Australian Shepherd Siberian Husky Mix: Aussie Siberian Breed Information

The Australian Shepherd Siberian Husky mix makes one of the cutest designer dogs out there.  This particular mix is also referred to as the Aussie Siberian, or the Australian Husky. This pup is becoming increasingly popular and for very good reason! In fact, these two breeds are consistently compared to one another as reliable family companions.

Not only is the Australian Husky an inquisitive and energetic pooch, but he is also very charismatic, entertaining and talky. He also loves cuddles with his human pack every now and then, just as long as you have given him everything that he needs, and wants, during his long day. But he also likes alone time and is independent enough not to need constant human interaction.

If you please him, he will love you forever, but if you don’t quite get it right, he will likely become problematic. So, you have got to fully understand if this beautiful boy is the right one for you, and thankfully you have come to the right place!

Parent Breeds

In order to understand a mixed breed dog it is important to understand both of his parents and what they are about, what they need and what you can expect from them. The Australian Husky is relatively new on the designer dog scene, and as such a breed standard has not yet been established, so you should be open-minded about what characteristic concoction he might inherit.

Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky originally came from Siberia, where he was used as a sledding dog to transport people and goods between tribes. He is a strong and athletic dog who was bred to keep going and going to endure the tough Arctic conditions, and whilst he is not commonly used for this purpose anymore, he still has boundless energy that makes him quite an intense dog. The Siberian Husky is one of the most energetic dogs in canine town, and needs around 90 minutes of exercise every day.

The Siberian Husky is now an adorable family pooch who is currently ranked as the 14^th most popular dog breed in America, as voted by the American Kennel Club (AKC). He is described as loveable, mischievous and outgoing, and can make the most awesome pet for an active family who can spend most of their time with him. Because of their loving nature, Siberian Huskies make great mixed breeds. Other popular mixes are the Huskydoodle or the Goberian Retriever.

He measures between 20 and 23 ½ inches tall, and weighs between 35 and 60 pounds, and is a medium sized dog. His coat is thick and fluffy, which keeps him seriously warm, as well as his family and home seriously hairy.

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is an equally loveable canine, who is ranked just 3 places behind the Husky in breed popularity by the AKC. He is a medium sized dog who measures between 18 and 23 inches tall, and he weighs between 40 and 65 pounds.

He is described as smart, work-oriented and exuberant, and as his breed purpose was to herd the Cowboy’s cattle. You can be sure that this breed is full of working energy which will need to be directed somewhere. Whilst he may not need to work, he will certainly need at least 60 minutes of intense exercise every day.

He is somewhat aloof with strangers at first, but friendly once he has been introduced to them, but not overly so. His coat is also seriously fluffy and is very distinctive with his multicolor patches and specks.  Australian Shepherd mixes are becoming extremely popular due to their sweet nature. Other popular mixes include the Aussie Pom or the Augie.

Aussie Siberian

The Australian Husky is a relatively new designer dog, and whilst his exact origins are not known, it is believed that he was first bred in 2004, and it is likely that he was bred to be a family companion known for his playfulness and striking appearance and colors.

Temperament

The Australian Husky’s most obvious temperament trait is that he is full of life and energy, but thanks to his Australian parent’s more mellow temperament inside of the home, he might not be as intense as the Husky which will make him more suitable for more families. This means that he will have an ‘off-button,’ which his Husky parent does not.

There will never be a dull moment with the Australian Husky around. Whether that be plenty of games during the day or cuddles at night, you can be sure that he will combine all of the most loved canine traits into his own style. Whilst he will be willing to give you cuddles or accept a belly scratch or two, he is not overly affectionate, and this independence is a trait that many people like.

He may or may not inherit the talkative trait of the Husky parent, which is thoroughly entertaining but tough to train out of him if you don’t like a noisy pooch. This is something to consider if you live somewhere with noise restrictions.

It is likely that he will be aloof with strangers at first, and whilst he will not be overly protective of his family, he might attempt to herd strangers from the gate to the house. But once his master has introduced him to guests he will try and initiate games galore.

Size & Appearance

As both of his parents are very similar to one another when it comes to their shape, the Australian Husky is likely to measure between 19 and 23 inches tall, and weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. Whilst he is an athletic dog, you will not be able to see his muscles under that coat of his.

He will have medium sized triangle ears that either stand to attention or flop down, or maybe even one of each! The color of his eyes will also vary because both of his parents have bright blue, amber or brown colored eyes, and sometimes even one of each too.

His appearance is quite varied, even with puppies from the same litter, but this gene lottery is quite appealing for some. You should also expect that different colored eyes, the speckled Australian coat, or the combination of the Aussie coat with the Husky markings is the most desirable look, and as such carries a higher price tag.

Coat & Colors

You can be sure that he will have a double coat that is thick and fluffy in appearance, with a dense undercoat to keep him warm. It is also a certainty that he will shed moderately throughout the year, and if you aren’t a fan of doggy hair then you should think about another breed altogether.

