The term “Husky” refers to several breeds of sled dogs. The most common Husky breeds are the Alaskan and Siberian Husky, but there are also breeds like the Greenland Husky, Sakhalin Husky, and others included in the group.

Huskies were bred to be used as sled dogs in the cold northern climates, but now many are kept as pets. Unfortunately while Huskies can make excellent pets, a lot of people don’t realize just how much exercise they require.

If you love running, hiking, various sledding-type dog sports like Skijoring, Bikejoring, and others, and have a large enclosure (by enclosure I mean a fence tall enough to prevent your Husky jumping out and a ground surface that won’t allow it to dig under), the Husky may just be the perfect dog for you. Here are some ideas for exercising with your Husky:

Husky Exercise

Husky Exercise Tips

• Get up early and go for a 5km run or 10km cycle before work. Especially if you live in a hot climate, try to exercise your dog when it’s cool – this might mean early morning or late evening Husky exercise sessions.
• Get a long rope. Unless your Husky is amazingly well trained, you probably shouldn’t risk allowing it to run free in your front yard or park. Huskies are escape artists and you don’t want one running off. Not to mention an untrained Husky can cause a lot of damage to a smaller (or even larger) dog should it run off and get into a fight. Many Huskies have a strong hunting drive, so even the best trained Husky has been known to bolt after smaller animals, mistaking them for prey. Huskies were bred to run – your Husky may take off and not realize that you’re nowhere in sight until it’s too late. To be safe, keep your Husky on a 15 meter lead at the park. This will allow it to still have a run around and stay safe.
• Take your Husky to obedience classes. Mental exercise can be just as tiring and challenging as physical exercise for dogs. Besides this, Huskies are also an independent, bold, and dominant breed of dog. Without proper obedience training they will establish themselves as the head of your pack. When this happens, you’re in trouble.
• Take up a dog sport like Bikejoring, Cani Cross, Skijoring, Scootering, or even Weight Pulling.
• Play with a toy daily and make sure your Husky has a dog toy to play with when alone. Huskies get bored easily – they need something to keep them occupied. Consider investing in a Kong treat toy.

If you have a Husky or are considering getting one, remember to keep its exercise requirements in mind.

Obesity can cause serious health problems in dogs. Weight gain and loss can also be caused by underlying health problems. If your Husky is obese or experiences sudden weight gain or weight loss, it is always recommended to take it to a vet for a checkup.