Huskita: Your Complete Guide

The Huskita is a loyal, energetic, and alert designer breed of dog that comes from two popular parent breeds – Siberian huskies and Akita Inu. As a medium-large sized dog, they’re affectionate, protective, and highly intelligent when it comes to training as well.

However, as some people that are familiar with huskies will know, these dogs are pretty independent and have traits that might make them dangerous for some other animals.

With that in mind, in this article, we’re going to look in detail at the history of the breed, how you can care for it, whether it’s the right one for you, and lots more! To start off, though, let’s get you acquainted with what the breed is like overall:

Quick Look at the Huskita

Here’s a quick overview, along with ratings for Huskitas in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Huskitas?

The Huskita is a designer dog, meaning it’s a mixed breed resulting from crossing two established breeds: the Siberian husky and the Akita Inu. Unlike its parent breeds who have very rich histories, the Huskita’s origin is actually pretty recent, likely emerging in the late 20th century in the United States.

While both parent breeds have historically served working roles (Siberian huskies as sled dogs and Akitas as hunting dogs), the Huskita wasn’t bred for a specific purpose.

Instead, their breeding reflects a rather problematic trend of creating designer dogs with mixed traits from established breeds. This practice is not recognized by major kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club due to concerns about breed predictability and potential health issues.

Nevertheless, these dogs are known for inheriting the loyalty and working spirit of their parent breeds, making them excellent companions for active individuals or families who can provide them with ample exercise and training.

What Do Huskitas Look Like?

Huskitas are medium to large dogs with a muscular, athletic build. They stand 22-25 inches tall and weigh 50-75 pounds, and their wedge-shaped head boasts triangular ears, almond-shaped eyes (brown, blue, or even mismatched), and a broad muzzle tapering like a husky.

Along with this, they have a double coat, short to medium in length that covers them in a variety of colors and patterns.

Due to their mixed breed nature, you’ll often see that individual Huskitas favor traits more from one parent breed than the other, leading to a wider range of appearances within the breed.

What Size Is a Huskita?

Most Huskitas fall within the 22-25 inches range with their height, and 50-75 pounds with their weight. Although their coat definitely varies a lot since they’re a mixed breed, their weight and height ranges typically don’t fall out of this range.

What Is a Huskita’s Coat Type and Length?

Huskitas sport a unique double coat, for both warmth and protection. A double coat means they have two layers: a soft, dense undercoat for insulation and a slightly coarser, straighter outer coat to guard the undercoat.

The overall length falls within the medium range, similar to a German shepherd. While the outer coat has a slightly coarse texture, it’s not excessively so, and the undercoat remains soft and downy. Unlike some breeds, Huskitas have straight hair, free from any curls or waves, and are not hairless. This double coat also helps them thrive in both cold and warm climates.

What Is a Huskita’s Temperament?

As a blend of the Siberian husky and Akita Inu, Huskitas have personality traits from both parent breeds. This makes them intelligent, independent dogs known for their loyalty and protective nature. Of course, anyone familiar with huskies will also (correctly) anticipate that this breed is high-energy and requires plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

They’re also stubborn and strong-willed, benefiting greatly from early socialization and consistent training. As affectionate as they are with their families, they may remain somewhat reserved with strangers – with some being prone to separation anxiety and becoming destructive if left alone for extended periods.

A family that understands this temperament is critical for the well-being of a Huskita.

Are Huskitas Good With Kids?

These dogs have the most friendly and playful nature of any dog breed. While this can be a good thing with older children who understand proper interaction, their high energy and independent streak may be tricky to deal with around younger kids.

Their strong prey drive and potential for stubbornness require close supervision around young children to ensure safety.

Keeping that in mind, Huskitas might not be the ideal choice if your family includes very young children or if you’re just seeking a calm companion. They can potentially be wonderful companions for older, well-supervised children who understand responsible pet interaction, but that also requires commitment from you in the realm of training, exercise, and supervision.

Are Huskitas Good With Other Animals?

Huskitas’ compatibility with other animals is about as unpredictable as their daily behavior. Once again, careful management and supervision are your best friends when introducing a Huskita to other animals. Here’s a breakdown of their interactions with different types of animals:

• Cats: Huskitas’ strong prey drive, inherited from their Akita parent, can make them a threat to cats, especially smaller ones. Introducing them in controlled settings under professional guidance may be possible in some cases, but close supervision and potentially separate living arrangements are often necessary.
• Dogs: Their interactions with other dogs can vary significantly depending on individual personalities, socialization, and training. While some Huskitas might get along well with other dogs, especially if socialized and trained from a young age, others might exhibit dominance or aggression. It’s crucial to introduce them carefully in neutral territory and supervise interactions closely.
• Prey Animals: Their inherent prey drive makes them a significant threat to smaller animals like guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, and other rodents. Keeping these animals in separate, secure spaces is essential to prevent harm.

