When on the hunt for your next family dog, why not consider adopting a husky poodle mix? A mixed-breed coming from a Siberian husky and a standard poodle, a husky poodle mix is an adorable combination.
Known for being smart, active, and loving, they have some of the most desirable traits you look for in a dog.
Mixed breeds come with all sorts of names, a husky mixed with a poodle being no exception. They are also known as a huskypoo, poosky, siberpoo, huskydoodle, and Siberian poodle. Goofy and happy dogs, they are sure to make you smile and laugh with their distinct personality.
To learn all about such a new breed, you have to understand its parents too. Keep on reading to find everything there is to know about a husky poodle mix before you consider adopting one for your own family!
Origin Of The Husky Poodle Mix
Like many mixes, the true origin of the husky poodle mix is relatively unknown. Mixes were not popular breeds up until very recently, with demand growing for the dogs in the 1990s. Breeders began mixing all sorts of dogs, with some becoming more popular than others. Likely, the first husky poodle mixes happened completely by accident.
Breeders may have continued to breed the dog in hopes of combining the best traits of the parents. Huskies are strong, working dogs who fit well into the family. Poodles are bred for their high intelligence, and their coats being less likely to trigger allergies. Put them together, and you have the fun-loving husky poodle mix!
Siberian Husky History
While the husky poodle mix may be new, its Siberian husky parent is not at all!
Originally bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia, it is considered one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Traditionally, they were used for transportation as sled dogs. Their thick coat and ability to survive off few calories made them ideal for traveling long distances in cold weather.
The dogs were also a welcome part of the family, often sleeping with the children to keep them warm at night.
In 1908, the dogs were imported to Alaska to help with transportation during the gold rush. Siberian huskies stopped being exported from Serbia in 1930 when the Soviet government closed its borders. But, by then, their numbers were already flourishing in America.
To this day, they remain one of the most popular family dogs. You can even still find them as traditional sled dogs in northern countries.
Poodle History
At first glance, poodles and huskies may seem like polar opposite dogs. But some of their similarities go way back!
Poodles are another one of the oldest breeds of dogs in the world. Their origin can be traced to Germany, but they became a distinct breed in France. Even further back, you can find poodle-like dogs on Egyptian and Roman artifacts and tombs.
Standard poodles were originally bred for hunting waterfowl. It wasn’t until the 1400s that they started to breed smaller versions of the poodle, eventually coming to the miniature and toy sizes. While the standard and miniature poodle are excellent hunters, the toy poodle was always meant to be just a companion dog.
Gypsies and other traveling performers saw the talent in poodles and began training them for tricks and performances. They also styled their coats into fun colors and shapes to make them stand out, a tradition that seems to have carried forth as many poodles make for good show dogs.
Poodles were rare in the US until after WWII. Now, they are one of the most popular breeds in the country and are an ideal breed for mixing.
Curious about other Husky mixes? Check out the German Shepherd Husky mix. It’s very cute!
Poodle Husky Mix Appearance
Since designer breeds are so new, there are few standards for how they might appear. With so much variation between the parent breeds themselves, you can end up with wildly different-looking dogs from the same litter.
To get a better idea of their potential appearance, we first must look at the parents’ breeds for reference.
Siberian Husky Appearance
Huskies may be one of the most sought-after dogs just due to their beauty. Many compare their appearance to a wolf, the similarities striking. They have a thick and beautiful coat that comes in a variety of colors and markings.
You can find them in black all the way to pure white!
While white and black are the most common colors, they can have markings with red and copper tones. A sable husky has a reddish-brown hue with black on the tips of the hairs. To protect them from the elements, they have a double coat of medium length.
Their unique markings often make their way to their face, creating contrasting patterns around the eyes and nose. The eyes almost always stand out, being either brown or blue. A combination of the two eye colors is also common, a condition known as heterochromia.
You can find huskies ranging from 20-23 inches in height to the shoulder and between 35-60 pounds. Males tend to be taller and weigh more than their female counterparts. Huskies are considered medium-sized dogs. Due to their history, they have a muscular build and tend to stay in excellent shape.
Poodle Appearance
Poodles are known for always looking good. You can probably thank a multitude of good groomers for that! They have an air of elegance about them, with their long limbs and narrow snout. You can find them in three different sizes: standard, miniature, and toy.
They come in many colors, including:
- black
- white
- gray
- blue
- brown
- apricot
- cream
Their hair is different than most dogs, being curly, wiry, and dense. The unique texture can be trimmed into all sorts of shapes.
Nowadays, the American Kennel Club has specific cuts for poodles who want to be entered into competitions. Poodle coats are highly desired as they are a non-shedding breed and considered hypoallergenic for those with dog allergies.
