Australian Shepherd Husky Mix: A Sassy Addition To Your Family

Yes, the Australian Shepherd Husky Mix is a mix of the Australian Shepherd and the Siberian Husky. Yes, they are sassy, just like their Husky parent. 

This designer breed, as many others, is the result of a trend that was ongoing in the 1990s and early 2000s, when many dog breeders decided to experiment with mixing different dog breeds.

Therefore, it’s no wonder that somebody took this mix into consideration. Mixing additional fluff and sass to the story of high energy levels might just become an even more fun furry companion!

One parent was bred to pull heavy sleds on a long road ahead (read: the Husky), and the other parent was bred to be the perfect herding dog (read: Aussie Shepherd).

Do you see the pattern here? Both of these wonderful pups were bred for stamina, high prey drive, and outdoor activities in general – all in order to be some of the best working dogs the dog kingdom can provide. 

So, don’t come at me when I tell you more about their huge exercise needs and that they are not the type of city-center apartment dogs!

Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Short Overview

Height	Weight	Coat	Shedding levels	Energy levels	Likes kids
18-24 inches	35-55 lbs	long, double coat	high	high	if socialized early

How Does Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Look Like?

The genes that the Aussie Husky inherits might come from either parent, and they can come from a combination of both parents or the more dominant parent.

Because they are bred from two distinct purebreds, crossbreeds frequently have varied physical attributes, and it is pretty much impossible to accurately predict which gene or genes will be received more frequently than the other.

But one thing is for sure—the puppies will still be extremely sweet and affectionate!

In addition to having a thick, weather-resistant double coat, your potential companions are available in a range of primary colors, including black, brown, cream, gray, and white, as well as other tri-color and patch combinations.

Legs, paws, and the region from the chest to the belly will typically be dominated by one hue, while another will dominate the remainder of the body.

This breed’s facial traits include a small nose, triangle-shaped ears, and oval eyes that can be in various colors, perhaps bi-colored if the Husky gene was passed along as the dominant one.

However, keep in mind that this mixed breed can come in a tri-color combination, together with merle, because of the merle gene inherited from the Australian Shepherd parent. 

We can bet on the puppies having the characteristic Husky tail that is long and straight, or curled!

Size

Please note that the size of this mixed dog breed cannot be accurately predicted since this dog breed has yet to set standards for breeders to follow. 

Being a mixed breed dog, the Aussie Husky mix can have dominant traits from either parent dog breed. However, I have been able to set some average size representations based on the height and weight of the two parent breeds. 

The Australian Shepherd Husky mix is a medium-sized dog that can reach a shoulder height of roughly 20 to 24 inches in males and 18 to 21 inches in females.

The average male’s weight often goes around 40 to 55 pounds, whereas for the average female, it is between 35 and 55 pounds. 

And let me give you a little hint – even if they are not a large breed, this breed will have high energy needs! 

Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Temperament

We can only be partially sure of the mixed breed’s personality, temperament, or breed tendencies because this new pet is a cross between two purebreds.

The Australian Husky is a naturally energetic, devoted, robust, and brave breed, which is one of the best traits for dogs. They may seem aloof to strangers, but they are also very loving and friendly dogs in countless ways for their families.

It is crucial that these canines adopt appropriate socialization skills from an early age and are introduced to new people and dogs of different sizes and ages in particular. This may require more social gatherings and extra patience, but it is achievable. 

Your puppy will develop into a gregarious, well-mannered, and well-behaved adult dog if it receives the proper socialization throughout its puppy years.

Regarding the personality, I expect them to have at least a pinch of the Husky sass. Their Husky parent’s personality is so prominent that there is no way they won’t receive at least a bit of their rich personalities, of which there are typical examples in many Husky mixes.

Don’t be surprised if they put their paw on you, telling you to stop doing something or trying to ask for more treats by doing so.

Expect them to enjoy being outdoors, spending time outside doing various activities, such as running, walking, hiking, even herding, or doing some K9 work, such as search and rescue.

Are They Good With Kids?

