Husky Poodle Mix

The Husky Poodle mix, also known as the Huskydoodle, is a designer dog breed that has gained popularity in recent years. This hybrid dog combines the best traits of its parent breeds—the Siberian Husky and the Poodle—resulting in a unique and lovable companion. In this guide, we will delve into the characteristics, care, and appeal of the Huskydoodle, helping you understand why this breed might be the perfect addition to your family.

The Origins of the Huskydoodle

The Huskydoodle is a relatively new breed in the world of designer dogs. It is the result of crossbreeding a Siberian Husky with a Poodle, typically a Standard Poodle, although Miniature Poodles can also be used. This intentional mixing aims to combine the desirable traits of both parent breeds, resulting in a dog that is intelligent, energetic, and hypoallergenic.

Physical Characteristics

1. ** Size and Weight: The size of a Huskydoodle can vary significantly depending on the size of the Poodle parent. Standard Huskydoodles typically weigh between 45 to 60 pounds and stand 20 to 25 inches tall. Miniature Huskydoodles are smaller, weighing around 20 to 40 pounds and standing 15 to 20 inches tall.

2. ** Coat and Color: One of the most appealing features of the Huskydoodle is its coat. The breed often inherits the hypoallergenic, curly coat of the Poodle, which can be a boon for allergy sufferers. The coat can come in a variety of colors, including black, white, gray, brown, and a mix of these. Some Huskydoodles also inherit the striking blue eyes of the Siberian Husky, adding to their unique appearance.

3. ** Build: Huskydoodles typically have a well-proportioned, athletic build. They may have the lean, muscular physique of the Husky, combined with the elegant, refined features of the Poodle. Their ears can be either erect like a Husky’s or floppy like a Poodle’s, adding to their diverse range of looks.

Temperament and Personality

1. ** Intelligent and Trainable: Both Siberian Huskies and Poodles are known for their intelligence, and the Huskydoodle is no exception. This breed is highly trainable and enjoys learning new tricks and commands. Early and consistent training is essential to ensure that they develop good behavior and manners.

2. ** Energetic and Playful: Huskydoodles are energetic dogs that require plenty of physical activity to keep them happy and healthy. They love to play, run, and explore, making them great companions for active individuals or families. Regular exercise, such as long walks, hikes, and playtime, is crucial for this breed.

3. ** Affectionate and Social: Huskydoodles are known for their friendly and affectionate nature. They thrive on human interaction and enjoy being part of the family. This breed typically gets along well with children and other pets, making them an excellent choice for households with multiple animals.

4. ** Independent and Curious: Inheriting traits from the Siberian Husky, some Huskydoodles may exhibit an independent streak. They are curious dogs that love to explore their surroundings. This trait can sometimes lead to a bit of stubbornness, so patience and consistency in training are important.

Health

Mating two different purebred dogs means that the designer dog’s genetics are more diverse, and with most things in this world, with diversity comes strength! The Huskypoo will enjoy a lifespan of 10 to 13 years, and he is a generally healthy dog similar to his parents. Because the Siberpoo is a relatively new designer dog there are no breed specifications for him yet, and so the best way to understand what he may be prone to is to look at the health of his parents.

It is recommended that the Poodle parent should undergo a hip evaluation in order to score his hip joints, which determines whether his hip joints are abnormally formed, for if they are, it will cause him painful arthritis as he grows older. He should also undergo an Ophthalmologist evaluation, which tests for a variety of eye conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. The Siberian Husky should also undergo a hip evaluation and as well as an Ophthalmologist evaluation.

There are also a number of other tests that the Poodle Club of America recommends in addition to the above two, which can be found here. The Siberian Husky National Breed Club has outlined their above recommended tests, which can be found here.

Nutrition

The Husky Poodle Mix will eat around 2 ½ cups of food a day, dependent on his size and energy levels. Be sure to feed him food that is tailored to large high energy dogs and follow the package instructions. If you are in any doubt then speak to your Veterinarian, and he can advise you specifically about what to feed your pup.

Be sure not to feed the Husky Poodle mix immediately before or after excessive exercise, as this can cause bloat which is a life-threatening condition that affects both the Poodle and Husky.

Grooming

This is entirely dependent on what type of coat the Huskypoo inherits from his parents. Generally, however, the average Huskydoodle will require weekly brushing to keep his coat healthy and manageable and to catch any dead hairs that may otherwise find itself on your clothes; two to three times a week will be adequate for this guy. If he inherits the Poodles wiry and curly coat, then you should also invest in a wire brush, as this will prevent those tight curls from matting.

After bathing the Huskypoo ensure that you thoroughly dry him, as dampness can cause skin irritation and sores that will require ointments and treatment. A bath every 6 to 8 weeks will suffice, and other grooming such as nail trimming and ear cleaning should be similar to any other pup. Be sure to check him over every time that you brush him, as this is the easiest way to spot any abnormalities or problems.

Puppies

The price of a Huskypoo puppy from a reputable breeder will start from $700, if you stumble across a breeder that is selling him for less than this, then walk away. Puppy mill breeders are likely to sell the pups for a much cheaper price in order to entice prospective breeders in, advertising them as super healthy pups. The reality is that they do not care for their health whatsoever and are only interested in making a quick buck.

As Family Pets

• The Huskydoodle is a sociable dog who loves his entire family.
• As he is such a sociable dog, making him a terrible guard dog.
• He will get on well with older children, and he will be very fond of them.
• He is not suited to a family with young children merely because of his size and bouncy nature.
• As long as he is socialized with other dogs and other animals from a young age.
• The Huskydoodle must be placed with an active family who can provide at least 60 minutes exercise.
• He is a very intelligent pup who will need to expel his mental energy.
• He should be placed with a family that can provide him with mental stimulation.
•  The Huskypoo is intelligent and stubborn and as such he will need a firm master.
• A master who can keep him engaged, and for this reason he is not for the novice dog owner.
• Despite his Poodle parent being hypoallergenic the Huskypoo is not.

Finding a Huskydoodle Breeder

If the Huskypoo ticks all of your boxes then the next step is to find a reputable breeder. The best way to kickstart your search is to look for breeders using an online search engine. You can then ring breeders directly, get a feel for them and their business, and read reviewsonline. It is important to find out if they are reputable and ethical and ask to see his parents and their health certificates. If the breeder refuses any of this then walk away.

Another great way is to speak to breeders of either the Poodle or the Siberian Husky, and whilst they may not know any Huskypoo breeders themselves, they are likely to know someone who does and they will happily find this information out for you.

Rescue & Shelters

As the Husky Poodle mix is a relatively new designer dog it is very unlikely that you will find one of these guys in the rescue centers. If you are certain that you want to adopt a Siberpoo then the best way would be to speak to or visit dedicated rescue shelters of the Poodle and the Husky, for if there is a Huskypoo for adoption the likelihood is that he will be in these shelters. The Poodle Club of America list breed specific rescue centers, as does the Siberian Husky Club of America.

Final Thoughts

The Husky Poodle Mix is a gorgeous dog, and whilst his nickname may not be the most agreeable sounding name, he is a pleasure to have around the home. He is very loyal, and he loves his family so much that he cannot stand you to leave him alone for too long.

As long as you can give this guy the attention that he needs, and the thought of genetic uncertainty excites you, then the Huskypoo is a fantastic family choice.