Husky Poodle Mix (AKA Siberpoo): Breed Facts & Temperament

Friendly and sweet with an expressive look that never fails to draw a huge smile on anybody’s face; the Husky Poodle Mix is an interesting designer dog breed that can have a very comic personality when in the mood. While it is affectionate to its family, it never makes any attempt to hide its frustrations or even disgust. It’s a hyperactive hound and one that craves for attention. Forget to give it attention and the Poosky can easily turn into a toddler having a tantrum. But, that’s just what makes this hybrid dog such a wonder to have in a family especially those who welcome a good challenge. And if you think you’d like some challenge, too, then the Siberpoo might be a good test.

History of the Siberpoo

The Husky Poodle was created, perhaps, to infuse the Poodle’s low-shedding characteristics into the Siberian Husky’s tendency to ‘blow’ its coat twice a year. And if you can retain the wolf-like characteristics of the Husky and the intelligence of the Poodle, then you’ve got a winning combination. Sadly, there’s no way to confirm whether this is really the intention of whoever created the very first Siberpoo.

This is the main problem with designer dog breeds. Unlike the majority of purebreds whereupon one can easily trace their histories, only a limited number of hybrid dogs have complete documentation as to how they were created. While the actual process of crossbreeding is not novel, with many of today’s purebreds having been created this way, it was only in the late 20th century that interest in designer dogs got into a frenzied pace. With celebrities and A-listers showcasing their hybrid dogs as if they’re purebreds, many of these crossbreeds became an instant hit. Almost everyone wanted a Siberpoo or any of the other crossbreeds.

Why does this matter? If the popularity of the Siberpoo picked up together with other hybrids in the 1990s, it is safe to assume that the very first Huskydoodle may have been created a decade or two earlier. This was the case with the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle. They became popular also in the 1990s leading many dog lovers to believe that they were also created in the same period. Little do they know that the Labradoodle has been around since the 1950s and the Goldendoodle was created in 1969. It is, thus, plausible that the Huskypoo may have also been created in the 1970s or 80s at the latest.

One thing is certain, though – the Siberpoo is definitely made in the USA.

Who Are the Parents?

Just because there’s no information as to who created the first Siberpoo doesn’t mean the end for this lovable dog. We can still have an idea as to just what kind of dog it really is by reviewing who its parents are. Hopefully, we’ll gain an understanding of the line of thinking of the one who created this designer dog.

Poodle

It has a remarkably sunny disposition, boundless energy, and a sense of humor that can rival Moe, Larry, and Curly of the Three Stooges. But don’t count the Poodle as anything more than a clownish dog; it happens to be the world’s 2nd best four-legged Einstein. Often mistaken as a French original, the Poodle is a venerable duck- and bird-hunter from Deutschland.

Aside from its intelligence, unfathomable love of their family, a remarkable sense of humor, and ease of training, Poodles are best known for their curly coats which can be both a curse and a blessing at the same time. For allergy sufferers, the low-shedding Poodle is always a joy to cuddle with. Unfortunately, its wavy and curly coat also means that it needs meticulous grooming, lest you turn it into a rag. Not only that, what was once considered a practical approach to enhancing the hunting capabilities of the Poodle is now largely viewed as a joke. Show poodles often present shaved, poofed, and with hair extensions to give them an outright ridiculous appearance.

But beyond this travesty is a people-pleasing, friendly, and super happy dog that loves mingling with people and interacting with other hounds. Their wit and natural clownish behavior make them the darling of the crowd, so long as they don’t get that pompous getup that many dog owners put on their Poodles. Just like circus clowns, Poodles use their intelligence in learning a variety of tricks and their agility and stamina in performing in front of a large crowd.

Siberian Husky

There’s no denying that the Husky is a handsome dog. It’s the closest thing we could ever get to having a wolf in our homes. With its wolf-like mask, sparkling eyes, and hulking size can be an excellent deterrent to whoever wants to enter your home unwelcome. Unfortunately, it really doesn’t have a clue whether to guard your house or not. What it would love to do, however, is to play with you and your kids every chance it gets.