This also extends to their behavior towards wild animals as they have a strong instinct to chase and potentially harm squirrels, cats, or birds. Keeping them leashed and supervised during walks in areas with wildlife is crucial to prevent accidents and protect animals in the wild.

Are Huskitas Aggressive?

Huskitas, like any dog breed, are not inherently aggressive. However, their inherent traits might make them more prone to certain types of aggression if not properly managed and trained. While generally friendly towards humans, it’s necessary nevertheless to socialize them early on to prevent potential issues.

They may also exhibit resource guarding like food aggression, territoriality around their space, and as discussed earlier; a strong prey drive leading to chasing or attacking smaller animals.

Individual temperament differs a lot with Huskitas as well. If you’re concerned about your Huskita showing any aggressive tendencies, seeking professional guidance from a dog trainer or behaviorist is the best course of action.

Do Huskitas Bark?

Huskies and Akita Inus are both pretty well known to be vocal, so it’s easy to imagine that Huskitas will have a tendency to bark as well. Huskies, in particular, are quite talkative and can howl, bark, or “talk” to communicate, while Akitas are generally more reserved and may not bark as much unless they sense a threat.

The combination of these two breeds in a Huskita means you get a dog that exhibits a moderate to high level of vocalization. If you’re considering a Huskita for apartment living, be prepared to invest time in their training and exercise needs. Regular walks, playtime, and mental stimulation are going to be a must-have for their well-being and can also help mitigate excessive barking.

Are Huskitas Affectionate?

Huskitas have wild and varying temperaments due to the characteristics of their parent breeds, and that’s no different when it comes to being affectionate.

Siberian huskies are known for their friendliness and love for close interaction, as most people know them to be dogs that enjoy cuddling and being pets. Akitas, while also affectionate, tend to be more reserved and independent.

Now, neither breed is considered lap dogs in the traditional sense (since they’re pretty big), with Siberian huskies leaning towards sitting close to their owners and Akitas displaying a more independent demeanor.

When it comes to interacting with strangers, Siberian huskies are generally sociable and may quickly warm up to new people, whereas Akitas can be more aloof and take time to establish trust.

The behavior of a specific Huskita, once again, will be influenced by its individual combination of genetics and upbringing, emphasizing the importance of early socialization and consistent training.

Are Huskitas Intelligent?

Yes, Huskitas, a crossbreed of Siberian huskies and Akitas, typically inherit intelligence from both parent breeds. These dogs are not only extremely intelligent, but also very loyal to their owners.

Huskitas exhibit a whole blend of traits inherited from their parent breeds. Siberian huskies are notably curious and adventurous, exploring their surroundings with enthusiasm.

Akitas, while not as outwardly curious, can still demonstrate keen observation and awareness. In fact, alertness is another shared characteristic between Siberian huskies and Akitas, both of which have been working dogs in their history as a breed.

Are Huskitas Energetic?

Huskita dogs, just like their parent breeds, are very high in their energy levels. This energy is particularly pronounced in Siberian huskies, originally bred as sled dogs, requiring endurance and strength for long-distance hauling.

This trait is transferred to Huskitas not just from their husky parents, but also Akitas, which are not as overtly energetic but still possess an active disposition.

Exercise requirements for Huskitas typically include regular walks, play sessions, and engaging activities. Due to their strong prey drive, activities like running and playing fetch will be particularly enjoyable for them.

Playtime is crucial for their well-being, and interactive sessions with their owners, coupled with toys that challenge their intelligence, help prevent boredom-related behaviors.

Daily walks are an essential aspect of a dog’s routine, especially for Huskitas, with the recommended duration ranging from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on factors such as age, health, and individual energy levels.

It is important for you, as a potential Huskita owner, to be prepared for an active lifestyle, dedicating time to both physical exercise and mental stimulation.

Are Huskitas Easy to Train?

While their intelligence makes them capable learners, the independent streak from huskies may occasionally introduce a level of stubbornness, necessitating consistent and positive reinforcement-based training methods.

In terms of learning complex tricks, Huskitas generally have a lot of potential to master intricate commands. Their intelligence and agility, especially when paired with positive reinforcement, helps them pick up various behaviors really quickly. Considering their high energy levels, these dogs are often well-suited for agility training.

