Known as the Huskypoo, Huskydoodle, Poosky and Siberpoo, the Husky Poodle Mix is a cross between a purebred Siberian Husky and a purebred Standard Poodle.
The Poodle Husky Mix is alert, intelligent and energetic. He thrives on mental stimulation and demands an active lifestyle. If you plan on getting a Huskydoodle you want to make sure that you are able to meet his needs, but more on that soon.
In this guide, we’ll cover all that you should know about this mix breed, history, puppies, temperament, care and more.
Husky Poodle Mix Origin
Table of Contents
- Husky Poodle Mix Origin
- Siberian Husky
- Poodle
- Kennel Club Recognition
- Husky Poodle Mix Puppies
- Cost of a Huskydoodle Puppy
- Finding a Reputable Breeder
- Adopting a Husky Poodle Mix
- Husky Poodle Mix Appearance
- Color and Coat
- Husky Poodle Mix Temperament
- Compatibility with Families
- Training a Husky Poodle Mix
- Things to Note When Training a Husky Poodle Mix
- Husky Poodle Mix Exercise Requirements
- Husky Poodle Mix Food and Dietary Requirements
- Husky Poodle Mix Health
- Poodle Husky Mix Grooming
- Pros and Cons of Getting a Husky Poodle Mix
Like most designer dogs, there is very little information on the Huskydoodle’s origin. All that is mostly known is that it’s a cross between a purebred Siberian Husky and a purebred Poodle. When and where crossbreeding started is still largely unknown. Nonetheless, a brief history of both parent breeds should give you an idea of what to expect with this beautiful mix breed.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is believed to have first appeared in the Chukchi region of Siberia where it was bred as a working dog.
The Husky’s duties mainly involved transporting deliveries by sled with great speed over the icy lands. To do this effectively, the dog had to be a complete package of stamina, strength, and speed.
Over the years, Huskies have accomplished feats that have helped to continually boost their popularity. An example is the crucial role they played in delivering medicine to Nome, saving the entire town from being wiped out by a major diphtheria epidemic.
Today, the breed is ranked as the 14th most popular by the American Kennel Club and remains a well-loved family dog in homes across the world. Some are still used as working dogs hauling their owners and loads across the icy arctic lands.
That said, even though the Siberian Husky is an adored family pet, it is still a pack animal and as such often needs an owner who can and would establish themselves as the pack leader.
The Husky also requires and enjoys high energy activities and could become destructive if he doesn’t get enough exercising activities.
On the whole, he is lovable, mischievous, and usually a gentle canine once the owners learn to overlook their howling; yes, the Siberian Husky loves to howl!
Poodle
The Poodle is believed to have originated in the 16th century in Europe and is widely known today as the flamboyant national dog of France.
Contrary to what his looks would have many believe, the Poodle was originally bred to be a duck hunter in Germany. He was also renowned by hunters for his smelling ability which earned him the additional task of being a truffle hunter.
The smart and lively Poodle comes in three sizes, the standard; measuring about 15 inches or more, the miniature; under 15 inches and the toy usually 10 inches and under. In 2019, the Poodle was ranked by the AKC as the 7th most popular dog breed in America.
Poodles are some of the cleverest dogs you’ll meet which makes them easy to get along with, though it must be mentioned that they can be really sensitive and do not do very well when left alone for long. Even then, they’re trainable and make excellent pets for families with children and also great as companions for single owners.
Kennel Club Recognition
Like all mixed breeds, the Husky Poodle Mix is not recognized by the American Kennel Club and many other national dog clubs. It is however recognized by the following clubs/associations:
- Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
- International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)
- The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
- Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA)
Husky Poodle Mix Puppies
Cost of a Huskydoodle Puppy
Depending on the breeder, you may be able to get a pup for around $850 to $1500.
Finding a Reputable Breeder
Aside from making sure that the pup you’re welcoming home is in good health, you want to make sure that you’re getting an actual Huskydoodle.
It is not uncommon to find breeders trying to pull a fast one on buyers. To avoid this, check the breeder’s reputation and the pedigree papers to be certain that the breed you’re getting is indeed the result of crossbreeding a Siberian Husky and a Poodle, then finally, verify with a vet.
You may also request to meet the parent dogs to give you an idea of his temperament and fully grown appearance.
