The White Alaskan Husky: A Comprehensive Guide

The White Alaskan Husky is a stunning breed that's as beautiful as it is talented.

This breed was developed by the Inupiat people in Alaska to be a working dog, pulling sleds and hunting.

They're an incredibly versatile breed, with a strong prey drive and high energy levels.

Their thick coats, which can be either single or double layered, help them thrive in the harsh Arctic climate.

Their origins as a working dog mean they're naturally intelligent and trainable.

The White Alaskan Husky is a stunning breed, and one of the first things you'll notice is their striking coat color. They are completely white, with a black nose, and no flecks of black, brown, or grey to be found. Their coat is a double layer, made up of a short undercoat and a long outer coat, which helps protect them from snow and rain.

Their eyes are another notable feature - they're born with sharp blue eyes, but can change to brown, black, or bicolored as they grow up. This can be a fun surprise, as you never know what color their eyes will end up being.

Here's a quick rundown of what to expect in terms of size and weight:

The Alaskan Connection is a significant part of the Siberian Husky's history. The breed first arrived in Alaska in 1909, when a Russian group brought several dogs to compete in a sledding competition, where they quickly outran the competition and earned top spot.

These early Siberian Huskies were incredibly resilient, able to withstand extreme cold temperatures. In fact, Alaskan huskies can withstand temperatures as low as -40° C, making them well-suited for the harsh Alaskan climate.

One dog in particular, Togo, played a crucial role in the breed's popularity. Togo was a sled dog who helped deliver a vaccine to Nome during an outbreak, and his journey inspired several films and books over the years. Some even refer to Togo as the Father of the Modern Husky because his owner bred him with dozens of female dogs.

This early history has had a lasting impact on the breed, shaping their physical characteristics and abilities.

The White Husky is a rare color variety of the Siberian Husky, characterized by a completely white coat with a black nose. They can have sharp blue eyes at birth, which may remain or change to brown, black, or bicolored as they grow.

Their size and weight vary depending on their gender, with males weighing between 45-60 pounds and standing 21-24 inches tall, while females weigh between 35-50 pounds and stand 20-22 inches tall.

You can expect a White Husky to have a double coat, consisting of a short undercoat and a long outer coat, which protects them from snow and rain while keeping them warm. Their eyes are also narrowed to protect them from snow glare.

Their long, bushy tails are built to protect them from the cold, and they can even wrap their tail around their face to keep warm while sleeping.

Here's a table summarizing the size and weight of a fully grown White Husky:

White Alaskan Huskies are known for their loving and affectionate nature. They adore being around people and showering them with kisses and cuddles.

These dogs are highly intelligent and thrive on mental and physical stimulation. They need a home with lots of exercise and play, and an outside play area with a high fence is a must to prevent them from escaping.

Huskies are social animals that prefer being in packs, and they do well in homes with multiple dogs. However, they can also get along with other household pets and even strangers.

Their high energy levels make them suitable for people who have a lot of energy, and they love to join their owners on hiking and camping trips. But be warned, they can be a bit annoying when they howl for hours on end, especially if they're bored or anxious.

Huskies are notorious for being stubborn and only responding to commands on their own terms. Consistent early training and one-to-one time are essential to overcome these training challenges.

Related reading: Alaskan Malamute Training

A bored White Husky can turn to destructive behavior, such as chewing, digging, or trying to escape from the house. So, make sure to provide them with plenty of toys and activities to keep them occupied.

In fact, Huskies are so people-friendly that they're not suitable for guard dog duty. They'll get along with just about anyone, including adults, children, and even strangers.

You'll need to brush your white Alaskan husky daily to prevent matting and tangling of their gorgeous thick white coat.

Their coat is designed to insulate them in freezing temperatures, but it can also make them prone to heat stroke, so be sure to exercise them early in the morning or evening when it's cooler.

You'll also need to brush their teeth regularly, ideally two or three times a week from a young age, to prevent dental issues.

Their double coat sheds heavily, especially during shedding season, so commit to weekly brushing throughout the year and daily brushing during shedding season to keep their shedding under control.

Don't forget to trim their claws every month or so, unless they regularly walk or run on concrete, in which case you may only need to trim every two months.

You'll need to brush your White Husky daily, and they might require a weekly bath as well. Their thick coat is a blessing in cold climates, but it can be a curse in warm ones.

Their double coat sheds profusely twice a year, and heavily for the rest of the year, so be prepared to vacuum regularly. Commit to weekly brushing throughout the year and daily brushing during shedding season to minimize the mess.

