Husky Lifespan – How Long Do Siberian Huskies Live?

Husky Lifespan – How Long Do Siberian Huskies Live1

As a rule of thumb, the bigger the dog, the shorter its life expectancy. Meanwhile, small breeds tend to live longer. For a medium to large dog, the Husky lifespan of 12 – 15 years is quite good.

There’s a good chance that Huskies will live into their teens. It’s nice to think their heritage as active sled dogs mean they come from hardy stock with good health.

How Long do Siberian Huskies Live?

Even though Siberian Huskies are a medium-size breed that typically lives 10-13 years, they actually have a longer lifespan than most dogs their size.

On average, they live between 12-15 years, and it’s not uncommon to hear of them living to the ripe old age of 16.

When comparing them to similar dogs in their size range. Golden Retrievers only live about 10-12 years while the average German Shepherd lives anywhere from 9-13 years. The Siberian Huskies’ cousin, the Alaskan Malamute, has a shorter lifespan as well — between 10-12 years.

So, if you’re looking for a dog that will be by your side for a long time, a Siberian Husky may be the right breed for you.

How Long Do Alaskan Huskies Live?

The Alaskan Husky is a particularly healthy dog due to their complex genetic mix of various Northern breeds, including the Miniature Siberian Husky and the German Shorthaired-pointer.

Greyhounds and other dogs are sometimes also include in their mix, which contributes to their longevity. Alaskan Huskies have a lifespan that matches the Siberian Husky at 12-15 years.

Husky Life Stages

Husky Life Stages

Your Siberian husky will reach adult size at around 12 months old. Adult canines are considered to be between 1-7 years old. After 7 years, your husky is considered a senior dog.

As your dog ages, you will need to adjust its nutrition and exercise routine accordingly. Each dog ages differently.

So you will need to assess your pet’s individual needs to determine when to start making changes.

What’s the Average Lifespan of a Husky?

As a medium to large breed, Huskies generally enjoy a longer lifespan than large breeds, but this is dependent on factors such as diet, exercise, and even genetics.

The typical husky lifespan of the breed is between 12 and 15 years, although it is believe that some live to 18 years or more. A typical Husky living in good conditions and with a reasonable diet will usually live to 13 or 14 years of age.

Does Dog Gender Affect Husky Lifespan?

Although there is no scientific evidence to suggest that dog gender has any impact on lifespan. Some experts believe that male dogs tend to live slightly longer than female dogs.

This is because males are typically less prone to developing health problems such as cancer and uterine infections. Male dogs also have higher levels of testosterone, which can protect against some age-related issues.

What Factors Affect The Husky Life Expectancy? 

Genetics and lifestyle will play the biggest roles in your husky dog’s longevity. You can support your husky’s health by providing them with high-quality food, fresh water, plenty of exercise, and regular vet check-ups.

You can also help your husky live a long and happy life by socializing them early on and making sure they have a good relationship with you and other family members.

Breeding 

Siberian Huskies

When it comes to husky dogs, genetics and lifestyle will be the two biggest factors affecting their longevity. Here are some of the key factors that can influence a husky’s life expectancy:

  • Choosing a responsible breeder: Selecting a reputable breeder who focuses on health and temperament in their dogs, runs regular genetic health screenings, and socializes their husky puppies from an early age can help reduce the likelihood of your dog inheriting any health issues.
  • Proper diet and exercise: Ensuring your husky eats a nutritious diet and gets plenty of exercise will help them stay healthy and fit throughout their life.
  • preventive care: Regular check-ups with your veterinarian and keeping up with vaccinations and other preventive care measures can help catch any health problems early and keep your husky happy and healthy for years to come.

Genetic testing can’t completely rule out every possible disease that your dog could develop, but it will test for the most common issues that affect Huskies. This information can help you and your vet make informed decisions about your dog’s health and care.

Breeder Certifications

The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers several breeder certification programs to help you find a reputable one. The certifications ensure the breeder performs the AKC recommended health screenings for their breed. 

You can find good breeders without these certifications, but you will have to ask them lots of questions to screen them yourself.

Breeders of Siberian vs. Alaskan Huskies 

Just because Siberian huskies are the only AKC-recognized breed of dog, it doesn’t mean that Alaskan huskies are any less healthy or lovable. It just means that, if you’re adopting an Alaskan Husky, you won’t be able to find an AKC-certified breeder or enter your dog into AKC dog shows.