As previously said, Australian Huskies are highly loving dogs who normally get along well with young children. However, as with any dog, proper socialization training is necessary for these dogs to fit in and be adjusted to small children.

I recommend you research breeds that are known as the best dogs for children. Some breeds should be your first choice if you want to bring a puppy into your family with young children, such as Pitbull terriers, Golden Retrievers, and Boxers. 

You will receive unconditional love from this dog, but unconditional patience… let’s say it depends on various factors.

Some of the most characteristic features that set dogs apart, like being around children from those who don’t, are their kind disposition, ability to be patient, and being kind even if somebody is pulling their ears, tail, or their coat.

A dog that doesn’t care if kids run around screaming would be a bonus. And for an untrained dog breed with a high prey drive, this might be tricky.

It is very important to remember that every dog is unique. Any breed of dog can get along well with kids, depending on their prior experiences. In addition, a dog’s ability to get along with children is greatly influenced by their training and socialization!

All dogs, regardless of breed or type, have powerful jaws and sharp teeth and can bite when mistreated or under stress. Any breed of dog, including small ones, should never be left unattended and should always be monitored by an adult.

Are They A Good Guard Dog?

Thanks to their aloof and cold nature, which is especially seen in their distanced relationship with strangers, this designer breed has a promising start to being a good guard dog.

They won’t be a quiet dog breed since one parent is really loud, often howling, barking, and singing (they are really talented when it comes to voicing their opinions), and the other is not afraid to bark either. 

Therefore, they can also be great alert dogs that would let you know if any stranger walks by, or when such situations are about to happen.

However, since they are active, there might be better options than apartment living. They will be really happy if they have a huge yard where they can explore and roam freely and most importantly – which they can guard. 

Yes, they can adapt to various environments, but the question is – will they be happy?

Because of the high prey drive that we mentioned earlier, this dog will chase just about anything smaller than them if not properly trained. They will be obsessed with tennis balls, I can tell you that – so leash training would be a plus.

It’s important to train dogs so they can suit your needs and wishes. So, to answer your question in short – yes, they can be good guard dogs.

Is It Easy To Train An Australian Shepherd Husky Mix?

Easy-to-train dogs, for instance, immediately correlate the command “sit” with the action of sitting because they understand that compliance brings about a reward, like getting a treat. 

Training becomes simpler and more pleasurable for both the dog and the owner because of the short learning curve that these active dogs have.

If you decide to “specialize” your dog’s work in any way, for example if you want to have a working dog or a guard dog, aside from regular exercise, you will need to implement additional training that is specialized.

It’s important to remember that dogs who have ‘difficulties’ listening aren’t less clever, but their genetic background may have developed a more independent personality (cough, cough, the HUSKY mom or dad). 

Because of their historical function in protecting herds without continual human supervision, certain breeds, such as herding or livestock guardian dogs, have evolved an innate independence. 

Although this independent attitude is a fantastic quality, it might provide difficulties when it comes to teaching commands. They might need a little more tolerance and understanding from their owners because they were bred to think and behave on their own.

How To Take Care Of An Australian Shepherd Husky Mix

As with any dog, it’s important to have regular vet checks for your Australian Shepherd Husky in order to recognize any health issues early on. You can create a care regimen with your vet’s assistance in order to keep your dog healthy.

Australian Shepherd Huskies have a lot of energy but can put on extra weight. So when it comes to training tips, a good place to start maintaining its physical activity is the dog park—being active while socializing (aka, sniffing butts) is a bingo!

Your dog’s ears should be cleaned on a regular basis without any liquid getting inside the ear canal, and its eyes should be wiped as needed with a clean towel. Additionally, check their ears once a week for strong smells or redness.

Cut your dog’s nails once or twice a month to prevent them from getting too long. You can get this done when you take your dog to the groomer. A little help is always welcomed!

Grooming Needs 

First of all, they usually are not recommended to become a family member where there are persons with allergies.

Their double coats are typically medium in length but really dense. They shed a lot. And I really mean a lot. They have double coats, which is double the trouble. Therefore, their grooming needs are not for the weak.