Poodles can vary from 10-22 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 6-70 pounds. Toy poodles are up to 10 inches tall, weighing 6-9 pounds. Miniatures come in at 11-15 inches tall and 15-27 pounds. Finally, the standard poodle stands at 15-22 inches and weighs between 45-70 pounds.
Husky Mixed With Poodle Appearance
So now that you have a pretty good idea of what a husky and poodle look like, what would their puppies come out as?
Sometimes, the puppies look so different than both of their parents that you may not be able to tell their origins. With two very different-looking breeds, you’re bound to get some interesting-looking dogs.
Since it is a new breed, there are no standard sizes. However, the mix is most often bred with a standard poodle for safety reasons and results in a medium-sized dog. Very rarely will you see a miniature poodle as one of the parents. Poodle husky mixes can range from 12-25 inches tall to the shoulder and weigh between 40-60 pounds.
Their coats usually come in black, gray, and white. Sometimes, they can have the other common poodle colors of apricot, red, or brown, but these coats are less common.
You can find them in either solid or mixed colors. In terms of hair, they are bred to inherit the low-shedding poodle coat, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have some of the husky coat traits. They can have wavy, dense, or silky hair about medium length.
Most often, they inherit the floppy ears of the poodle parent rather than the erect ears of the husky.
The Temperament Of A Poodle Husky Mix
Once again, let’s take a dive into the parents of this mixed breed to get a deeper understanding of what to expect from your poodle husky mix.
Siberian Husky Personality
When you meet a husky, you will instantly become aware of their shining personality. Half goofball and half workhorse, they are the perfect mixture of fun and hardworking. Rather friendly, they are a popular household pet.
Don’t expect them to work as guard dogs, as they are more than likely to welcome any intruders into the home.
While they are affectionate, they aren’t overly demanding in terms of asking for attention and cuddles. At times, they’re fairly independent.
That being said, you want to keep them stimulated. Huskies have destructive tendencies when they get bored. Considered a fairly intelligent breed, they can still be difficult to train at times due to their stubborn streak. You must establish yourself as the leader of the pack. Expect them to test you at times!
Curious about their surroundings, they are well known for escaping the yard, house, car, leash…pretty much anywhere you can think of. Very athletic, you will be quick to notice their wild-like joy whenever they’re outside or playing. They like other dogs and often aren’t aggressive.
If you’re lucky, you may get a song or two out of a husky. They love to howl and make noise. Overall, they are a fun breed to be around but do present their challenges. Huskies are not recommended for first-time dog owners.
Poodle Personality
While they have their own quirks that make them different, poodles have quite a few personality traits similar to huskies. For starters, they are very intelligent dogs. In fact, they rank behind border collies as the second most intelligent breed of dog. Their cleverness makes them ideal for learning tricks, while they are also quick to latch on to bad habits just as easily.
Somewhere along the line, poodles got a reputation for being snobby. Really, they are far from it!
Another very friendly dog breed, they are extremely people-orientated and make for loyal family pets. With a calm disposition and fierce devotion to their family, many families enjoy the company of a poodle. Because of their dedication to their family, they can sometimes be protective and take a little while to warm up to new people. They also don’t like to be left alone for very long as they get quite lonely without their human friends.
This eager to please attitude, combined with a high IQ, makes them easily trainable. They, too, can have a goofy side and enjoy a good play session.
Poodle Husky Mix Personality
The personality perhaps is the biggest draw for those who want to adopt a poodle husky mix. Because of the friendliness of both parent breeds, the mix is likely to be a very good family dog that enjoys spending time with its owners.
With one hunter and one working background, they will have a strong sense of curiosity and prey drive. For households with cats, be wary and introduce the two very slowly. However, they will have a pack mentality that will flourish with other dogs.
Both of their parents are active and intelligent dogs. This means they will need more exercise and stimulation than the average dog. Stubborn at times, they need lots of structure and stimulation in their life.
Overall, they require a fair amount of attention and supervision from their owner, being a high-maintenance dog.
Caring For A Husky Poodle Mix
Here’s everything you need to know when caring for a husky poodle mix!
Grooming
Likely, the intention of breeding a husky with a poodle was to try and get more breeds to have the unique hair of the poodle. Hopefully, your husky poodle mix will inherit more of the poodle coat than the husky parents!
Poodle coats will barely shed while huskies undergo seasonal shedding. Some of the mixes may be hypoallergenic, but that is not a guarantee.
While poodles don’t shed, their hair can collect in the coat and mat, requiring brushing every other day. This also means that they need a good groomer to stop the hair from getting unruly and matted.
Most poodle owners will take their dog to the groomers every 3-6 weeks. Alternatively, others prefer to keep the hair shaved as it requires less maintenance.
