Why are Huskies on the restricted breeds list?

Posted by Sean Bartlett

You can never stop to pet a fluffy big Siberian husky once you see them on the road. Huskies are a lovable breed that is a favourite among pet owners. They are loud, dramatic, have big personalities, and never shy around from howling their concerns. Their behaviour is tagged as “reactive”, implying that they are quick to show their reactions to situations they dislike. And given a husky, you are sure to understand if that reaction is a little too loud or dramatic and, in some cases, even aggressive. 

Given Husky’s propensity to react quickly, they are considered to be dangerous and have been put on the restricted breeds list in many countries. 

Why are Huskies considered dangerous?

Huskies resemble their wolf ancestors very closely and are some of the fittest dogs in the world. Their lupine ancestry makes them fairly dangerous, and when combined with their athletic physique, this breed was responsible for mauling around 26 people to death alone in U.S. and Canada. 

Huskies have enough force to break small bones and tear away flesh with ease. They have a lot of energy and cannot stay away from their owners for long. They become restless without activity and need rigorous training and exercise for their temperament to calm down. But much like other dog breeds, Huskies respond to training well. When trained carefully and maintained well in a comfortable environment with no triggers, Huskies can be good companions. 

Why are Huskies on the restricted breeds list?

Are Huskies dangerous to humans?

While Huskies are normally seen as placid dogs that often showcase their feelings with loud bouts of howling, they certainly hold a mean streak in them. Even though Huskies are aggressive, they are less likely to kill full-grown humans. They can surely break some small bones and harm a person lethally if they have a mind for it. Children are especially susceptible to huskies and should never be left alone with one. 

Many issues can be prevented through muzzling in public spaces or around children. They also need to be trained exceptionally and regularly exercise in a controlled environment. 

Are Huskies aggressive towards other dogs?

The straightforward answer to this question is yes, Huskies can be aggressive and dangerous towards other dogs, and there are several reasons behind this possibility. 

  • One, you Husky might not have been exposed to other dogs while it was a puppy or during the start of its training. Dogs normally learn early how to play and interact with other dogs, and a lapse in learning could make them aggressive towards other dogs. 
  • Another reason could be that Huskies are generally territorial and dominant breeds. Their aggression could be a way to protect what they see as their territory or their owner. 

How to deal with an aggressive Husky?

Why are Huskies on the restricted breeds list?

It is important to remember that aggression is just a reaction to anything your Husky witnesses. So the simple way to control aggression is to control your dog's environment and train it better to control urges. 

  • The first step would be to ensure that your dog is always in a controlled environment where it is already aware of behaving. 
  • If you are unsure of the environment and the triggers present there, then have the dog on the leash and muzzle. 
  • List down and be aware of the behaviour triggers to identify any chances of stress and aggression beforehand. Look for patterns in your dog’s aggression and have planned out ways to manage them.     

Are Siberian Huskies allowed in apartments?

Why are Huskies on the restricted breeds list?

Landlords often forbid certain breeds to be allowed in apartments for liability issues. Sadly, Huskies have found a way on this list.  Huskies are also large dogs, and many apartments have weight limits for pets. They are also believed to be easily agitated and aggressive, which makes them vulnerable around other little dogs and even children. Their higher prey drive urges them to attack. 

But when considering this from a different angle, say even if huskies were allowed, they are not suited for apartment life. Huskies were built to pull sledges and run long distances in the snow, and they need the cold and have tons of energy to be managed through exercise. It is this pent up energy combined with boredom that makes them a destruction machine.

How to get around breed restrictions in apartments

One of the biggest challenges for pet owners is finding a suitable apartment for them and their pets. Pets usually have specific needs for space, open-air and easy accessibility to dog parks. But the search for this perfect apartment becomes even more challenging, considering some landowners' breed restrictions in place. If you are lucky enough to find an apartment suitable for dogs, you need to overcome the breed restrictions. Here are some ways that you can get around the breed restrictions

  • Get a complete DNA test done for your dog. This way, you would be better aware of your dog’s propensity towards certain actions beforehand. If you have a mixed-breed dog, you can also tell what ailments they are likely to suffer from. 
  • Get professional training for your dog so that they can be on their best behaviour all the time. Obedience training will ensure that your dog is well behaved in front of your neighbours, landlord, and other pets. The certification will also make it easy to persuade future landlords to keep an open mind. 
  • Rent from private owners instead of a company because it is generally easier to persuade them. Companies usually have stringent policies and eligibility criterias in place that cannot be changed. 
  • Get pet insurance for your Husky to ensure that you can cover any property damages or litigations. Make sure to read and check whether your policy covers the breed or not. 

So give your Husky consistency, training and ample exercise and play to have them on their best behaviour. Taking care of a Husky is a lot, especially when you already have your plate full. So, please remember to research well about the breed and the care they require before adopting a Husky.