Australian Shepherd Husky Mix – Two Hard-Working Breeds

Imagine, if you will, an Australian Shepherd Husky mix.

Beautiful, right?

The Australian Shepherd Husky is one of those crossbreeds who is a fast-rising star in the crossbreeding world.

It’s easy to see why once you’ve laid eyes on one.

But how do you know if this crossbreed is right for your lifestyle?

Keep reading, because we’ve got a ton of Australian Shepherd Husky mix info coming up just for you!

Introducing the Australian Shepherd Husky Mix

The Australian Shepherd Husky mix, also known as the Aussie Siberian, is a show-stopping designer dog taking the world of crossbreeding by storm!

A cross between the purebred Australian Shepherd and the purebred Husky, this gorgeous breed not only comes with stunning looks, but he also harbors an incredible intelligence, a tough-to-beat work ethic, and lots of personality to boot!

While this all sounds great, there is a lot to this clever crossbreed you should understand before you make the commitment to own one.

Let’s begin with the fact that he is a designer dog, and that in itself comes with its share of controversy.

Why, you ask?

Well, we’re about to find out!

The Designer Dog Debate

Designer dogs, crossbreed dogs, and hybrid dogs are all terms that describe the result of when two purebred dogs come together to create a litter of mixed offspring.

So what makes crossbreed dogs any different from mutts?

To be honest, this is part of the debate.

Advocates of crossbreeding argue that crossbreeding is a planned mix of two carefully chosen breeds, with a specific outcome in mind.

Mutts, meanwhile, are more unintentional creations that often have a number of different breeds in their bloodline.

For more on how mutts and crossbreeds differ from one another, visit us here.

What to expect when you’re expecting a crossbreed

Another criticism of crossbreeding is that it removes the certainty of purebreeding.

Pedigree dogs are selectively bred over many, many generations so that their appearance and their temperaments are predictable, and reliable.

A crossbred dog can inherit any combination of traits from their parents – they are surprising and unpredictable again.

Detractors think this is a pointless undoing of generations of hard work. Enthusiasts think it is exciting.

Only you can decide how it makes you feel.

Hybrid Vigor

But what about vigor and crossbreed health in comparison to purebreds?

This argument is an important one.

Many purebred dogs suffer from a number of hard to escape hereditary health issues due to breeding from a limited gene pool.

Crossbreed dogs immediately benefit from a broader gene pool, which can lessen the impact of hereditary illnesses.

This is called hybrid vigor. For more information about it, click here.

And read on to find out what it means for the Australian shepherd Husky mix.

How Did the Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Come About?

Whenever dealing with a first-generation crossbreed, such as the Australian Shepherd Husky mix, one thing to keep in mind is that there really isn’t much documentation in regard to his origin.

That is because his history is still in the process of being created.

Luckily, we’ll be able to learn more about what makes him so special by briefly reading up on the histories of his parent breeds.

Let’s begin with the Australian Shepherd!

Australian Shepherd History and Origin

The name is deceiving.

The Australian Shepherd, who is also often called the Aussie, is an American breed.

While he does have some Australian roots, the Australian Shepherd was refined and perfected in California during the 19th century, where he earned himself the reputation as a cowboy’s best friend.

Utilized and adored for his incredible intelligence and unrivaled work ethic, the Australian Shepherd was and continues to be one of America’s most valuable herding breeds.

This is because the Australian Shepherd is happiest when he has work to do.

Today’s Aussie

He enjoys getting jobs done, and this is one of the very traits that makes him one of the most fabulous service dogs to date!

But this breed is not all work and no fun.

In fact, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Australian Shepherd is also one of the favorite family dogs in the United States.

He currently ranks in at number 16 out of 194 on the AKC’s list of America’s most favorite dog breeds!

But what about the Husky?

Is he as intelligent and popular?

Let’s find out!

Siberian Husky History and Origin

An ancient working breed, the Siberian Husky’s origin places his roots in early Asia.

According to the AKC, the Husky is a predecessor of ancient sled dogs bred by the Chukchi people.

Aside from work, the ancestors of the Husky were also highly valued as companion dogs.

In fact, the breed is said to have played an extremely dynamic role in how Chukchi people were able to survive in frigid temperatures and rough terrain.

When unstable climates forced the Chukchi’s to relocate, they began to refine their dogs, creating a more durable sled dog who was able to run for long distances while at the same time pulling quite heavy loads behind them.

Thus, the modern-day Husky was born!

Today’s Husky

Sitting at number 12 out of 194 on the AKC’s list, the Husky is a beloved companion dog known for his intelligence, work ethic, and loyalty to his family.

And amazingly, this hard-working and beautiful purebred is still being used by modern-day mushers in North America!

It’s no wonder breeders decided to cross the Aussie and the Husky, considering their fascinating history and incredible intelligence.

But what about temperament?

Does the Australian Shepherd Husky mix make a good family dog?

Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Husky Mix

Due to the fact that he is a first-generation crossbreed, pinpointing the Australian Shepherd Husky mix temperament could be hit or miss.

Still, considering the temperaments of both the Australian Shepherd Husky mix dog’s parent breeds, we can guess that this hybrid will be intelligent, work-oriented, and active.

As with all dogs, early socialization and obedience training is going to be instrumental in ensuring your Australian Shepherd Husky mix grows up to be a well-rounded and adaptable crossbreed.

So what other temperamental traits could your Australian Shepherd Husky cross inherit?

Temperament of the Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is famously intelligent, but with brains comes responsibility.

This is a breed who needs plenty of mental stimulation to stay happy.

This means he needs lots of doggy jobs in order to make him feel complete.

Doggy jobs could include bringing in the newspaper, helping with the laundry, and more.

The Aussie is also incredibly playful and full of energy.

He gets along great with children and other dogs.

However, a prospective owner should keep in mind that the Aussie is a bred herding dog.

He may take to herding other household pets and family members about, as if they are part of his flock.

Lots of Energy

The Aussie is going to need his energy and intelligence harnessed positively in order to ensure he stays happy and that others around him stay happy as well.

If left to his own devices, the Aussie is prone to boredom, and a bored Aussie can be destructive.

However, with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, the Aussie makes a fabulous family pet!

He bonds very strongly with his people and is best suited in family homes with those who are able to offer him the attention and love he needs to thrive!

Remember, your Australian Shepherd Husky mix could take after his Australian Shepherd parent’s personality.

If he does, you should keep all of the above in mind.

But what if he takes after his Husky parent’s temperament?

Temperament of the Husky

Similar to his Aussie counterpart, the Husky is incredibly family-oriented and bonds strongly with his people.

Remember, this breed was bred not only as a working dog but also as a companion.

He loves people of all ages and is said to get along famously with both children and other household pets!

Still, much like the Australian Shepherd, the Husky has lots of energy and was refined to have resilience and strength.

He needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation, and since both the Aussie and the Husky are similar in this aspect, you should expect the Australian Shepherd Husky mix to have the same traits.

But is it this easy to predict what your Australian Shepherd Husky mix will look like?

Not necessarily.

Defining Characteristics of the Australian Shepherd Husky Mix

The Aussie and the Husky are both medium-sized dogs.

Both of them can have blue eyes, but they may also have brown eyes or one eye of both.

In fact, a blue eyed Australian Shepherd Husky mix is not all that uncommon.

But is there such a thing as a mini Australian Shepherd Husky mix?

And what will the coat of the Australian Husky mix look like?

To find out, let’s take a look at the Australian Husky mix’s parent breeds!

Defining Characteristics of the Australian Shepherd

The typical Australian Shepherd grows to be 18 to 23 inches tall and weighs 40 to 65 pounds.

However, there are mini versions of these dogs, which are actually called miniature American Shepherds.

They can be 13 to 18 inches tall and weigh 20 to 40 pounds.

If you are looking for a mini Australian Shepherd Husky mix, it is likely a cross between a Husky and a mini American Shepherd.

The Australian Shepherd is famous for his gorgeous, double-layered coat which is a bit longer on his body and shorter on his face.

He has short, erect ears and his eyes can be blue, brown, or he can even have one brown eye and one blue eye at the same time!

The Aussie’s beautiful coat can come in six color combinations:

• Black
• Red Merle
• Blue Merle
• Red tricolor
• Black tricolor
• Tan

Defining Characteristics of the Husky

The Husky is another gorgeous breed, hard to mistake for any other with his dense, weatherproof coat and thickly plumed tale.

He weighs around 35 to 60 pounds and grows to be around 20 to 23.5 inches tall.

His thick coat can come in a number of different colors and combinations, including:

• White
• Splash
• Black
• Silver
• Agouti
• Sable
• Piebald
• Blue Belton
• Copper
• Black and Gold
• Brown

Grooming and Overall Care of an Australian Shepherd Husky Mix

As the Aussie and the Husky have such similar coats, their grooming needs are nearly identical.

Caring for your Australian Shepherd Husky mix coat is remarkably easy, despite the amount of fur this crossbreed will have.

While your dog will need weekly brushing to keep his coat and skin looking and feeling its best, he will really only need the occasional bath.

Keep in mind that the Australian Shepherd Husky mix’s purebred parents both shed seasonally.

So twice a year your Australian Shepherd Husky mix will need his coat raked with a wire brush every two or three days.

Because your Australian Shepherd Husky mix is such an active breed, he is going to need special attention given to his nails.

Make sure they are clipped regularly to keep them from breaking.

He will also need his ears checked and cleaned consistently so he does not develop ear infections.

Lifespan and Health Issues of the Australian Shepherd Husky Mix

On average, the Australian Shepherd Husky mix could live anywhere from 12 to 15 years.

It is important to note that he could be susceptible to any of the inheritable health conditions of his parent breeds.

