Positive and Negative Traits in Siberian Huskies

Bred by the Chukchi people in Northern Asia, the Siberian husky is famous for its endurance and prowess as a sled dog. According to the Siberian Husky Club of America, in 1925 teams of Siberian huskies helped pull shipments of medication to Nome, Alaska, and saved the lives of diphtheria-stricken residents. Though bred to work, Siberian huskies are adaptable and can make good pets for owners who understand both their positive and negative personality traits.

  1. Affectionate

    • One positive quality of the Siberian husky is its loving nature. Huskies are social dogs and require human or animal companionship. Be warned, though, that they can be shy around strange dogs, though they typically get along well with other family dogs. They crave affection and thrive in a family setting where they can be included in family activities. Gentle with kids, they are a good choice for families with young children. If you are looking for a guard dog, then this affection can be a mark against the Siberian husky. They may look intimidating, but they are friendly to everyone and will welcome strangers with a happy tail-wag and open paws.

    Intelligent

    • Siberian huskies learn quickly. They respond well to positive reinforcement training techniques and can be taught basic obedience commands, tricks and even canine sport competition. Don't try to bully or use heavy-handed training techniques and punishments on a husky. This can cause your husky to resist training, lose respect for you or even trigger fear and aggression. There is a downside to the intelligence of a Siberian husky as well. They are independent and stubborn, and will not respond to a command if they do not respect their owner (no matter how well-trained they are). Siberians will often weigh the consequences of obeying a command. If obedience does not seem to be in their best interests at the moment, they may not obey. Rewarding obedience and appropriate behavior will help you earn the respect and obedience of your Siberian husky.

    Energetic

    • A Siberian husky's energy is also a double-edged sword. For an active owner, huskies make ideal jogging companions (in cooler weather) and enjoy vigorous walks, hikes or swimming. They are playful and enjoy spending time with their humans in the yard chasing a tennis ball or other toy. It is essential for an owner to get a husky enough exercise every day, however, because Siberian huskies become bored quickly, and when that happens they can become destructive. Some huskies instinctively howl, chew and dig, and these behaviors can become worse if the dog is bored. Huskies also need to have access to different toys, chews and bones to keep their sharp minds occupied.

    Roaming

    • Bred to travel long distances, Siberian huskies love to roam. They are talented escape artists and must be kept in a well-fenced yard when they are outside. A husky that escapes is not necessarily trying to escape. It simply wants to explore, or it may be lonely if it is left alone for too long. This is unacceptable behavior, however, as leash laws, traffic and even your neighbors can put your husky at risk. This instinctive behavior is difficult to change, so don't get a Siberian husky if you can't provide a fenced-in yard for it to play in.