Big dogs are a gift to owners worldwide. These gentle giants make the best companions to anyone looking to fill that dog-shaped hole in their lives and combining the loveable nature of the Husky with the brains and beloved looks of the Goldendoodle seems like a no-brainer.
But this cross is obscure among owners, and here at Know Your Doodles we want to share with you this fantastic cross, so read on as we fill you in on all this big dog has to offer!
Table of Contents
The History of the Parent Breeds
Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a breed that is known and beloved by many. This cross is by far one of the most popular breeds currently, the combination of the Golden Retriever, and the Poodle – two breeds that by themselves are incredibly beloved by the public – creates a dog that is most definitely more than the sum of its parts.
The creation of this mix was a pioneering move in the designer dog market and spearheaded the move towards breeding to solve practical problems. The issue the original Goldendoodle sought to rectify was the amount of shedding synonymous with the Golden Retriever’s long blonde coat.
Prior to the Goldendoodle, breeds had been bred determined by specific practical (working) functions, and so a change in the breed to further commercial interest was unheard of. This carries on as a trend up until the present day, and subsequently, the Goldendoodle carried on evolving, in order to secure its prolonged popularity.
To account for different living situations, the breed is now available in four sizes: Standard, medium, petite, and mini. However, today we will be focussing on the original standard-sized Goldendoodle.
Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies, as the name implies, originate from Siberia. They are famous for their big fluffy coat, and large stature, which is a necessity having to live in such a cold climate (going down to -50 degrees Celsius at times).
However, their iconic look wasn’t all due to the climate, the dogs were also selectively bred to serve a specific function. These large dogs were the main mode of transport of the Chukchi people of North-east Siberia, pulling their sleighs and helping to herd reindeer.
Therefore, these dogs are required to be hard-working and strong enough to run fast while pulling a sleigh – two traits that make Huskies so desirable in the present day. These dogs are loyal, motivated, and have an incredible pack loyalty, meaning they make a fierce companion to any dog lover.
How is the Goldendoodle Siberian Husky Cross Achieved?
While the Goldendoodle does come in multiple sizes (a result of the designer dog craze) this cross can only safely be achieved using the standard size. The Husky is an incredibly large dog, and ideally, when crossing breeds, the stature of the parents should match as closely as possible, minimize risks with natural insemination, pregnancy, and whelping.
The health of the cross is not just limited to the parents, however, as the puppies must also be accounted for. A bad mix runs the risk of creating puppies with significant health risks, or uncontrollable tempers, which would hamper their quality of life.
Is the Goldendoodle Siberian Husky an Ethical Cross?
In achieving this cross, the health of all present, and resulting dogs must be accounted for. This is now what determines whether a mix is ethical or not, and in recent years has been the moral compass with breeders have used to guide their dog choices.
As seen with the breeding of the Siberian Husky to fulfill a function, dogs can be bred to develop certain traits. This is being used to rectify previous breeding mistakes, such as the breathing issues common in pugs, which are being slowly fixed by elongating each generation’s snout.
So, is the Goldendoodle Siberian Husky cross ethical? Due to their big dog size, and their hard-working, and intelligent nature, there is no doubt that all dogs and puppies will be happy and healthy.
This isn’t to say there are no risks, as big dogs do tend to suffer from particular joint and bone issues in later life, however, this not being a result of breeding efforts, is not considered when estimating the ethical status of the breed.
What Name is Given to the Goldendoodle Siberian Husky Mix?
This cross is niche and therefore has no name. However, Golden Huskipoo is a great fit for this unique breed!
The Benefits of the Golden Huskipoo Cross
One of the major benefits of this cross is its hygiene. Goldendoodles, being bred specifically for their low-shedding nature, as well as the Husky’s self-grooming routine, going so far as to lick itself clean, makes this dog significantly less smelly than other big dogs.
The Golden Huskipoo is an incredibly intelligent breed and paired with the Husky’s natural independence and free-spiritedness, this dog will not suffer the separation anxiety that afflicts other companion breeds.
