The Husky Poodle mix is achieved by crossing a Siberian Husky with a Poodle, and these dogs are often referred to as a Siberpoo, Huskapoo, Poosky, or Huskydoodle. This unique hybrid generally has the furry body of the Poodle and the sturdy build of a Husky, which results in a beautiful dog that has a great disposition. Since they are generally such happy, friendly dogs, they’ve become a popular choice for people looking for a fun, friendly pet for the entire family. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect from the temperament, appearance, health, and more if you choose a Husky Poodle mix for your next pet.
Origin and History
Designer dogs like the Husky Poodle mix have become very popular within the past 20 to 30 years. However, there’s not a lot of information surrounding the origins of most designer dogs, including the Siberpoo. To better understand these dogs, it’s a good idea to look more closely at the origins and history behind the parent breeds.
You may be surprised to learn that the Poodle was actually bred to be a working dog – a water retriever. It’s thought that the breed descended from the Hungarian Water Hound and the Barbet. While these dogs are often clipped for the sho rings today, originally the dense coat of the Poodle was shaved to offer better speed in the water. Long before the 18th century, the Poodle was a popular dog across all of Europe, and particularly in France, Germany, and Spain. These dogs have long been known for being athletic, easy to train, and extremely intelligent.
The Siberian Husky is a very old breed that was developed in Siberia to be a sled dog, since it was the only transportation mode for the local Chukchi people. The goal was to create great sled dogs that were non-aggressive, excellent at pulling heavy sleds, and able to achieve great speed at moderate distances. Eventually these dogs would be imported to Alaska, where they were used as sled dogs as well, often in competition. In 1930 the American Kennel Club accepted the breed, and the dogs went on to be used in the Byrd expeditions in Antarctica as well as in World War II.
Appearance
Expect the Husky Poodle mix to be a fairly large dog, measuring between 13 and 22 inches tall and weighing between 45 and 60 pounds. These dogs usually have a round head, small dark eyes, and ears that tend to hang down. The body is strong and sturdy, and they have a double coat that may be either curly and wiry or silky, long, and wavy. The most common coat colors include brown, black, and white, although these dogs may have markings that appear on their faces or chests.
Husky Poodle Mix Temperament
You’ll find that a Husky Poodle mix is generally very friendly and cheerful, but they do require plenty of attention. If they are left alone too long or neglected, they may become destructive. These dogs are very intelligent, so you need to make sure that your Siberpoo gets plenty of mental and physical exercise to prevent boredom. Since they love people and they are very friendly, they do make great family pets.
These dogs love to be active, so they need to be exercised each day. They aren’t well suited for small apartment living. Play time, toys, trips to the park, and daily walks or runs are essential for these dogs. Since they enjoy swimming and being in the water, taking them for swims is a great way to keep them active. While the Husky Poodle mix is extremely smart, the hybrid can be sensitive and stubborn, so training needs to be short, positive, fun, and engaging for the best results. Early training and socialization are essential.
Grooming
The amount of grooming needed by a Husky Poodle mix will vary, depending on the type of coat they end up with. If they have a coat that is more like a that of a Poodle, it may require daily brushings to eliminate snarls and regular clipping or trimming. This type of coat will not shed very much, which is helpful. If the dog has a coat closer to that of a Husky, then it will need to be brushed several times a week and will shed a bit more than a Poodle’s coat. These dogs usually only need to be bathed as needed. Nails should be clipped if they get too long, ears should be checked and cleaned weekly, and you’ll need to keep their teeth brushed several times each week as well.
Working Roles
Generally, the Husky Poodle mix is used just as a pet and isn’t known to have any working roles.
Health
In most cases, the Husky Poodle mix will live a long life of between 10 and 13 years. While these dogs are generally quite healthy, they can end up with some of the health problems that are concerns for the parent breeds. Some of the potential health concerns for the Siberpoo include:
- Von Willebrand disease
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Hip dysplasia
- Patent ductus arteriosis
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Patellar luxation
- Epilepsy
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Renal disorders
- Osteochondritits dissecans
- Hypothyroidism
- Crystalline corneal opacity
- Juvenile cataracts
- Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome
- Chronic superficial keratitis
- Nasal depigmentation
- Basal cell tumor
- Oral eosinophilic granuloma
- Perianal gland adenoma
- Nasal den pigmentation