Brushing your White Husky's teeth is crucial, especially from a young age. Start brushing their teeth two or three times a week, and ideally daily if they'll let you.

You'll also need to trim their claws every month or so, unless they regularly walk or run on concrete, in which case you might only need to trim every two months. Wait until you hear the sound of their claws clicking on a hard surface before trimming to avoid cutting too much.

Your White Husky needs a balanced diet to stay healthy and happy.

The average Husky requires three cups of dog food a day or 1,200 calories.

Feeding your Husky too soon before exercise can lead to intestinal and digestive issues, so it's essential to give them time to digest their food first.

Most owners break their Husky's meals into two equal portions a day, giving them 1.5 cups of dry food in the morning and 1.5 cups in the early evening.

A raw food diet is also suitable for your White Husky, but it requires more effort and can be more expensive.

Huskies do well on a combination of suitable exercise and food levels each day, and the amount of food they need can vary depending on their activity level.

Siberian Huskies require a minimum of 90 minutes of exercise every day. They have boundless energy and can go for a five-mile run without getting tired.

Husky owners typically take three 30-minute or two 45-minute walks with their dogs every day. This helps to keep them happy and healthy.

Your dog will enjoy walking, but they'll prefer running, pulling, or taking part in activities like agility classes or flyball. This is because Huskies are built for endurance and love to stay active.

Avoid over-exercising your Husky in hot and humid weather, as their double coat can make them uncomfortable in these conditions. Despite their hardiness, they're not suited for hot conditions.

You should be prepared to give at least one hour of vigorous exercise a day to keep your Husky happy and engaged. This can be as simple as a run or a play session in the park.

Training a white Alaskan Husky requires patience and consistency. They are highly intelligent, but can be difficult to train due to their independent nature.

First-time owners may find it challenging to train a Husky, so it's essential to start with obedience classes and puppy classes. These classes can help you establish a strong bond with your Husky and teach them basic commands.

Your Husky may perform exceptionally well in classes, but remember that they can be clever enough to distinguish between class and home environments. They may complete training challenges with ease, but disregard your commands when you're at home.

Siberian Huskies need a minimum of 90 minutes of exercise every day, which can be broken down into three 30-minute walks or two 45-minute walks.

Their high energy levels mean they can run for miles and still have energy to spare, making them perfect companions for long runs or hikes.

Huskies are naturally suited to activities like running, swimming, and agility sports, and they'll be just as happy participating in these as they would be on a leisurely walk.

In fact, they need to get at least 5 miles of exercise every couple of days to stay happy and healthy, and they'll be just as happy running or participating in canine sports as they would walking.

You'll need to provide at least one hour of vigorous exercise a day, and ideally this should be in the form of activities that allow them to run and pull, like agility classes or flyball.

Avoid over-exercising your Husky in hot and humid weather, as their double coat can make them prone to overheating.

A fenced-in yard or dog run is essential for a Husky, as they need room to roam and play outside to stay happy and healthy.

Training a Siberian Husky requires patience and positive reinforcement. You should start training as soon as you bring it home.

Siberian Huskies are working dogs and love handling tasks, but they don't respond well to stern words or loud voices. Yelling at your dog can interfere with your bond and make the dog stop trusting you.

Positive reinforcement training is the way to go, but it might take time for a puppy to learn to toilet outdoors instead of on the living room floor. It can take several months for a Husky to learn this.

Obedience classes and puppy classes are important for this breed, but they can be challenging for first-time owners. Your Husky might perform exceptionally well in classes, but disregard all your commands at home.

Don't be surprised if your Husky figures out how to get through an open window and outdoors quickly, but needs persuasion to learn new things. They will use their smart brain to learn what they want to learn, not necessarily what you want them to learn.

Worth a look: Cute Alaskan Malamute Puppies

The average life span of a White Husky is 12 to 14 years, but with proper care, they can live even longer.

Epilepsy is a common condition that affects Huskies, causing seizures that can be scary for both you and your dog.

They can also suffer from eye problems, hip dysplasia, and symptoms associated with inbreeding.

In fact, less than 5% of Huskies are affected by hip dysplasia, a condition typically found in larger breeds.

Deafness and cataracts are also possible due to the gene that gives them their white coats.

A White Husky's vet can make sure they're healthy from the moment you bring a puppy home.

The White Siberian Husky is prone to eye problems, hip dysplasia, and zinc responsive dermatosis.

Here are some common health issues to look out for in your White Husky:

It's worth noting that dogs with white color coats are more prone to deafness than other colors, which can be a genetic problem.

If your puppy is born deaf, there is no cure, but they can learn sign language and live a happy life without sound.