If your mix inherits more husky, they shed a ton during the shedding season in the spring and fall. Hopefully, you have a good vacuum handy!
If you notice your mix sheds, you will want to brush the coat every day during shedding season. Otherwise, once a week should suffice.
With medium-length hair, husky poodle mixes do well in cold temperatures. That being said, don’t ever leave them outside in extreme temperatures.
Additional Care
Beyond grooming their coats, there are a few other good habits you will want to begin with your poodle husky mix. They likely won’t be stinky dogs, but consider bathing them once a month. Always let their coat fully dry before letting them out in the cold.
Many poodles will have weepy eyes. If you have a lighter-colored husky poodle mix, it may be more noticeable. Wipe underneath the eyes with a washcloth and warm water whenever necessary.
Because of their floppy ears, you also want to check their ears routinely and clean them. Ask your vet for recommendations on what to look for and how to clean it properly.
You may also want to consider brushing their teeth daily. The nails should also be trimmed before they get too long and tap when they walk. Once or twice a month should suffice.
Tip: Start all of these habits earlier on with your puppy, so they are used to you touching their feet, mouth, and ears.
Feeding
With a poodle and a husky for a parent, the appetite of the mix can be quite varied. Huskies were taught to require little food to survive. Since they had to haul all their food in the sled, any food they ate was lightweight. The breed requires a low amount of calories per day.
Poodles, on the other hand, are more prone to weight gain when overfed. To avoid these issues, get them used to a routine of eating twice a day rather than grazing on a bowl of food left out.
A husky poodle mix will end up being a medium-sized dog with high energy. Plan their meals according to the recommendations of food that fits those requirements. When in doubt, talk to your vet about feeding options.
Exercise
With a husky poodle mix, you are certainly going to have a ball of energy on your hands. They require a walk every day to help keep them happy and avoid any weight gain – at least ½ hour to an hour in length. This can make them excellent jogging partners or a pup to bring on a hike with you.
Though make sure you keep a firm grasp on their leash!
They love to run away and chase things. This goes for dog parks as well. While they might be good places to release their energy, they may be hard to catch up to and hook back onto a leash.
You will also need to provide some play sessions in between walks. Because of their destructive tendencies when they are bored, give them some attention and stimulation through playtime.
Having a yard is best for this breed as they can run and play outside to help release some energy. Though cautious, they like to dig in garden beds and under fences. Make sure they can’t jump over fences and that they are escape-proof.
Otherwise, they can vanish in an instant!
Training
With smarty pants as parents, you can bet your poodle husky mix will be an intelligent pup. Don’t let this stop you from investing in some good training, however!
While smart, this means they can quickly pick up both good and bad traits. Beginning training as early as possible at home and then putting them through puppy classes will be well worth your time. They are sure to flourish in class!
Because of their stubbornness and pack mentality, they can be difficult to train. You need to be firm and consistent to both break through their mischievous side and establish yourself as the one in charge.
If they are spoiled and coddled, they also will think they are the alpha of the pack. This difficulty in training makes them not ideal for new dog owners. Experienced folks will have an easier time.
Crate training should be implemented at a young age. Poodles don’t like to be left alone, and huskies will get destructive, making a crate your best option for when you leave the house. You also will want them well-trained on a leash as their high energy makes them pullers.
Plus, they will be less likely to try and chase after a squirrel!
Life Span And Health Issues
You can expect to have your husky poodle mix around for a while, as they live anywhere from 10-14 years. Generally, for healthy dogs, make sure you are adopting from a responsible and reputable breeder. They should be able to provide you a full background on both parents, so you have a good idea of the health of your puppy.
Typically, mixed breeds are healthier than purebreds as they inherit traits from both parents. While good dogs, in terms of health, can still be predisposed to some of the same health concerns as their parents.
Hip Dysplasia
A genetic condition, hip dysplasia, is when the hip socket is loose and allows the ball belonging to the thigh bone to slide out of the hip socket. Over time, the joint degenerates and can cause arthritis, pain, and sometimes lameness of the limb.
Since this is an inherited condition, you should know if your husky doodle mix is predisposed to this condition.
Elbow Dysplasia
Like hip dysplasia, you can also have a similar condition occur in the elbow. Elbow dysplasia refers to abnormalities in the elbow joint when the 3 bones don’t properly fit together and grind. This causes pain, arthritis, and lameness in extreme cases.
Bloat
A very serious issue, bloat is a life-threatening condition that affects large, deep-chested dogs such as the poodle. It occurs when the stomach distends with air or gas and then twists. This means the dog can’t vomit to rid itself of the excess air, and the blood pressure goes into shock. The dog will need immediate attention.
Dogs are more prone to bloat if they are fed a single large meal a day, eat their food quickly, drink a ton of water after eating, and exercise after eating.