Adopting a Husky Poodle Mix
Being a relatively new mix breed, finding a Husky Poodle Mix at a shelter at this moment will be a difficult feat. However, you could try looking into rescue shelters dedicated to Poodles and Huskies.
To locate these centers, you can look into the websites of the Poodle Club of America and the Siberian Husky Club of America; the organizations often list out breed-specific rescue centers.
Husky Poodle Mix Appearance
The physical appearance of the Huskydoodle can vary depending on the more dominant parent genes. Generally, though, you can expect the dog to be a blend of the strong muscular build of the Husky parent and the face and furs of the Poodle parent.
The double-coated furs are usually long, thick and wavy, and the colors of the fur may sometimes be inherited from the Siberian Husky or the Poodle.
Like the Siberian Husky, the paws of the Husky Poodle Mix are large which gives them a greater ability to walk through mud and snow.
In size, the Huskydoodle can be a fairly large dog on average since both parents are usually medium to large-sized dogs. He has long legs and is able to run for extended periods if required.
In terms of weight, this mix breed can weigh up 45 to 60 pounds and measure 13 to 22 inches in height.
Poodle Husky mixes have round heads, floppy ears, and small cute black noses. They may also inherit the stunning blue eyes of the Husky, or the multicolor eyes of the Poodle. Again, telling exactly how your Poosky will turn out is almost impossible as they are sometimes an equal combination of both breeds.
Color and Coat
While the coat of the Husky Poodle Mix may vary from dog to dog as a designer breed, it usually maintains the markings of a Husky.
The common fur colors are black, grey and white, all of which are also common colors of both parent breeds. The Huskydoodle could also take on the wide range of colors of his Poodle parent including cream, apricot, red and brown. These colors are much more rare though.
Husky Poodle Mix Temperament
The Huskydoodle is an affectionate, smart and outgoing mix breed that requires lots of attention, they are not the type you want to leave at home alone all day. They enjoy the company of their humans even though they may sometimes form a bond with one particular person.
Around strangers, they’re equally well-behaved and would be friendly towards them once they are accustomed to their scent.
Overall, the Husky Poodle Mix is an intelligent breed, stubborn and mischievous sometimes, but usually non-aggressive.
The Husky Poodle cross can also sometimes be a couch potato, but only until it is playtime again!
Compatibility with Families
The Huskydoodle is great as a family dog. He is loyal, protective and smart. Just everything you’d want a family dog to be.
One thing worth mentioning is that the Husky Poodle Mix will not tolerate poking, prodding or tugging from infants. Unless the kids are aware of how to behave around dogs generally, playtimes with children should be supervised, and socialization with kids should start as early as possible.
Training a Husky Poodle Mix
Since Huskies and Poodles have been bred to be working dogs they are relatively pliable, willing to learn and take orders from their humans. Therefore, undesirable traits or behaviours can be eliminated easily if you begin training from an early age.
From the onset, make sure you set the rules and boundaries to instill in your Huskydoodle a certain level of discipline that he will carry out when he’s fully grown.
Ensure that your Poosky’s training sessions are short, consistent and are based on positive reinforcement. You might consider signing him up for group obedience classes. In these classes, the pup will not only learn to listen to his owners but also learn to socialize with other dogs and learn good manners and etiquette.
Things to Note When Training a Husky Poodle Mix
- Positive reinforcement is essential. Have treats or toys on standby, and be prepared to shower your pup with praise every time he performs the desired command. This helps to reinforce good behaviour as your dog will quickly learn to link the proper behaviour with a positive experience
- Crates are highly recommended for house breaking. Huskydoodles have the tendency to chew and destroy stuff out of anxiety when left alone for too long
- Make sure that the lessons are kept fun and short to prevent boredom
Husky Poodle Mix Exercise Requirements
As a highly-energetic mix breed, the Husky Poodle Mix requires lots of exercise, no less than 60 minutes a day. If you do not enjoy workouts or the outdoors yourself, you may want to consider a less-energetic breed.
Huskydoodles love to run and walk miles on end and they can only get it from an equally outdoor-loving person.
Mental activities for this breed are just as important as the physical ones. Engage regularly in mentally stimulating activities (such as a session of obedience training) with your Poosky to keep his mind busy and his paws out of trouble.