This not only provides physical exercise but also engages their sharp minds, aligning with their working and hunting background.

That said, training a Huskita demands patience, consistency, and a positive reinforcement approach. Establishing clear boundaries and rewarding good behavior will be critical for you to make this experience positive for both your dog and you.

Are Huskitas Good Watchdogs?

Huskitas make great watchdogs since they can draw on traits inherited from their Siberian husky and Akita parent breeds. Their inherent alertness, showcased by both parent breeds, contributes to quick detection and response to potential threats.

The protective instincts, loyalty, and assertiveness passed down from Akitas make Huskitas vigilant guardians of their family and territory.

While Akitas bring bravery to the mix, the independent nature of Siberian huskies is what ultimately lets Huskitas assess situations and respond in the best way – which could include vocalization.

While they’ve got a lot of inherent traits helping them out at this job, you don’t want that to act as a substitute for socialization and training, which aligns their responses with appropriate cues.

Are Huskitas Good Service Dogs?

Huskitas, as we just mentioned, have a number of traits that make them suitable for certain service roles, though there are a few challenges you need to consider. Their physical strength and endurance, inherited from Siberian huskies and Akitas, will be particularly advantageous for specific service tasks.

However, their independent nature could pose challenges in tasks requiring precise training. When it comes to emotional support roles, their affectionate nature and strong bonds with owners will be a defining factor, but once again, their high energy levels require consistent exercise that struggling owners may not be able to provide.

As therapy dogs, their social disposition and adaptability are their main strengths, and early training and socialization are needed to overcome the less desirable traits.

How to Care for a Huskita?

Caring for a Huskita is no easy task. Here’s a quick overview of what the process looks like for Huskitas:

• Exercise: Provide daily exercise to meet their high energy levels. Regular walks, playtime, and engaging activities help prevent boredom and maintain their physical health.
• Training: Begin training early and use positive reinforcement techniques. Huskitas are intelligent but like to be independent, so consistency and patience are key. Socialize them extensively with and around different people, environments, and situations.
• Grooming: Huskitas shed heavily in summer but not so much in winter. Regular brushing helps control shedding and keeps their coat healthy. Bathe them when necessary and trim their nails regularly.
• Socialization: Due to the Akita’s more reserved nature, early and ongoing socialization is crucial.
• Temperature: Like huskies, these dogs are adapted to colder climates, so be cautious in hot weather. Provide shade, water, and avoid excessive exercise during peak temperatures.

Do You Need to Groom a Huskita?

Huskitas typically require regular grooming, including brushing their double coat at least a few times a week to manage shedding and maintain coat health. Occasional baths and nail trims are necessary for overall hygiene, but you won’t need to go to a professional groomer unless there’s a particularly troublesome mat in their fur.

Do Huskitas Shed?

Huskitas are moderate to heavy shedders, especially during warmer seasons, and they are not considered hypoallergenic due to their double coat, which can trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. If you or someone in your house is allergic, regular brushing will be your best friend here.

What Health Problems Do Huskitas Have?

Huskitas may be prone to health issues such as hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, autoimmune disorders, and bloat. As it goes with any health issue that develops over the long term – regular veterinary check-ups, a balanced diet, and preventive measures like proper exercise and smaller, frequent meals are a must.

Not only can these help manage and reduce the risk of these conditions, but they can also improve your Huskita’s quality of life as a whole.

How Long Do Huskitas Live?

Huskita’s lifespan typically ranges between about 10 to 13 years.

What Should a Huskita Eat?

Feed a Huskita 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry dog food every day, divided into two meals, adjusting based on size, age, and activity level. Choose dog food with 18% to 25% protein, healthy fats, and limited fillers.

Monitor weight, provide fresh water, and select food appropriate for their life stage. Add regular veterinary check-ups and a moderate amount of treats, and you’re golden!

Is a Huskita the Right Dog for Me?

The answer depends on a lot of things – but here are a few factors you should consider: A Huskita is a good fit for individuals or families who lead an active lifestyle and can provide the time and commitment required for this energetic and intelligent breed.

They thrive in environments with space for exercise and mental stimulation, something you should be prepared for alongside regular grooming and training. If you’re looking for a loyal and affectionate pet with a strong, watchful nature, you’ll absolutely love a Huskita.

If you’re adopting a pup, consider investing in early socialization, consistent training, and follow best practices for the overall well-being of this rather unique crossbreed.