Sebaceous Adenitis
Extremely common with the poodle, this is a skin condition that your husky poodle mix may inherit.
Sebaceous adenitis is when the sebaceous glands become inflamed and then destroyed. This results in dry, scaly skin and hair loss on the back, neck, and head of the dog.
Most often, this is only a cosmetic concern but can be uncomfortable for the dog.
Allergies
Just like us humans, your pup may have allergies. They can have skin, food, or environmental allergies. Symptoms include:
- Itchy skin, especially in the paws and ears
- Hives
- Swelling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive sneezing
- Runny eyes
- Excessive licking
- Frequent ear infections
A Quick Breed Overview
Still undecided? Here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know about this dog breed…
Size
A husky doodle mix ranges from 12-25 inches tall. They are considered medium-sized dogs. For a better indication of size, look to their poodle parent.
Weight
You can expect your mix to fall between 40-60 pounds. They have a fairly muscular build due to their high exercise needs.
Coat
When it comes to coats, you can see a fair amount of variation in the breed. You can find wavy, dense, or silky hair—all medium-length.
Color
The most common colors for poodle husky mixes are black, gray, and white. They can also inherit the redder tones of poodle parents, but it isn’t as likely. They come in solid or mixed colors.
Shedding
Shedding can lean either towards the poodle or husky tendencies. Ideally, they will take after the poodle and shed very little. If they take after the husky, they may have seasonal shedding in the spring and fall.
While the poodle is hypoallergenic, the husky poodle mix is probably not going to be allergy-friendly.
Socialization
A very friendly dog, the husky poodle mix is a highly social animal and enjoys both the presence of other dogs and humans. To ensure they are as friendly as can be, be sure to socialize them at a young age to get them used to meeting new people and animals.
Intelligence Level
Your husky poodle mix will be very smart. This can be super beneficial in how fast they pick up training, but this also means they can just as easily adopt bad habits. Maintain structure in their life to keep them on their toes and well-behaved.
Friendliness
Overall, they are very friendly dogs. They latch onto their family quickly, which may mean they are slightly wary of strangers who come and visit. When meeting other dogs, they enjoy the feeling of being in a pack.
Good With Children
The husky poodle mix works wonderfully as a family pet. They enjoy the presence of children, doing especially well with older kids. While they easily tolerate the rough play that young kids sometimes bestow on dogs, this mix should always be supervised when with small children due to their size.
Activity Level
Husky poodle mixes have a high energy level. Daily walks are a must, and a house with a yard is preferable. In between walks, give them plenty of playtime to help release excess energy. They make good jogging and hiking partners, keeping up with their humans easily.
Temperament
Loyal and sweet, your poodle husky mix will be devoted to you and the family. They have a goofy and fun side to them, sometimes coming out in mischievous moments. They like a fair amount of attention and stimulation. While fairly active, they still enjoy moments of cuddling on the couch.
Destructive Behavior
Since they love being with their family so much, this mix will not do well when left alone. If they don’t get enough stimulation during the day, they have a destructive tendency. Crate training is recommended for those moments when you need to leave the house. Otherwise, you can expect to come home to a destroyed house or garden.
Fun Facts About The Poodle Husky Mix
- Doodle crosses (a poodle mixed with another breed) are some of the most popular mixed breeds out there. Because of their hypoallergenic coat, breeders wanted to make all kinds of dogs that could inherit this trait from a poodle parent. You’ve probably heard of a labradoodle or goldendoodle – two very common doodles.
- Because of their small size, you likely won’t find a toy poodle husky mix. Combining a tiny dog with a large dog gets very risky, and pregnancy can only happen with the help of a vet.
- When a dog has two eye colors, this condition is known as heterochromia. You can see this often in husky poodle mixes, thanks to the husky parent!
- Poodles are great service dogs and can help those with hearing or visual impairments. But, because huskies like attention and get a little wild sometimes, a husky poodle mix may not be the best service dog.
- Both of the husky poodle’s parents could win a popularity contest. Out of 190 recognized dog breeds, the husky ranked 14th, while the standard poodle ranked 7th. Maybe once combined, they can take the top spot!
- For many centuries, many considered mixed breeds as mutts and were undesirable. However, purebreds oftentimes go through a lot of inbreeding and tend to be less healthy. Over time, people have realized that not only are mixed breeds healthier, but they can get inherit the best traits from both breeds.
List of Husky Poodle Mix Instagram Accounts
So, by now, you’ve probably fallen in love with the idea of owning a husky poodle mix. Their upbeat personality and loveable nature are sure to capture the hearts of anyone who meets them.
To get ready to own your own pup or to simply bask in the cuteness, check out some of these husky poodle mixes over on Instagram. You can see the true variety of their appearances!