Can’t run with him outside daily but have a home with a large backyard? Perfect! A game of tag or fetch in your big backyard will serve the purpose just fine. But make sure you still create time to take him out for a walk around the neighbourhood.
Husky Poodle Mix Food and Dietary Requirements
Just like with any dog breed, feeding requirements change based on factors such as size, weight, and activity levels. As puppies, Huskydoodles will generally require up to 3-4 cups of high quality kibble daily to keep up with their active lifestyle.
This mix breed has a very sensitive stomach, so unless you want to deal with ear infections and explosive diarrhea make sure to get the highest quality food you can find.
Because the Huskydoodle has a thick coat, supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids are recommended to help to ensure that his coat stays healthy, soft and shiny. Owners may also need to add some glucosamine supplements in their pup’s meals to protect their joints as they grow older.
Husky Poodle Mix Health
Both breeds, the Siberian Husky and the Poodle are usually healthy dogs. But they can still be prone to certain health conditions that the Husky Poodle Mix may inherit.
Proper selection of the parents during breeding on the part of the breeder can drastically cut down the risk of a Huskydoodle developing any of these conditions.
If you’re uncertain of your puppy’s origins due to the absence of documented evidence, you should be on the lookout for the following health problems and report any suspicious signs or symptoms immediately to your vet. Our pets can’t talk, so any physical abnormality or the slightest signs of discomfort should be taken seriously.
Some health problems that this mix breed may inherit from both parent breeds include:
- Chronic superficial keratitis
- Epilepsy
- Patellar luxation
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Nasal depigmentation
- Juvenile cataracts
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Crystalline corneal opacity
- Hip dysplasia
- Renal disorders
- Hypothyroidism
- Chronic superficial keratitis
- Basal cell tumor
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
With adequate care and the right nutrition, Huskydoodles can have an average lifespan of about 10 – 13 years. Some may even live up to 16.
Poodle Husky Mix Grooming
Huskydoodles generally are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Most will have the fur markings of a Husky and the fur quality of a Poodle and this means minimal to moderate shedding.
The top layer of the double-coat also known as the “guard layer” helps to protect the layer underneath while allowing the skin to breathe. The bottom layer, on the other hand, is soft, thick and helps to trap heat.
The Poosky may not require as much shaving or trimmings as the Poodle or the Husky. A thorough brushing session regularly (once a week or every other week) is usually all your dog needs. Regular brushing will prevent the coat from matting, keeps your Huskydoodle looking tidy, and keeps your house free from hair.
In regards to baths, Huskydoodles do not need frequent bathing. Once a month, or once every other month should do it. Excessive bathing will strip the skin of its natural oils and dry it up.
Try to brush his teeth once or twice a month. This is crucial as poor dental hygiene can result in an infection that may, in turn, allow bacteria into the body through the bloodstream. Kidney, heart, liver, and lung problems are some of the possible consequences of poor oral hygiene.
His eye areas should also be cleaned regularly by using wipes to remove any discharge.
Nails should be clipped every couple of weeks so they stay trim and neat. If you hear a clicking noise as your pup walks around, then it is time to trim those nails.
Pros and Cons of Getting a Husky Poodle Mix
In the following lines, we summed up some of the breed’s positive and negative characteristics to help you decide if the Poosky is the right dog for you.
Pros
- The parent breeds are fiercely loyal, a trait they passed down to the mix. This means that the breed makes a loyal companion and guard dog
- The Huskydoodle is smart and active; can make training him relatively easy
- Can live up to 13 years with adequate care
Cons
- Highly energetic, requires lots of exercise and space
- The Husky Poodle Mix may not tolerate poking or prodding by children, so requires supervision until trained
- They can be a stubborn breed. This can make training a little challenging at first
- Aside from the generally “forbidden” dog foods, Huskydoodles tend to have sensitive stomachs and this means that they can’t be fed just about any kibble or wet food. Anything less than a high quality meal could cause severe diarrhea or ear infections. If you aren’t making his meals at home, you’ll have to spend a bit of money on some high quality commercial food
- They’re prone to chronic separation anxiety that could cause them to chew up furniture. Therefore, they can’t be left alone for long periods of time