The Siberian Husky has a thick coat. Whatever you do, the coat should never be clipped or trimmed short because its undercoat is what keeps it cool in summer and warm in the winter. Too bad, not many folks understand this. Not only are they giving the Husky an unwelcome look, they also expose it to a handful of problems. One problem with the Husky’s coat is that it ‘blows’ twice a year, maybe not as heavy as the German Shepherd but can still be a major headache for those unprepared for having plenty of pet hair in their homes.

Revered for their speed, endurance, and remarkable tenacity when it comes to getting the work done, Huskies came into American national consciousness in the now-iconic Great Race of Mercy in 1925. No other dog breed can ever lay claim to having such popularity in such a short span of time. No wonder the Siberian Husky remains one of the most sought-after breeds even in the 21st century.

Quick Facts

Interested in getting a Husky Poodle? We know you do. But before you start on a frantic search for the best-looking Siberpoo, you may want to check these very important facts first so you will know that you are getting the right dog.

• The Husky Poodle Mix comes in a variety of names such as Siberpoo, Huskypoo, Huskydoodle, Poosky, and Siberian Poodle.
• The Huskypoo can grow anywhere from 13 to 25 inches tall. You should know that a Standard Poodle should always be at least 15 inches tall. If it’s smaller than 15 inches, it’s possible that you’re looking at a Miniature Poodle parent.
• The weight of the Siberpoo is less variable than its height, typically ranging from a modest 45 lbs to a heftier 60 lbs.
• The average lifespan of a Huskydoodle is 11.5 years, with a minimum of 10 and maxing out at 13.
• It comes with a muscular build, not flabby or fat.
• It may have wavy and dense coat, but otherwise silky soft and medium-length. The color can be in black, white, or brown with distinct markings on both the head and chest.
• Its ears usually take on the floppy pinna of the Poodle, not the upright ears of the Siberian Husky.

Things You Should Know

Now that you have an idea of how to spot a real Huskydoodle, it’s time to assess whether you’re prepared to take care of its very needs. Pay attention as some dog owners tend to overlook these essential requirements, hoping that everything will fall into its rightful place. Like all dogs, the Huskypoo requires your care and attention.

Training

Being the offspring of a genius parent, the Siberpoo should be relatively easy to train. Not quite. You also need to factor in the characteristics of the other parent. While the Poodle is such a joy to train, the Siberian Husky’s stubborn streak can get in the way of a more successful training of the Siberpoo. Oh, it will test you. It wants to know if you’ve got what it takes to be its leader.

One way you can address this is by starting the training very early in the pup’s life. Eight weeks should be just right. Additionally, keeping the training short yet interesting should help you get the Siberpoo to learn your commands. More importantly, be ready with treats, praises, and plenty of other rewards as these will get your Huskypoo to associate the desired behavior with a pleasant experience.

Patience is a virtue that will be advantageous to anyone who wishes to own a Husky Poodle. It can be easily trained, provided you know what you’re doing. It will test the limits of your patience. As such, it is not suited for those with a relatively short fuse.

Feeding

The Huskydoodle leads a rather active lifestyle. It’s a muscular hound, too. As such, you will need to watch the food that you give. Always invest in dog food that contains high-quality, novel animal proteins as its main ingredient. This will address the continuing development of its muscles while also boosting its immune system.

Also, choose one that comes with healthier versions of fatty acids such as omega-3 especially DHA and EPA. These should help maintain the health of its coat. You can give carbs but stay away from allergenic grains and high glycemic foods. It’s best to check the ingredients so you can give the Siberpoo all the vitamins and minerals that it needs. If you can get gut-friendly probiotics and joint-healthy substances, then these should be made as an integral part of its diet.

Feeding the Siberpoo is best accomplished on a twice or thrice daily basis. You’d have a much better chance of ensuring healthier digestion and the prevention of bloat if you feed it smaller portions at more frequent intervals.

For more guides on choosing the right dog food, you may wish to check out our reviews of the best high protein dog food, organic dog food, wet dog food, cheap dog food and dog food toppers.

Exercise

The Poodle is a hunter while the Husky is a sled dog, both of which are venerable working dogs. You cannot expect that just because you combined them, these traits will be naturally extinguished. As such, the Siberpoo will expect you to take it out for a good run or maybe even a casual walk that should last anywhere between 60 and 90 minutes twice a day. If you cannot guarantee this, then you either forget about getting a Huskypoo or you prepare yourself for more destructive canine behaviors such as digging, destructive chewing, and others. Huskydoodles will want you to take them on a hike or even for a swim.

