All You Need To Know Before Getting A White Husky
The Siberian Husky is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It’s no surprise that this energetic purebred is on your mind, as it ranks number 14 out of 197 on the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular dog breeds. There’s a reason you don’t see many white Huskies around your area; they are an uncommon breed.
With a rise in popularity, the white Husky is somewhat of a rarity today. If you’re thinking about joining this elite club by owning one, there are a few different things you need to consider before making that final decision. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering an White Siberian husky.
Overview
The White Siberian husky is a purebred from Siberia. It’s a sled dog, and its ancestors were used to carry goods over large distances during the winter months. The white Husky comes from the same family as the Alaskan Husky, but it has been bred for its color rather than performance.
White Siberians are usually born in litters of black, grey or white pups. They are not always pure white but have a slight cream color to them. The White Siberian husky has striking blue eyes and is very similar in appearance to the Alaskan Klee Kai, another purebred from Siberia.
White Siberian Husky grows to 20 to 24 inches with 35 to 60 pounds. Their lifespan on an average is 12 to 14 years. White Siberian huskies suffer from health issues such as:
- Dilute coat color (blue eyes and pale or cream-colored coats)
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Eye problems such as cataracts and retinal dysplasia
- Blood-clotting disease (von Willebrand’s disease)
- Digestive problems such as malabsorption syndrome
- Cushing’s Syndrome
- Hereditary myopathy.
White Husky – Origin And Temperament
The Siberian Husky is a dog breed originating in Siberia. The Husky was created as a multipurpose sled dog by the Chukchi people thousands of years ago. He served many purposes for the Chukchi people, including hunting dog, protection dog, and a loyal friend. Today, Huskies are still one of the most widely recognized sled dogs.
There are many different breeds of Husky, but the Siberian Husky is by far the most widely recognized. The Siberian Husky falls into the working breed category, along with other famous dogs such as: German Shepherd Golden Retriever Rottweiler Border Collie Beagle Dachshund Boxer Yorkshire Terrier Labrador Retriever
The Siberian Husky is considered to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. They are known for their friendliness, patience, and loyalty. However, like all breeds, they need to receive proper training early on! Without proper training and socialization, your Siberian might become more difficult over time. That is why it is recommended that you train your Siberian with a pack leader mentality. If you can establish yourself as the leader, then they will be more responsive to your needs!
Siberians enjoy spending time with people and other animals. They are well known for their friendliness, patience, and loyalty. The Siberian Husky loves to be around children! However, they should never be left unsupervised with small children due to their size. Although the Siberian is friendly, you should socialize them early on so that they can get along better with other animals and people.
Husky owners know that their furry friend loves to run. They are very athletic, but don’t need constant activity like some breeds. Siberians can do well in apartments as long as they get regular exercise (30-60 minutes every day). However, you will need to make sure that your Husky has enough mental and physical stimulation while you are away. If your Siberian does not get the mental or physical activity they need, then they might become destructive around your home.
With Children
The white Husky is one of the most sociable and friendly dogs around. His lively, mischievous attitude makes him an ideal buddy for children. He’s kind and fun-loving, and he’ll love having youngsters to play with. However, it’s vital to remember that all dogs have the potential to develop behavioral problems, which can lead to accidents. Siberian Huskies are just as prone to this as any other breed, so it’s vital to introduce them to children at an early age and be sure they socialize well with each other.
With Cats
The Siberian Husky is not cat-friendly by nature, but he can learn to coexist with a pet cat if introduced to them at a young age. His high prey drive can make him a danger, so it’s important to protect your cat from him and teach him not to chase. He might see a feline as prey if they run, so he should never be left around the family cat without supervision – even once he’s been properly socialized with them!
With Other Dogs
Because of his friendly, people-loving nature, the Siberian Husky is not generally aggressive towards other dogs. He’s sociable and playful, making him a great family dog for owners with dog-friendly pets. However, he has strong pack instincts (thanks to centuries of breeding as a sled dog!), which can make him dominant and difficult to handle around other dogs. It’s important for him to be introduced to non-canine pets at a young age so he grows up knowing that they’re not his playmates!
With Strangers
The Siberian Husky is extremely friendly with strangers, which means he’ll never be aggressive towards people. He loves meeting new people, so you don’t need to worry about teaching him to be cautious around strangers. This also makes it easier for owners who are looking for a watchdog – they’re not known as the most effective watch dogs! However, he does growl and act protective over his family if an unfamiliar person invades his space or gets too close to them.
It’s important to socialize him early on with strangers, but it’s equally as important not to leave him unsupervised with guests.
