Pet Adoption Website partners with a number of Husky focussed rescues which means we always have a selection of these gorgeous animals available. We spoke with one of these rescues to get more information on Huskies and find out more about their ideal homes. Jo, along with her daughter Jenny have rehomed dogs for years through their charity “Husky Salvation” in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Although they do also help other large breed dogs, it is the Huskies that hold a special place in their hearts.

Hi Jo, I don’t know much about Huskies, but my first thought on having one as a pet would be that it would need lots of exercise - how much exercise does a husky need?

Hi! Huskies have been bred to have high energy levels and they require a lot of physical activity to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. They should ideally have at least one hour of vigorous exercise per day, such as running and playing.

They have such a lovely coat, how much grooming do huskies need?

Because of their thick, fluffy coats, huskies require regular grooming to keep them clean and healthy. They should be brushed at least once a week, and more often during shedding season.

Shedding season?

Huskies have a light summer coat and a heavier winter coat. They will shed their coat twice a year – in the spring and in the autumn – and shedding takes about 3 weeks. There is a double coat consisting of a soft thick inner layer and then an outer layer that is longer and repels water. Huskies use their double coat system to regulate their temperature and they should never be shaved; the coat can help them stay cool in the sun and without it they can quite easily get heat-stroke.

What kind of training do huskies require?

They are very intelligent dogs but can be stubborn and some initial effort in consistent and firm training will go a long way. They should be trained using positive reinforcement techniques and, where possible, socialized from a young age to ensure they have good manners around other dogs and people.

Are Huskies good with children?

Huskies can make great family pets, but they do require proper training and socialization. They should be supervised around young children, as they can be big and boisterous and may accidentally knock over small children.

Are huskies prone to any health issues?

Less so than many other breeds – the best sled dogs to go into the middle of nowhere need to be healthy, so good health has been bred into them! Minor issues sometimes seen with them are hip dysplasia and cataracts. It is important to keep their weight down or they can develop health issues from being overweight (can’t we all!).

Their eyes are particularly beautiful but we’ve noticed often they don’t match in colour?

Having eyes of two different colours, heterochromia, is extremely rare in humans but occurs frequently in Huskies. Parents with two blue eyes can produce offspring with mismatched eyes, or eyes that both have the same colour. We’ve even had a few dogs who had two colours within one eye!

Is there anything else a potential adopter should know before applying?

So much depends on the individual animal. If someone has done a little research (reading this is a great start!) and read the info on the dog’s profile page then there shouldn’t be any surprises. Of course, I’ll chat to any potential adopter too and try to ensure the dog and the family are a good match for each other. The one thing I’d maybe add is that because they tend to not only be big and boisterous dogs but to also have a sense of adventure, they are prone to escaping and wandering off: so an extra secure area for playing is important.

Do they howl at the moon?

Haha, they aren’t actually wolves even though Hollywood uses them in place of them.

Fine, do they at least love the snow?

Yes, that one is absolutely true! They are in their element.

You can see the dogs available for adoption from Husky Salvation at: https://www.petadoptionwebsite.com/charity/husky-salvation