CAN A HUSKY LIVE IN AN APARTMENT?

Can I Live in an Apartment with a Husky?

Whether or not you can live in an apartment with a dog is always the subject of hot debate. For some, having a dog like the Husky in an apartment is to be avoided at all costs due to lack of space, boredom, no garden, etc. There are plenty of reasons not to do it. But are they justified? We don’t think so. The reality is that almost all dog breeds are perfectly capable of living in an apartment, so long as certain conditions are met and the specificities of the breed are taken into account. So yes, we think you can live in an apartment with a Husky, but it will require some adaptations to ensure your pooch gets enough exercise and doesn’t sink into a deep depression.

The Husky’s temperament is not always the easiest to handle. This dog needs a master who understands the breed and its expectations. For Huskies, it is not necessarily the available space that influences their happiness, but the presence of their masters and the time you have available to devote to them. Housing, while still important, becomes almost secondary if the dog expends enough energy each day and gets to spend lots of time with family, especially outdoors. So, before you worry about living in an apartment, you first need to ask yourself: Is your lifestyle suitable for a Husky? Do you have enough time to devote to a Husky each day? Are you athletic or not? This handsome sled dog will not be satisfied with a homebody who prefers short, peaceful walks to athletic excursions.

The Husky needs present owners and lots of physical and intellectual stimulation. It doesn't matter if there is a huge piece of land at their disposal if your dog is forced to spend all their time alone there. A Husky that lives in an apartment, with an available owner who loves to spend time doing fun activities with them, will be much happier than one who languishes alone at the end of the garden, for example. 

Before adopting a Husky, think carefully about what owning this dog breed entails - whether you live in an apartment in the city or a house in the countryside. Sadly, many Huskies are abandoned every year by owners who underestimated their needs and found themselves unable to care for their magnificent pooch.

How Do You Train a Husky to Live in an Apartment?

The lack of a garden can make some things, such as potty training, more difficult, but it is far from a non-negotiable. In any case, a garden should never be used as an excuse not to take your Husky out. If you live in an apartment, try to devote two to three hours a day to walking your pooch. This is in addition to the shorter trips you need to take after meals to allow your dog to relieve themselves. Ideally, you can take your dog somewhere where they can be let off the lead and run free, but city life does not always allow for this luxury. You may want to research dog parks near your home or large open spaces where dogs are allowed to walk without a lead.

If possible, it’s best to take your Husky out for a run with you. If you like jogging or mountain biking, rollerblading or even scootering, your Husky will be particularly happy to run alongside you. This is a dog with lots of energy to spare. Without regular exercise, Huskies will eventually become bored and sad, which may lead to them developing problematic behaviours, such as barking.

Another thing that’s important to keep in mind: Huskies hate being alone. These doggies are not the type to sit around and wait patiently for hours on end. If you’re away from home on a regular basis, the Husky is not the breed for you. Of course, you will need to be out of the house sometimes, but try never to leave your furry friend alone for more than five hours. Purchase some brain games for your dog to play with while you're gone, to stimulate their mind and keep them occupied. If you can afford it, you could also consider adopting another dog, so that your Husky has a friend to play with. Living with a cat, on the other hand, is not ideal for a Husky. If you have a cat at home or are planning to adopt one, it’s essential to socialise and train your Husky from an early age, as soon as you welcome your puppy home.