However, his coat varies between colors and patterns, so he may either inherit the markings of the Husky or the speckled colors of the Australian Shepherd, or even a combination of the two.

Exercise & Living Conditions

The Australians Husky’s parents are both super energetic, and as such you should make room for at least 60 minutes of intense exercise every day, and for those more energetic Aussie Huskies, 90 minutes would be much better!

He would make a great jogging partner, mountain climber, sledder, agility course expert, or fetcher, so as long as you are active he will join you on whatever your favorite pastime is. Just be sure that it is intense, otherwise he will become bored and restless quickly.

The Australian Husky will need a medium sized home or larger, and access to a backyard whereby he can roam and play to his hearts’ content. Unfortunately, this guy is not suited to apartment life, because his parentage is outdoorsy and active.

Whilst he is an active canine, thankfully his independence and off-switch inside the home means that he is suited to families with children and other pets. If he inherits the herding traits of his Australian parent, these tend not to be as strong and can be discouraged with training.

Training

Whilst the Australian Husky is very intelligent, there is a high chance that he will inherit a streak of independence, which is the polite way of saying he will be stubborn! As such, training can be a little difficult because he would rather go off exploring or too busy doing his own thing, so he may not be suited to the novice dog owner.

If you are a first-time dog owner, you would do well to enroll him into puppy obedience class to instill discipline into his routine. This will also allow him to socialize with other dogs of all shapes and sizes and will discourage his potential herding tendencies too.

Health

The Australian Husky is a relatively healthy dog who will enjoy a long lifespan of 12 to 15 years. As a mixed breed dog, he can inherit the health problems associated with both parents, and here are the most likely health concerns to look out for in the Australian Husky.

Elbow and Hip Dysplasia – this is a very common condition that affects many dog breeds, and with both of his parents being at risk from this it is something to keep a close eye on. This condition affects the elbow and hip joints that do not form properly, and as such abrasion occurs which wears down the joints and ligaments overtime.

Eye conditions – this is another concern of both parents, so his eye health is another top health priority of the Australian Husky. Concerns such as Collie Eye, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Cataracts are all conditions to look out for.

Nutrition

The Australian Husky will typically eat around 4 cups of food every day, and he would do well to eat a high-quality kibble that has a high protein content to keep his energetic muscles sustained and strong. The types of food you’ll feed your pup will depend on your dog’s size.  In theory, you should be feeding your pup food that’s formulated for a Siberian Husky, or if your pup is on the smaller size, pick a smaller breed dog food.

Grooming

The Australian Husky is a hairy pooch, and you will need to make time to brush him 2 or 3 times a week in order to keep his coat tangle-free and looking healthy. During shedding seasons, usually spring and fall, you will need to up the ante and brush him every day, otherwise, you’ll find that your carpet will become smothered in his coat.  You’ll likely not need to shave your dog down unless you live in extremely hot climates.

Other grooming rituals, such as teeth and ear cleaning, are the same as any other pooch. Because he is so active it is likely that his nails will need clipping or grinding less frequently than most other dogs.

Breeders & Puppy Costs

The starting price of the Australian Husky will typically start from around $800, increasing up to $1,000 or more for those pups with the more desirable looks such as multicolored eyes and the combination of both Husky and Australian Shepherd colors.

The Australian Husky, being a rarer and newer designer pooch, is not going to be available in every state, so you should expect to travel to find a reputable breeder. Start by searching online, and then once you have found a handful of breeders begin your own due diligence.

Make contact with them, meet them and their breeding dogs, and research reviews from previous customers to ensure that they are reputable. Also, ensure that you see their health certificates so that you know they are breeding healthy dogs.

Rescue & Shelters

If you are thinking about rescuing one of these guys then head over to the Siberian Husky Rescue Site, and the Australian Shepherd Rescue website, where they list breed mixes and contact details state by state.

 As Family Pets

• The Australian Husky is a seriously energetic dog.
• This mix will need at least an hour of exercise every day.
• He will need to live in a medium-sized house at a minimum.
• Your pup should have access to outdoor space to run around in.
• He will be aloof with strangers at first but are generally friendly pups.
• He may inherit the herding tendencies of the Australian Shepherd.
• Whilst he is a very intelligent dog, he is also very stubborn.
• You should start enrolling in obedience courses early on.
• Even though this mix is energetic, they are a great breed for kids.
• The Siberian Aussie should be socialized early.
• The Australian Husky’s double coat will need brushing regularly.
• Their thick coat will shed excessively through the shedding season.

Final Thoughts

The Australian Husky is a wonderfully balanced canine that would suit many family homes. Before you welcome him into your home be sure that you can commit to at least 1 hour of exercise every day, a strict grooming schedule, and the patience needed to train this potentially stubborn boy.

Whilst he may lean towards one parent more so than the other, as long as you like both breeds (and how could you not?) you will be forever thankful that you welcomed him into your life!