These mixed-breed dogs will need thorough brushings daily, especially in the shedding season. In order to prevent the coat from being deprived of its natural oils, just bathe when necessary, using a light shampoo.

Additionally, it is common knowledge that brushing will help distribute the natural oils throughout the coat, just as it helps when brushing our own hair. 

All weather situations are suitable for these puppies, but particularly cold weather. They have direct Russian ancestry as Siberian Husky parents and experience extremely cold winters. Therefore, there are better options than hot weather for them.

A dog home that is in a city center apartment in a hot weather region won’t do justice for this dog breed. Husky dog parents know how much more they enjoy being in moderate climate areas where snow is not imaginary. 

Exercise And Energy Levels

The Australian Husky mix is highly spirited, has a strong prey and herding drive, and is happiest when active or exercising. If this breed is kept both mentally and physically busy, it can make an excellent working or family dog.

Although it is highly energetic, has stamina, and enjoys working, it is not recognized as an aggressive dog. If bored or left alone for extended periods of time, it may become mischievous or destructive because of the separation anxiety that the Aussie parent brings to the table.

Aussie Huskies are highly energetic and need two or more hours of exercise daily, and they are not recommended for dog owners who are unfit to handle a dog with such high energy levels.

Food & Dietary Requirements

A diet for Australian Shepherd Husky puppies should be designed for a medium-sized, high-energy breed. Your adult dog’s food intake is determined by size, age, and metabolism.

The nutritional requirements of an Australian Shepherd Husky will change as they grow older, just like with any other dog. 

At first, you will need to give them at least two to three smaller meals a day, and as the dog grows and reaches its adult phase, it is recommended that the dog has one bigger meal a day, and maybe a smaller one if they have been really active that day. 

Because there is too much diversity among dogs regarding weight, energy, and health, you should consult your veterinarian for advice regarding the Australian Shepherd Husky diet.

You should definitely opt for a protein-based diet and add some components or raw food. 

Is The Australian Shepherd Husky Mix A Healthy Dog Breed?

While the majority of dogs have good general health, certain breeds may be more susceptible to particular health problems. Genetic predispositions can lead to diseases, including hip dysplasia, cancer, or heart problems. 

Be aware that not all dogs of a specific breed may experience these health issues. Instead, their danger is merely higher than that of other large breeds.

If you’re thinking about bringing a dog or puppy into your home, you should look into the common hereditary diseases that are connected to the breed (including the parent breeds of the breed) you want to adopt. 

Finding more about the parents and other family members of the possible puppy’s physical condition can be helpful. This information will help you identify probable health concerns and make sure your new furry family member has the greatest possible start in life.

It’s important to discuss your dog’s nutrition with your veterinarian. They might offer perceptions and suggestions for particular requirements to support maintaining a healthy weight. 

In addition to health problems, gaining weight can worsen diseases like arthritis and result in new issues if untreated. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight in your dog is essential to their longevity and general well-being.

Can This Dog Fit Into Your Lifestyle?

This Australian Shepherd Husky mix enjoys tasks, exercise, and having some kind of purpose.

If left alone on a regular basis, they could nibble on, chew, or destroy anything since they can get quickly bored. Thus, keep them occupied to avoid the big fuss of buying new furniture.

Dog drool won’t be a thing with this dog breed since both parent breeds are neat and tidy in this sense.

Regarding the suitability of dogs such as this one, they can behave well in different environments, but it would be preferred to have a house with a large yard since it loves to run around. 

If you live in an environment of extremely hot weather, this medium-sized dog is not the right fit for you. Their dense, double coats will prevent them from living easily in such places. A cold weather at least per one season kind of climate is the best for these mixed breed dogs.

They will enjoy being your companion for hiking, running, walking, and playing! Provide them with enough mental and physical stimulation, and you will get a well-balanced dog for an active family or an active individual.

Remember to talk with a breeder you feel comfortable with and who you trust. If you want to get some information about Australian Shepherd breeders fromthe UK, this is your way to go!