occasional daily shedding, they will shed their thick undercoat twice a year. If you have allergies look for a breed that sheds less or is considered to be hypoallergenic.
Height and Weight
This Husky Shepherd mix is a medium sized dog.
You should expect them to stand between 20-24 inches tall and weigh between 40-60 pounds.
5 Fun Facts About The Australian Husky
- Both their parents (the Australian Shepherded and the Siberian Husky) are working dogs.
- Other names for this breed include the Aussie Siberian or the Australian Husky.
- They are prone to stubbornness just like one of their parents (the Husky).
- Due to their high intelligence they can pick up basic commands quickly.
- They are known for being great watchdogs, but can also be great service, rescue and therapy dogs.
Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Personality and Temperament
Their temperament can be highly unpredictable due to them being a crossbreed.
To understand their possible temperaments we need to understand their parents’ temperaments.
- Australian Shepherd: They are full of energy and can be prone to boredom – this means they need a lot of mental stimulation. They are super playful and are good around children and other dogs.
- Husky: They are also a high energy breed that require lots of exercise and mental stimulation. However unlike the Australian Shepherd, the Siberian Husky is known to have some behavioral issues that can eventually become problematic to new owners. They can exhibit an independent streak which can cause stubbornness.
What does this mean for your Australian Shepherd Husky Mix?
You can expect a highly intelligent dog.
Australian Huskies are a protective and active companion that is full of energy and devotion to their owners.
This is a dog that needs to be kept active
They should not be left alone for long periods of time because they can express their pent-up energy in destructive ways (such as chewing and howling).
Shepherd Huskies are independent dogs that will not want to lay down and cuddle.
Is An Aussie Husky Mix A Good Family Dog?
This breed is great for active families who are able to spend lots of time with them.
Caring for a Australian Shepherd Husky Mix
This dog has high demands in terms of care.
Along with being highly energetic and requiring lots of physical stimulation, they also have high grooming demands.
Remember if this dog is not physically and mentally stimulated they will engage in destructive behavior such as howling and chewing.
The Australian Shepherd Husky mix is generally not a breed for new owners due to their hyperactivity, destructive tendencies and stubbornness.
This breed is a good companion for people who are very active.
Exercise Requirements
This breed requires a lot of physical stimulation.
Husky Australian Shepherds need at least 2 hours of exercise per day and just love long walks.
Activities such as hiking, long jogs, or playing fetch will also help to burn energy.
They are known to be chewers, so investing in toys that allow them to chew is a way to minimize boredom. They also need lots of space to run around during the day, so a large backyard is helpful.
Just make sure the garden is properly fenced as this breed is prone to escaping.
- Number of Walks Per Day: 2.
- Total Exercise Needed Per Day: 90+ minutes.
Grooming and Shedding
Due to their thick double coats you can expect them to shed a lot.
Brushing is essential and needed at least 2-3 times a week (minimum).
Their eyes need to be cleaned regularly with a cotton ball or microfiber cloth with mineral oil to remove debris.
Ears will also need to be cleaned regularly.
As for their teeth, use dental chews as they are susceptible to tartar buildup.
Feeding and Diet
This breed needs around 4 cups of kibble, split evenly twice a day.
Things to look for in their food include good sources of quality protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs. A quality protein should either be the first or second ingredient. Good sources of quality protein include poultry, beef, pork and fish. Healthy fats are good sources of omega 3 and omega 6.
Their nutritional needs will vary with their age. Adults need food that are 18% protein and 5% fat, whereas puppies require foods that are 22% protein and 8% fats.
| Calories Per Day: | Cups of Kibble Per Day: |
|---|---|
| 1600 | ~4 |
Known Health Problems
Typically conditions that this breed suffers from includes: Hip Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Elbow Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Cataracts.
How Long Do Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Live?
This breed had an average lifespan of 10-13 years.
How Much Do Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Cost?
You should expect to pay between $600-1,000 for an Australian Shepherd Husky mix puppy.
How to Train a Australian Shepherd Husky Mix
Your Australian Shepherd Husky mix will require lots of attention and training.
The good news is that they are an intelligent breed and can listen and pick up on commands easily.
However unfortunately this mix is known for having a stubborn streak.
They will need a strong, consistent training regimen.
A good training regimen for this breed must have lots of mental and physical stimulation.
Their training can include giving them lots of jobs such as them picking up toys or retrieving things on command.
Chew toy training will help them turn their destructive behavior of chewing as a way to keep them mentally stimulated throughout the day.
Use lots of positive reinforcement and continue to reinforce all the way through adulthood. If you are unsure about your ability to train this breed, look into enrolling them in an obedience school or finding a breed that requires less training.
Finally, remember it is very important that they receive proper training and socialization.
Socialization is important because they can become aloof or reserved around strangers and may even start barking at unfamiliar faces. They also can be nervous larger dogs so lots of exposure from a young age will help.
Quick Breed Summary Table
| Breed Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Size: | 18-25 inches. |
| Weight: | 40-60lb. |
| Lifespan: | 10-13 years. |
| Coat: | Medium length, thick double coat. |
| Color: | Tan, brown, white, cream and tan. |
| Do They Shed: | Yes. |
| Temperament: | Energetic, affectionate and loving. |
| Intelligence: | High. |
| Socialization: | Needed as a pup. |
| Destructive Behavior: | Can chew or howl when bored. |
| People Skills: | Affectionate with family, but aloof with strangers. |
| Good with Children: | Great. |
| Activity Levels: | High. |
Summary
This breed is best suited for families that enjoy the outdoors. When properly socialized they are good around children, other pets and strangers.
Inexperienced owners may struggle with training this breed due to their high energy levels, stubbornness and destructive tendencies.
Experienced owners who are able to match this breed’s energy levels will fare better.
Remember they need consistent exercise and lots of mental stimulation.
If this sounds like you then consider getting an Australian Shepherd Husky mix.
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