An honest love letter disguised as reasons to choose a different dog.
Every year, thousands of people fall in love with the Siberian Husky.
It’s easy to understand why.
They look like wolves, move with effortless grace, and have eyes that seem to carry an ancient memory. They’re undeniably beautiful.
Unfortunately, many people fall in love with a husky before they understand what it’s actually like to share their life with one.
This article is my attempt to help.
If, by the end, you decide a husky isn’t the right companion for you, I’ll consider that a success. But if you find yourself smiling and thinking, “That sounds exactly like the kind of dog I’ve been looking for,” then perhaps we’ve discovered something even better.
If you love a spotless house…
White isn’t just a colour. It’s a decorating theme.
Huskies shed. Generously.
Soon you’ll become familiar with little white fur bunnies collecting under the furniture and decorating your favourite black sweater.
If that thought horrifies you, there are many wonderful breeds that shed far less.
For me, it’s simply the price of admission.
If you’re committed to being a couch potato…
Some personal trainers have four legs.
A husky delights in movement.
Forest trails. Fresh snow. New smells. New adventures.
I’ve always loved walking. Frostie didn’t create that love; he simply made every walk more interesting.
If you’ve been looking for a joyful reason to spend more time outdoors, a husky has an uncanny way of making healthy habits feel like fun.
If you’re hoping for an intimidating guard dog…
Looking fierce and being fierce are two very different things.
At first glance, his wolf-like appearance can be wonderfully intimidating. Someone with bad intentions might well decide I’m not worth bothering.
But if you approach him in a relaxed, friendly way, you’re usually met by a broad husky grin, curious eyes, and an eager invitation to make a new friend. He may lean against your leg, gently put his head in your lap, or flop onto his back in hopes of a belly rub.
He looks fierce.
He isn’t.
Many huskies are wonderfully sociable.
If your dream is a dog whose primary job is keeping strangers away, this probably isn’t your breed.
If blind obedience is high on your wish list…
One of the most misunderstood things about huskies is their independence.
Many people call it stubbornness.
I don’t.
For generations, huskies worked in harsh northern climates where a lead dog sometimes had to make life-or-death decisions. They were bred to assess danger and use their own judgement.
That’s part of what I admire most about them.
If intelligence fascinates you more than unquestioning obedience, you may be looking at exactly the right breed.
If you’re looking for an easy dog…
A bored husky quickly invents their own entertainment, and you probably won’t enjoy their ideas as much as they do.
This isn’t a breed that’s content to spend day after day alone in the backyard.
They want to participate in life with you.
They need exercise, interesting places to explore, and the stimulation that comes from sharing life rather than watching it from the sidelines.
If you need complete control…
The best relationships are conversations.
When Frostie was young, I used to panic whenever he disappeared over the next hill during our off-leash walks in the ravines of Etobicoke Creek.
Then one day I tried something different.
Instead of constantly looking for him…
…I quietly hid.
Within a few minutes, he came racing back, scanning the trail until he found me.
From that day forward, something changed.
Rather than making it my responsibility to keep track of him, he made it his responsibility to keep track of me.
I’m certainly not recommending this with a newly adopted dog. Trust takes time to build.
But that moment taught me something I’ll never forget.
Living with a husky feels less like giving orders and more like having a conversation.
Sometimes I choose the direction.
Sometimes Frostie has the better idea.
Just yesterday, in 37-degree heat, he spotted the quickest route to the creek and led us straight to the water.
He wasn’t being difficult.
He was paying attention.
I was happy to follow.
If your home includes cats, rabbits or other small pets…
Huskies often have a strong prey drive.
That doesn’t mean every husky behaves the same way, but it does mean you should respect the instincts they’ve been bred with.
Love isn’t enough.
Compatibility matters.
If you’d rather not talk to strangers…
Some dogs attract attention. Huskies attract conversations.
Before Frostie, I could walk through a park without speaking to anyone.
Those days are long gone.
Children ask to pet him.
Dog lovers stop to chat.
Complete strangers tell me stories about the husky they once loved.
Some of my closest new friendships began with nothing more than someone saying,
“What a beautiful husky.”
If you believe life is richer because of the people we meet along the way, don’t be surprised if your husky quietly introduces you to your next friend.
So… why would I choose a husky?
After everything I’ve written, you might think I have mixed feelings about this breed.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
I wouldn’t dream of owning another breed.
To me, the Siberian Husky is the closest living reminder of our ancient partnership with the wolf. Beautiful, intelligent, playful, independent and deeply connected to the natural world, they still carry something wonderfully untamed while choosing to share their lives with us.
They don’t simply obey.
They participate.
That’s exactly what I was looking for.
I don’t want a dog that simply follows me.
I want a companion with whom I can share an adventure.
My life is richer because of Frostie.
I’ve explored trails I might never have discovered.
I’ve met wonderful people who have become genuine friends.
I’ve spent more time outdoors.
I’ve laughed more.
I’ve become healthier without really trying.
The best relationships don’t ask us to become someone else.
They invite us to become more fully ourselves.
That’s what living with Frostie has done for me.
There is no perfect dog.
There is only the dog that’s the right fit for you.
The qualities that make a husky difficult for the wrong person are exactly the qualities that make them extraordinary for the right one.
A Final Word
As it happens, Frostie and his beautiful white Siberian Huskymate, Bianca, recently welcomed seven gorgeous puppies into the world.
They’ll be ready for carefully chosen forever homes around Labour Day.
I’ll admit it—one reason I wrote this article was to introduce them to the world.
But even more importantly, I wanted to help them find the right people.
I’m not simply looking for families who want a puppy.
I’m looking for families who understand the life they’re choosing.
If you recognize yourself somewhere in these words, I’d love to hear from you.