With Smaller Animals
The Siberian Husky’s high prey drive makes him a threat to smaller animals that run from him. He’ll chase them if given the slightest opportunity, so it’s important to protect your smaller pets from him when he’s in the same room. A Siberian Husky isn’t a good match for a home with hamsters or guinea pigs!
Training and Socializing A White Husky
The white Husky is no exception to the rule that all dogs need a good deal of training and socialization. Despite his reputation as a sociable and kind dog breed, he may still suffer from behavioral issues if not properly socialized and trained. The following are some of the most common behavioral disorders in the breed owing to insufficient training and socialization:
- Chasing cars and trucks
- Being too vocal with a lot of howling and barking.
- Chewing
- Digging
- Leash pulling
- Aggression
- Marking
- Resource guarding
Socialization
It’s the earlier the better to start socializing your white Husky puppy. The vets may advise waiting until your dog is completely vaccinated before taking him out much, you can still do several things at home to help him learn socialization easily. Once vaccinated, take your white Husky with you when you go for walks or otherwise as much as possible, and stop by to have him meet people of all ages, skin colors, clothing types, and genders. This is an excellent time for you to give your dog treats so that he associates new people with good things!
You may also want to consider enrolling him in a puppy class so that he can learn how to behave around other dogs!
Training
White Husky dogs are athletic, large-sized breeds. This implies they are strong and powerful, so it’s best to start training your white Husky as a puppy.
Puppies are, by nature, more curious and restless than adult dogs so they require lots of attention. As the owner, it is important for you to enjoy this process otherwise training will be very difficult. You can’t expect them to learn everything overnight, so be patient and never give up.
Training a White Husky is very similar to training other breeds of dogs. It’s best if your dog is trained using only positive reinforcement. No matter what method you use, make sure to be affectionate and show your dog lots of love. Be realistic with the training because the session should not last for more than 30 minutes at a time.
Once your husky become a good listener and obeys with ease, you will be able to teach him some tricky things like playing dead or walking on his hind legs. That’s what we call talented dogs!
White Huskies’ Typical Exercise Requirements
It’s well known that Huskies have a lot of energy. This intense vitality level makes it difficult for those who are unprepared to deal with them. Unfortunately, it results in many Huskies turning up in shelters. However, if you are ready for your dog’s energy, it should not be a problem.
Physical Exercise
It’s important to understand that while white huskies are more domesticated than their ancestors, they still need at least 60 minutes of running per day. Just like humans, dogs cannot live normally without some form of physical activity on a regular basis. It is not enough to take them for a walk twice a day! They will get bored and frustrated without enough physical activity.
Husky puppies need at least three long walks per day in order to get enough exercise. When they are adult dogs, Huskies can run for about 30 minutes every day. If you live near the woods or some place that it’s possible for your dog to run free with no risks of him getting lost, you don’t have to walk him on a leash. In this case, it is even better if you can do some of his training without using a leash. There are lots of dog sports that your white husky can take part in. Providing enough exercise will prevent your white husky from becoming destructive or extremely hyper. If you provide proper exercise, you will be able to enjoy both his company and his loyalty for years to come.
When walking your white Husky, keep in mind that he was bred as a sled dog and so has an underlying urge to pull on a leash. Conventional harnesses that connect to your Husky’s back and fasten to his collar can increase his natural urge to pull.
For this reason, front clip harnesses and other equipment that not only minimize pulling but also make walking more pleasant for both you and your dog are the way to go.
2 Hounds Freedom Harness
The Freedom Harness, as seen above, is one we employ frequently for our Husky clients. The white Husky’s natural urge to pull against pressure on his back is reduced by clipping the buckle to his chest thanks to this harness, which allows for improved control and reduces him from pulling. It also reduces pressure on his chest and throat, making it more comfortable for him.
You can choose the size of this harness depending on your dog’s size, but keep in mind that it should fit comfortably on your white Husky.
Mental Stimulation
Huskies are both active and intelligent. These dogs will benefit from mental stimulation that is provided to keep them occupied over time as working breeds. You may make obstacle courses in your yard to exercise as well as challenge your white Husky. Fetch, hide and seek, and tag are some of the games that your white Husky will enjoy.
Jigsaw puzzles, KONGS, and slow feeders are also great toys that your white Husky will enjoy while you’re busy with work or gone for long periods of time. Even though they have been properly trained and exercised, Huskies might become destructive, as by nature, these dogs are intriguing and naughty.
Crate-training your white Husky might be quite beneficial in reducing anxiety and aggressive behaviors. Experts advise utilizing these methods for dogs that are prone to getting into trouble when their owners are away.