Mental exercises are also important for the Husky Poodle. This dog will grow very bored if it doesn’t have anything to do. While playtime and physical exercise may provide the necessary outlet for them not to feel bored, they also need activities that will help stimulate their brains. Puzzle and interactive dog toys will always be nice to have in the home.

Socialization

One of the greatest drawbacks (if you can call it such) of the Siberpoo is that it demands attention. You cannot really blame it since it was bred especially to be a family pet. It loves being around its owner, following him wherever he goes. This can be quite problematic for a variety of reasons. First, if it feels you’re not giving it the attention it thinks it deserves, it will create situations that will make you notice it. You may not like what it does, but it’s the Huskydoodle’s way of getting your attention. Secondly, if you don’t have anyone to stay with it when you’re away, expect it to get really depressed, and experience separation anxiety. Again, this can spell trouble.

It also loves playing with children, although it doesn’t take too kindly to kids who tend to pull on its coat, tail, or ears. It can snap. This is not an American Bulldog that will let your kid do whatever he or she pleases. It is for this reason that it’s not the best dog to have when you’ve got little kids not older than 8 years old in the home. It’s also not the best hound to have if you’re already a senior since its active lifestyle and highly demanding demeanor can put a strain on the elderly.

Early socialization can help mitigate these problems. Sadly, like training, the Siberpoo isn’t that easy to socialize especially when it’s already fully grown. You’ll have better chances at success if you do it while it’s still a puppy.

Grooming

The Husky Poodle is a low- to a moderately-shedding designer dog, depending on which of the parents has a more dominant trait. If it’s the Siberian Husky, expect more shedding. If it’s the Poodle, then there will be less. Regardless, you’re still expected to take care of its coat at least twice a week; better if more frequent. Giving it a bath is always a good idea. Just don’t do it very frequently; lest you also remove the oils that naturally protect its skin.

Nail clipping every 21 days is ideal, although you can have it every month. Dental care should be an everyday business. However, given the impracticality of daily brushing, twice weekly is sufficient. Inspecting the ears prior to cleaning is always a must as you want to take this opportunity to check for any problems before they get worse.

For more help on dog grooming, you may wish to read our guides on the best dog nail grinders, thinning shears, dog dryers, dog bathtubs, dog ear cleaners, dematting tools for dogs, puppy shampoos  and dog clippers.

Health

Skin problems, kidney disorders, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia are very common among Siberpoos. It is also possible that it will inherit other diseases that its parents and their forebears had. Testing for genetic disease markers can help screen for potential health problems and help you prepare for better care.

The Huskydoodle is great for…

• Families and couples that lead an active lifestyle, enjoy the great outdoors, and love exercise
• Families with kids who are not younger than 8 years of age
• Individuals who have spacious gardens or yards with high enough perimeter fencing
• Those who have the patience and perseverance to train and socialize a dog no matter what it takes
• Those who understand and can readily employ positive reinforcement in training the Siberpoo
• Those who can give their undivided attention

The Siberpoo is not recommended for…

• Idle folks and couch potatoes
• Individuals who don’t like frequent grooming, dental, ear, and nail care for dogs
• Families with very small kids
• Families and individuals who don’t have time to train and socialize dogs

Temperament

It’s sweet, affectionate, and very friendly. But don’t misconstrue this as something that the Siberpoo will give freely. It demands that you repay it with the same level of affection and attention it gives you. They are very expressive and will never hesitate to show you their feelings especially if they think you’re not giving them the attention they need. They are very cheerful and playful around kids. But when not in a good mood, the Huskydoodle can readily show its teeth. They only respond to someone who has a firm knowledge and understanding of their unique temperaments.

The Husky Poodle has the energy, sweetness, and friendliness of its parents. Unfortunately, its ever-increasing demand for attention can spell trouble for those who fail to recognize this fundamental need. But if you can work your way around such a demanding designer dog, the Huskydoodle can still be a great companion.

Sources:

1. Siberpoo – designermixes.org
2. Poodle Husky Mix Facts – The Dog Digest