You may want to consider early health screening for your Australian Shepherd Husky mix in order to stay abreast of any potential health issues he may face in the future.

And while early health screening can help to better navigate your Australian Shepherd Husky mix’s overall well-being, we also recommend looking into the health issues of both his purebred parent breeds.

We will begin with the Australian Shepherd.

Lifespan and Health Issues of the Australian Shepherd

With a lifespan of about 12 to 15 years, the Aussie can be predisposed to a few genetic health conditions, including:

• hip dysplasia
• eye diseases
• sensitivity to drugs
• epilepsy

Lifespan and Health Issues of the Husky

The Husky has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, and he is most prone to:

• cataracts
• progressive retinal atrophy
• corneal dystrophy
• uveodermatologic syndrome
• hip dysplasia
• follicular dysplasia
• zinc deficiency
• hypothyroidism

How Do I Train and Exercise My Australian Shepherd Husky Mix?

The Australian Shepherd Husky mix comes from highly active, highly intelligent parents.

This means he may not be the best dog for the novice owner.

This is a crossbreed who is full of cleverness and energy.

He will need lots of mental stimulation and lots of exercise.

A good hour or two of exercise a day should do the trick.

This means nice long walks or jogs, a trip to the dog park, and free-play in a securely fenced backyard.

Your Australian Shepherd Husky mix will also do best with doggy jobs, as previously mentioned.

Of course, early socialization and obedience training beginning in puppyhood are key, but your Australian Shepherd Husky mix will continue to need training throughout his lifetime to stay mentally sound.

Teach him lots of tricks and give him jobs to do, and he will be happy as a clam!

Is My Home Ideal for Owning an Australian Shepherd Husky Mix?

The Australian Shepherd Husky mix is one of those crossbreeds that gets along with just about everyone.

But that doesn’t mean he is the right pet for everyone.

An Aussie Siberian mix will do best in homes with owners who are able to spend time training and playing with him or who have the ability to hire dog walkers or send their dog to doggy daycare if they cannot be around often.

This is a breed who needs consistent exercise and lots of mental stimulation to keep him from becoming bored and destructive.

He will also do best in homes with a large, fenced-in backyard where he can play freely and with owners who are active and energetic enough to keep up with him.

How Do I Find an Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Puppy?

We want to help you find the healthiest and happiest Aussie Siberian puppies available.

Perhaps one of the most important things to keep in mind when hunting for the perfect Australian Shepherd Husky puppy is that research and patience are your two best friends when it comes to puppy-finding.

Reputable breeders will have health screened their litter’s parents, and had the puppies vet-checked. Meaning they should be able to provide you with paperwork proving their pups are good to go home with you.

Buying from a breeder isn’t cheap, and it shouldn’t be.

Breeding healthy puppies from healthy parents requires significant financial investment in health checks, as well as extra food, blankets and everything else new puppies need.

In fact, most Australian Shepherd Husky mix breeders will charge anywhere from $500 to over $1000 for their puppies.

Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Rescue

Are you interested in rescuing your Aussie Siberian puppy from a shelter?

If you are on a budget, then a rescue is a great place to look for an Aussie Siberian mix dog.

Aside from offering a dog in need a home, you will also be able to get your Australian Shepherd Husky mix for a fraction of the cost, with most shelters charging around $50 to $100.

Many shelters will even cover the initial veterinarian cost!

However, finding a Siberian Husky mix puppy at a shelter could be hit or miss.

If you have a specific type of dog in mind, make friends with local shelters, discuss your hopes with them, and be prepared to wait.

Is an Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Right For You?

Australian Shepherd Husky mix dogs can boast of smart, hardworking ancestors on both sides of their family tree.

These dogs will never, ever, get tired before you. Which makes them perfect for homes with lots of outdoor space, and families who love to hike, run and be outdoors too.

They thrive best when they have a sense of purpose. As their owner you will need lots of time to spend making them feel useful.

However, depending on whether they’re more Aussie or Husky, that doesn’t necessarily mean they respond easily to training.

If you’re not confident about dog training, you might want to think twice about taking that gamble.

Are you the happy owner of an Australian Shepherd Husky mix?

Tell us all about it in our comments section below!

References

Borbala Turcsan, Adam Miklosi, Eniko Kubinyi, Owner Perceived Differences Between Mixed-Breed and Purebred Dogs

Tiffani J Howell, Tammie King, Pauleen C Bennett, Puppy Parties and Beyond: the role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior, Volume 6, pages 143-153

Nathan B Sutter and Elaine A Ostrander, Dog Star Rising: The Canine Genetic System, Nature Reviews Genetics, Volume 5, pages 900-910

Lowell Acumen DVM, DACVD, MBA, MOA, The Genetic Connection; a Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs, Second Edition, 2011

Purebred Vs Mutt-Common Objections to Mixed Breed Dogs

Carol Beuchat Ph.D., The Myth of Hybrid Vigor in Dogs…Is A Myth