A dog crate would be the best choice for your white Husky if you need to travel with him. However, it should not remain in use for more than four hours at a time. It may reduce the risk of any accidents because this will force your dog to hold his bladder and control his bowels for longer periods of time.
These are some of the ways you can keep your white Husky busy while you are not around to play with him. You should take care to supply proper exercise, mental stimulation, and training in order to prevent any behavior issues. All breeds require attention, but Huskies in particular might become frustrated if they lack enough physical activity.
MidWest Homes Large Dog Crate
The MidWest Homes dog crate above is perfect for large-breed canines like the white Husky. It also includes a divider, which may assist your Husky in adjusting when he’s a young puppy while crate training.
This crate is not only easy to move around with, but it also folds flat for storage. To make your white Husky as comfy as possible, we recommend adding crate pads and bedding to the crate. A crate cover could be an add-on.
Grooming A White Husky
White Husky dogs are recognized for their beautiful, bright white coats. While these coats might attract attention, they may also appear intimidating when it comes to trimming. You could be shocked to learn that the white Husky is a relatively simple dog to groom, even if his coat is weather-resistant and self-cleaning.
One of the most important aspects of grooming your white Husky is to take him for a trip to the vet’s office. The vet will examine his coat and also check for any injuries or lumps that might not be visible upon first glance.
During this time, it is very important that you keep an eye out for ticks and fleas. To help prevent any ticks, you can purchase special collars for your white Husky. The vet might also recommend a monthly treatment that will kill these parasites before they have an opportunity to attack.
It is very important that you brush your dog’s coat weekly when he has white hair. For other breeds, this might not be necessary unless there is a lot of debris or dirt in his fur. Huskies with white coats can be brushed daily to prevent tangles and mats that may become painful during the process.
White husky dogs are one of the easiest breeds to groom, but these self-cleaning coats require more attention than other types do. Brushing will keep your dog’s coat bright and healthy, so it is important to include this step in your daily routine.
The recommended brush for a Husky’s coat is a slicker brush because it helps you gather all the loose fur without tangling the locks on top of his head or behind his ears. You should also have dainty scissors that are meant for trimming delicate areas such as his paws and private parts.
The Furminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool
The Furminator Undercoat Tool is one of our favorite brushes for Huskies or any double-coated breed. This self-cleaning tool is meant to reach deep into your dog’s fur and remove all the built-up hair and trash from his fluffy undercoat.
The Rake is good for a variety of reasons: Not only does it aid in the removal of loose hair and keeping your Husky looking his best, but it also lowers the chance of your white Husky developing skin or coat problems as well as doggie smell.
Bathing or showering your white Husky is not necessary unless he becomes dirty from playing outside in the mud or something equally undesirable. However, it can be done to clean away dirt and debris that may lead to discomfort when he lays down at night. Use a bowl of warm water with a few drops of baby shampoo to clean certain areas.
The nails of White Huskies should be trimmed on a regular basis to prevent cracking and splitting.
Grooming Your White Husky’s Teeth
White dogs are more susceptible to gum disease and bad breath than other breeds, especially if they do not frequently chew on bones or toys made out of rawhide. You may encounter this issue with your white husky because he constantly licks his paws and feet to cool off.
Because of this issue, you should also brush his teeth on a daily basis with special dog toothpaste. If there is insufficient plaque present, your white husky’s breath will not be as offensive as other breeds like the poodle or cocker spaniel might experience.
It is obvious that grooming a white husky can take time and effort, but it will also help you maintain a clean and healthy dog. At the same time, it will make your white Husky appear more stunning as his coat becomes brighter and shinier from proper attention.
Lifespan And Health Issues of White Huskies
Siberian Huskies are relatively healthy and long-lived as a breed. The average lifespan of a White Husky is around 12 to 14 years. The white Husky, like all other white dogs, is no different. However, there are certain genes inherited by white dogs that might lead to certain health problems to be aware of.
The common diseases which may affect White Husky are –
- Hip Dysplasia
- Zinc Deficiency
- Follicular Dysplasia
- Corneal Dystrophy
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Deafness
- Cataracts
- Uveodermatologic Syndrome
- Hypothyroidism
Deafness In White Dogs
Dogs with white coats and, more significantly, blue eyes lack melanocyte cells. Melanocyte cells not only color a dog’s coat and eyes, but also aid with his hearing. The stem cell source from which the dog’s inner ear is formed also produces melanocytes, so if he lacks these cells, his hearing will be affected. It can also result in excessive wax production inside of the ears.