This is something you should keep in mind when screening your potential breeder.

Overbreeding 

Siberian Huskies Live

One more thing to be aware of is overbreeding. Huskies are currently the 16th most popular dog breed in America, and whenever a breed becomes that popular, they’re at risk of overbreeding.

This occurs when breeders begin to mate dogs more frequently in order to keep up with demand, which often leads to inbreeding, the breeding of less healthy dog. Or the breeding of dogs that haven’t been temperament tested.

The result is fewer healthy puppies and a shorter husky life expectancy. While overbreeding isn’t as big of a problem with huskies as it is with more popular breeds, it is still a risk.

If you ensure your breeder runs genetic health screenings on both parent dogs and asks about the lineage of the parents, you’ll be able to identify a reputable breeder who is interested in preserving the health of the husky breed.

Diet 

husky health

A proper diet is essential for both human and husky health – it can even affect a husky’s lifespan. Huskies should consume a diet that is rich in nutritious whole foods, including meat, various fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 

There is much debate in the husky community about whether kibble, wet food, raw food, or homemade cooked dog food is the best option. But there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support one over the others.

As dog owners, we just have to do our best to provide our furry friends with the best possible diet.

The FDA is currently investigating a possible link between grain-free diets and an increased risk of heart disease in dogs. Pulses, such as beans, peas, and lentils, are the main suspect at this time. 

Until more is known about the risks, it’s best to avoid these ingredients in your dog’s food. When choosing a dog food, look for a recognizable protein source as the first ingredient on the list, as well as other whole foods. This will help ensure that your dog is getting the nutrition they need.

When buying dog food, always check that it meets the AAFCO standards for a complete and balanced diet. If you’re making your own dog food from scratch, work with a veterinary nutritionist to make sure your dog is getting all the nutrients they need.

We all want our beloved pets to have long and happy lives, but did you know that being overweight can decrease a dog’s lifespan by up to two and a half years?

It’s true! So if you’re concerned about your pet’s health, make sure to monitor their food intake and keep them at a healthy weight.

If you think your pup needs to lose some weight, talk to your veterinarian about putting them on a weight loss plan.

While we may not know if dry, wet, raw, or homemade food has any impact on our pet’s lifespans, we know one thing for sure: Obesity can decrease the lifespan of a husky and any other dog breed by up to two and a half years.

Make sure to keep your dog at a healthy weight throughout its life by monitoring its food intake. Work with your veterinarian if you think your pup needs to be put on a weight loss plan. 

Exercise 

Husky Lifespan

Huskies have a lifespan of 12-15 years on average. They were bred to be working dogs and as such are very active, meaning they need a lot of exercises. The AKC rates the husky’s playfulness level as “nonstop” and their energy level as “high.”

It’s important to make sure your husky gets plenty of exercise every day. This will not only improve their quality of life but also increase their lifespan. Gentle exercise can help reduce the symptoms of arthritis and other mobility issues in dogs, and the longer your dog stays mobile, the healthier it will be. 

If you live in a cold climate, you can take your husky to sled dog training to keep them active in the winter and help them explore their working dog instincts.

Regular Vet Checkups 

Dogs age much faster than humans. So it’s important to take them to the vet regularly for checkups and vaccinations to help them avoid preventable causes of death.

Some common diseases and viruses that your husky could be vaccinated against are rabies, distemper, heartworm, Bordetella, parvovirus, or hepatitis. 

In addition, your veterinarian can help you keep an eye out for common health concerns that affect huskies so that you can catch and treat problems early on. This can potentially extend your pet’s life expectancy.

COMMON HEALTH ISSUES FOR HUSKIES

health issues for Huskies

As we mentioned, huskies are relatively healthy dogs. Most of the conditions they are prone to affect their quality of life rather than their lifespan. One of the main health conditions to look for in huskies is hip dysplasia. 

Hip dysplasia doesn’t directly cause death, but it can reduce a husky’s life expectancy due to lameness. A dog that can’t walk properly isn’t able to live an active life, and this inactivity shortens its lifespan.

Before breeding their male and female huskies, the AKC recommends that breeders get a hip joint evaluation done. This is a health screening that can help identify any potential problems that the puppies might have later on in life.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a husky puppy, make sure to ask the breeder if they have done this evaluation. 

