Huskydoodle

Quick Take

• Huskydoodles are often marketed as hypoallergenic, though that label comes with a catch most buyers don't notice until it's too late. Check the shedding details →
• Their intelligence is supposed to make training easier, so it raises the question of why so many Huskydoodle owners hit a wall. See why training gets tricky →
• Leave a Huskydoodle alone too long and you may come home to a very different house. Here's what owners need to know before they commit. See the separation anxiety con →
• There's a specific nutritional ingredient that can directly combat this breed's most common joint problems, yet most owners overlook it. Explore the key nutrients →

The Huskydoodle, aka the Huskypoo, belongs to the hybrid group. This dog is a result of breeding a Siberian Husky with a poodle. The history of this hybrid can be traced back to the 1980s, when breeders began to make what was referred to as ‘designer dogs.’ Huskydoodles possess the best characteristics of both huskies and poodles.

Siberian Huskies shed a lot of hair, while poodles shed very little. So, breeders combined these two breeds to create a friendly, intelligent dog with a low amount of shedding. These pooches are smart, affectionate, energetic, and loyal.

Different Types of Huskydoodles

There are 2 types of huskydoodles. The size of a huskydoodle depends on whether a husky was bred with a miniature or standard-size poodle.

• Miniature Huskydoodle
• Standard Huskydoodle

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Huskydoodle

Size and Weight

Huskydoodles are medium-sized dogs that grow to be an average height of 20 inches tall at the withers. Furthermore, this mixed breed can weigh as much as 60 pounds fully grown. At 7 weeks old, a Huskydoodle weighs an average of 9 pounds. They are fully grown between 12 and 18 months.

Common Health Issues

Whether it’s mixed or purebred, every dog deals with some common health issues. One common health issue for a Huskydoodle is allergies. Allergy symptoms include excessive scratching, biting, and red patches of skin. Allergy symptoms in Huskydoodles can be aggravated by a variety of things, such as pollen, different types of food, carpet cleaning solutions, and even shampoo. Having the dog tested at a vet can pinpoint different types of allergies.

Another common health issue is patellar luxation. The condition, patellar luxation, happens when the kneecap moves out of place. This can cause the dog to limp or have other range of motion issues. Surgery may be needed depending on the severity of the condition. A third issue is elbow displacement. Elbow displacement occurs when the bone and joint are separated. It can cause lameness and may require surgery.

The most common health issues with Huskydoodles include:

• Allergies
• Patellar luxation
• Elbow displacement

Temperament

A Huskydoodle has an affectionate, playful personality. They are intelligent and alert. One of the most prominent traits of this dog is its high energy level. They like to run, jump, and explore their environment.

A socialized Huskydoodle is likely to fit right into a family with older children. However, these dogs are less reliable around very young children, especially if the kids don’t know how to interact with a dog gently. Socialized Huskydoodles know what type of behavior is acceptable in a family’s household.

How to Take Care of a Huskydoodle

Taking proper care of a pet Huskydoodle is a lot easier if an owner has learned about this hybrid dog. Reading about a puppy or adult dog’s unique dietary, grooming, training, and exercise needs can increase an owner’s confidence in caring for this canine.

The Best Dog Food for Huskydoodles

Not surprisingly, a Huskydoodle puppy requires a different type of diet than an adult dog. Consider the following factors when planning meals for your Huskydoodle:

Huskydoodle puppy food: Protein is essential in a Huskydoodle puppy’s diet. It contributes to the healthy growth of tissues and muscles. Protein also supports healthy skin and fur. This is important for a breed prone to allergies! Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the brain development and healthy vision of a Huskypoo puppy. Calcium promotes strong bones, which can help head off the elbow and knee issues of this breed. Having access to clean water at all times supports this dog’s healthy digestion at any age!

Huskydoodle adult dog food: A limited amount of carbohydrates supplies this dog with the energy it needs while not adding excess weight. Protein in an adult dog’s diet continues to support healthy tissue and muscle. Vitamin A supports the dog’s vision, and Omega fatty acids contribute to healthy skin and hair. Glucosamine is excellent for supporting the joint health of a Huskydoodle as well as increasing flexibility. Glucosamine can help specifically with elbow and knee issues.

Maintenance and Grooming

How much do Huskydoodles shed? Though they are sometimes referred to as hypoallergenic dogs, Huskydoodles do shed. However, the amount of hair they shed is very little.

This dog has a relatively easy grooming routine. It needs to be brushed just 2 times per week to remove dead hair from its coat. A wire brush with plastic tips on the ends of its bristles is a good grooming tool for this dog. This brush makes it easy to get rid of any mats in its poodle-like, short, curly coat. A grooming glove is another helpful tool when gently brushing the dog’s legs and face.

Since these dogs are prone to allergies, brushing them once or twice per week can give an owner the opportunity to examine their skin. Scratching, red areas of skin, or even bleeding can all indicate the presence of allergies.

Training

Both poodles and Siberian huskies are intelligent dogs. So, it’s no surprise that Huskydoodles are intelligent! Along with being intelligent, they have an independent streak. This part of their personality can make obedience training a challenge. Conducting short training sessions with lots of praise can help a Huskydoodle to fully learn the lessons.

Huskies are known to be a little challenging, while poodles are easy to train. So, the difficulty level of training a Huskydoodle depends on whether it has more poodle traits or more husky traits in its DNA.

Exercise

Both puppies and adults have a lot of energy to burn. They need 60 or more minutes a day of exercise to stay in great health. They are explorers, so walking in the woods or walking the trails at a local park are both good ideas. This dog can also get great exercise with a rowdy game of fetch or chase in the backyard or a field. Going to a dog park is fine as long as the dog is socialized.

This hybrid breed is large and rambunctious. Consequently, apartment living is not suitable for it. They need lots of space just for daily living.

Puppies

Puppies have a lot of energy. As soon as they can get around, they want to explore the sights and smells in their environment. This makes it all the more crucial to give Huskypoo puppies space and time to exercise every day.

Children and Huskydoodles

When it comes to the children in a household, these dogs do best with older children. Older children understand better how to interact with these energy-filled canines. Plus, in the course of running and jumping around, a Huskypoo may (unintentionally) bump into a toddler or young child, causing him or her to fall.

Dogs Similar to Huskydoodles

Breeds similar to the Huskydoodle include Goldendoodles, Airedale terriers, and Cavapoos.

• Goldendoodle: A Goldendoodle has a friendly, affectionate temperament like the Huskydoodle. However, a fully grown Goldendoodle weighs more than a Huskydoodle.
• Airedale terrier: An Airedale terrier has the same short, curly coat as a Huskypoo. It is about the same height as a Huskypoo and has a high energy level. One notable difference is that an Airedale terrier has a long head and ears that stand up.
• Cavapoo: The Cavapoo is another poodle mix. It sheds very little and has a loyal temperament. However, the Cavapoo is smaller in size than the Huskypoo.