However, not all white dogs are going to be deaf. The vet can give your dog a hearing test called a BAER Test to confirm that he has the piebald hearing gene before treating him. If your dog has hearing loss, unfortunately, veterinary care will cost quite a bit more than regular care as you will have to purchase special collars, ear cleaners, and other devices to help your dog live a good quality of life.
Keeping Your White Husky Healthy
Opt For Health Screening of Your White Husky
According to the National Breed Club, the Siberian Husky should have an Ophthalmologist Evaluation and a Hip Evaluation done. If you want to check for other health defects, ask your breeder if they have had a Canine Degenerative Myelopathy Test conducted on the parents of the puppy you are looking at.
Acquire Only Through A Reputable Source
By being selective about the source of your dog, you can reduce the chances of getting yourself a deaf Husky. Before offering his puppies for sale, a responsible breeder will have conducted health screening on them to identify any potential issues in the breed. If you do get a deaf White Husky, don’t worry. There are numerous resources available to assist you and your dog.
Keep Your Husky On A Healthy Diet
A healthy diet will also contribute to your white Husky’s general health. The best dog food for Husky dogs is one that is designed specifically for your Husky’s age, weight, and activity level. Instead of choosing a dog food with fillers, additives, byproducts, corn, wheat, gluten, or soy, look for a high quality protein source as the first ingredient like the below-mentioned Blue Buffalo dog food.
Blue Buffalo’s All-Natural Blue Wilderness dog food is high in protein and low in carbs and fats. It’s made with top quality ingredients that are ideal for bigger, higher-energy breeds like the white Husky. It has real meat protein, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
You may also buy it in a variety of recipes, making it ideal for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities. We recommend a recipe that is free of poultry for dogs suffering from dietary issues.
Maintain Routine Vet Visits
Last, make sure you keep your white Husky’s appointments up to date. Like people, dogs should visit the veterinarian at least once a year for checkups.
Keeping track of the veterinarian visits is critical to ensuring that your Husky remains healthy and happy. Early detection can help your vet take action before situations become too serious or costly.
If you’re worried about medical expenses for your white Husky, you should obtain pet health insurance, preferably one that covers for his hereditary illnesses too.
An Ideal Home For A White Husky
Are you thinking about getting a white Husky? While these dogs are sociable and loving, they can be overwhelming for new or inexperienced dog owners. Before deciding whether a white Husky is appropriate for you, think about your house type, lifestyle, and schedule.
Housing
When it comes to a white Husky, the greatest place to live is one with a big and securely fenced backyard. We also suggest including a fence that is reinforced below ground to prevent escapes because Husky dogs might be diggers.
Daily Routine
While they’re loving companions, these dogs become destructive if they don’t receive enough mental and physical stimulation. If you have a hectic work schedule, can your spouse or significant other handle this responsibility?
If you feel that you’re not prepared for a white Siberian Husky’s lifestyle needs, it might be best to choose another breed. People with busy schedules will struggle to give him the time and attention that he needs to grow up happy and healthy.
Family Type
An adventure-loving family with kids or other dogs, single persons or couples wanting a dog that is a fantastic exercise buddy are the best candidates for a white Husky.
Where Can I Find A White Husky Puppy Or Rescue Dog?
If you’ve decided that a white Husky is the dog for you, we’re here to assist. Unfortunately, white Huskies are one of the most uncommon hues of Husky available, making them harder to find. You may have to pay more up front, but it might be a wise investment if you have your heart set on a specific color.
If you aren’t interested in purchasing a puppy from a private breeder, consider taking a look at the Siberian Husky Club of America’s Rescue and Rehab Center . The club has several members that operate an independent rescue for this breed. If one is available, you can apply to adopt a white Siberian Husky or request assistance while looking for one.
Actually, it is quite feasible, and all you have to do is spend a little time researching it. Keep in mind that white Huskies are sadly surrendered to shelters at a greater rate than some other breeds, so there’s a good chance the dog of your dreams is waiting for you at a rescue organization. It costs between $250 and $500 to adopt a Siberian Husky.
On the other hand, white Huskies that are bred for companionship are generally more expensive than their male counterparts. Buying a white Husky from a breeder who specializes in companion dogs will cost you between $500 and $1,200. A white Husky bred for working purposes or deemed show quality will set you back significantly more, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
Conclusion
Your white Siberian Husky deserves the best care that you can give him. He is just as worthy of love and tenderness as any other breed, but he does need extra special attention because of his genetic traits. With proper training and education, your white Siberian Husky will grow up to be happy and healthy.
If you follow the advice in this article, you can make sure that your dog stays on track with his health needs. You might even save a few extra dollars for a new toy or a fun trip together!