In addition to hip problems, huskies can also suffer from a variety of eye problems. While none of these health issues are fatal.

They can decrease your pet’s quality of life and make them less active. Here are some of the most common eye problems in huskies:

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Sadly, PRA is another condition that can cause premature blindness in Huskies, and potentially in young dogs of other breeds. This is an inherited health problem that affects the light-sensitive layer lining the eyeball.

From just a few months old, the retina thins and withers, causing the dog to go blind.

With a dedicated owner, PRA should not have a significant impact on a Husky’s lifespan. However, the biggest risk for a Husky with PRA is running into the road unaware of oncoming traffic.

This makes it a challenge to give such an active breed enough exercise, but a long line and plenty of space go a long way to keeping that fur-friend safe. If you have the time, two or three good walks a day will help keep your furry friend happy and healthy.

Glaucoma

It seems that the eye is the Husky’s main weakness, as glaucoma is a common condition that affects this area. Glaucoma refers to a buildup of fluid pressure within the eyeball, causing it to stretch and expand painfully. 

There are treatments that help reduce the impact of glaucoma, but these aren’t always successful. Also, they don’t cure the condition but control the symptoms. This makes lifelong therapy essential.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a common hereditary condition pass from parent to pup. It causes poor anatomy of the hip joint which leads to inflammation and pain.

In mild cases, pain relief is all that’s need. But in the worst cases, the pain is so severe as to require hip replacement surgery.

For dogs where such radical surgery is not an option, hip dysplasia has the potential to shorten the Husky lifespan.

Making the decision to end a pet’s life is never easy. But rather than have a pet live in constant severe pain, choosing to end their misery is the humane option.

Behavioural Issues

Although not technically a health concern, the Husky’s love of freedom and need for extreme exercise can be a problem if they’re not match with an owner who can keep up with them.

This breed is hard-wired to be on the go all day long.

But when they’re kept confined they can develop bad habits, such as barking, digging, and chewing. This can lead to them being abandoned or signed over to a shelter, which puts their future in peril.

If you’re thinking of getting a Husky, make sure you’re prepare to give them the exercise they need. Otherwise, you may be doing them more harm than good.

How To Help Your Husky Live Longer

Maximize your Husky’s lifespan with these three tips:

  • Keep them slim and trim. Huskies who are at a healthy weight live 2-3 years longer than those who are overweight. Avoid overfeeding and maximize their lifespan.
  • Spay the females – Studies show that female Huskies live longer than males, and that spayed females live even longer than those who are not spayed.
  • Vaccinate against common diseases – Vaccinating your Husky against common life-threatening diseases can actually save their life.
  • Parasite Control: Speak with your veterinarian about the best parasite control methods for your Husky. For example, heartworm is a deadly, but preventable, condition.
  • Active Lifestyle: Huskies are bred to be sled dogs, which means they’re built to run all day long in harsh conditions. Your Husky may love to curl up by the fireplace, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still have the same drive to run. A bored Husky may run off and get hit by a car. Or, they may become so destructive that they’re impossible to live with. Make sure your Husky gets plenty of mental and physical exercise.

FAQ About Husky Lifespan

What is the longest living husky?

Siberian Huskies have a life expectancy of 13.5 years. The oldest Husky on record is 16.5 years old, according to internet research.

What is the Siberian Husky lifespan?

The Siberian Husky is a beautiful dog that can live up to 11 to 13 years old, but like all dogs, they may suffer from some health problems during their lifetime. 

Some minor issues include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), hypothyroidism, cataracts, and corneal dystrophy. To catch these problems early, be sure to take your husky to the vet regularly for thyroid, hip, and eye exams.

At what age do huskies slow down?

At What Age Will My Husky Start to Calm Down? If you’re wondering when your Husky will start to mellow out, the answer is that it’s likely to be when they’re around 6-12 months old.

That said, it’s worth bearing in mind that every dog is different, and some Huskies may take longer to reach a point of calmness due to their high energy levels.

In general, Huskies tend to become more settled as they reach adulthood. But with the right training, it’s possible for this transition to happen sooner.

How much exercise does a husky need?

Huskies are extremely active dogs that need at least 2 hours of exercise a day, according to The Kennel Club. Because they are natural hunters with exceptional endurance, you may sometimes find it hard to get a Husky back once they have been let off the lead.

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