However, this independent streak doesn’t make this dog apathetic in the slightest. They are playful and social creatures (being bred for life in a pack) and as such, they are extremely extroverted, and provided they are socialized properly, they will be quick to make connections with strangers and other dogs.
The Cons of the Golden Huskipoo Cross
While this dog has a great temperament, you may quickly find a few things less than desirable in this dog.
Attributed to the Husky side mainly, this dog has a lot of habits and traits that were essential when working in Siberia but may be inconvenient now. The first is energy and stamina. This cross is big, can walk for miles, and will need to in order to burn off all of that energy.
As well as this, they have a strong predatory drive and are known to dig in the garden. Huskies were bred to be natural hunters in order to conserve rations and provide their own sustenance. This may mean your lawn will undergo some heavy demolition, and you may need to monitor your dog in open spaces, to stop them from hunting small game they may pick up on.
One other con is how tricky they may be. Stubborn and intelligent, this cross is a natural-born problem solver, and as such, they will try everything in their power to break out or get their way if they put their mind to it. This may cause some friction when training, and you should expect to keep a watchful eye to ensure your dog doesn’t pull a disappearing act at any point!
What to Expect from the Goldendoodle Siberian Husky Mix
Height & Weight
Standing at 30″ – 40″, and weighing 30lbs-40lbs, these dogs are both shorter and denser than a Husky. While this may come as a shock to owners, it is important to note that Huskies were bred to be lean and survive off little food – while their giant coat betrays their slender physique – it is important to note that this weight is perfectly healthy.
Colour & Coat
Whether straight or wavy, this dog is bound to have a dense coat. The thick double coat means your dog will be a huge ball of hair. This is exemplified by the Poodle’s low-shedding trait, meaning that your dog will keep hair for longer, meaning it will need to be kept in check.
The Golden Huskipoo can be uni or bicolor, with a strong likelihood of being the iconic Golden Retriever blonde, or the Huskies white and grey.
Maintenance
While these dogs do self-groom, mats and tangles must be brushed out on a regular basis. Along with this, their coat must be kept cut to ensure it does not become a hindrance to your dog, and in warmer climates, to ensure your dog is cool enough.
To keep your dog’s coat from causing significant heat exhaustion it is recommended you visit the groomer at least every 6 weeks to keep your dog’s coat trimmed back and tidy. While this may deviate in colder months, or colder climates, it is essential that the coat is maintained in the summer.
Health
As mentioned previously, there are some issues that are more common in bigger breeds such as the Golden Huskipoo. These include hip dysplasia, and arthritis, or osteoarthritis.
Along with these issues, this breed is at increased risk of cataracts and other eye issues, a trait shared among Huskies and Golden Retrievers alike.
Temperament
This dog is high energy, independent, and highly intelligent. While social, this dog is stubborn and so while he may be the life of the party in bigger gatherings, you should begin to enforce a training regime as early as possible to ensure your dog doesn’t develop any unwanted habits down the line.
Exercise Needs and Feeding Requirements
With a bigger dog like this, 1 and a half to 2 hours of exercise are required a day. Unlike smaller breeds, this dog requires outdoor exercise, preferable in open spaces such as parks where they can properly stretch their legs and blow off steam.
Two cups a day are required to keep your Golden Huskipoo well fed. Sometimes your dog may pass up meals, and if this happens every once in a while do not be alarmed. Huskies are bred to survive on very little, and as such they know their limits when it comes to food. That being said, if the issue persists then a trip to the vet is a safe bet.
Conclusion
For fans of larger Doodles, the Golden Huskipoo is the perfect companion. This dog is as playful as they come, and their sociability, intelligence, and unique appearance will mean that they are sure to stand out no matter the occasion.
But if your heart is set on the Goldendoodle, but the Husky isn’t the right fit for you, then luckily you have a huge variety of breeds to explore. To kick off your search is our newest obsession, the ‘Goldendoodle Basset Hound Mix’.