In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Australian Shepherd Husky mix. These days, there are a lot of really great dogs that come from mixing quality breeds.
We have dogs like the Goldendoodle, Cavapoo, Cockapoo, Puggle, and of course, the Ausky. Most of the time, when you get one of these dogs, you get a high-quality dog that brings you the best of both breeds. You will see them more commonly just referred to by the mix’s name, but you can call them whatever you like.
These beautiful dogs bring together the Husky and the Australian Shepherd, and the result is a gorgeous, intelligent dog. We will talk about their size, temperaments, coats, and anything else you might need to know in a complete guide.
Before scrolling down this guide about the Australian Shepherd Husky Mix, you can check out these similar mixed breeds: Border Collie Husky Mix Guide and Chihuahua Husky Mix Guide.
Learning About The Ausky
As we mentioned earlier, the Ausky is a mixed breed that comes from breeding together an Australian Shepherd and a Husky. So, therefore, you might hear them as Ausky or even Aussie Siberian.
They all have different nicknames. This is considered a designer breed, which means they will be costly to get your hands on, and you very well might have to get on a waiting list to wait for an available litter as well.
However, they also show up at shelters and rescues, so adoption is an option. These dogs tend to be an active breed, but they are also very loyal and protective of their humans.
They get great traits from both sides of the coin, so you really can’t go wrong here. They are very active dogs their lives, so this breed is great if you like to get outdoors and do things and be active.
Related: Australian Shepherd German Shepherd Mix Guide and Beagle Aussie Mix Guide.
Appearance
Let’s talk about the looks you can expect of this type of dog. First off, can we say they are gorgeous dogs? Both the Australian Shepherd and the Husky are great-looking dogs on their own.
When you put them together, the result is phenomenal. Their colors can vary. You might get the marbled colors, or you might get brown, gray, black, or silver. Most of them have at least two colors, but some have several colors in their coats.
It mainly depends on the parents and what their colorings were like. These dogs have a lot of hair. They will be shedding dogs, and you will have to stay on top of that. You may feel like you’re cleaning up your dog’s hair all of the time.
It’s just part of the territory with these dogs. Their coat is very thick. They are comfortable in cold weather, thanks to their dense double coats. The length of the coat is about the medium, and the hair is typically straight.
They may get some wave from the Australian Shepherd coat if they have longer hair, but it won’t be curly. These dogs are considered to be medium-sized dogs. They will grow to about 20 to 25 inches in height, and you can expect them to weigh anywhere from 35 to 65 pounds.
This will depend on whether you get a male or a female and the size of their parents. The eyes are another phenomenon. Huskies are known for having blue eyes often. Australian Shepherds are known for sometimes having one blue eye and then an eye of another color.
You may end up with two blue eyes, one blue eye, or none. Their eye colors fall into black, brown, blue, silver, or a combination of two colors. Expect your Ausky to have floppy ears, although they may also stand up some.
Recommendations: Best Shock Collars For Medium Dogs.
Personality
Now, let’s talk about that personality. Both of these dogs are known for being very active dogs. They love to run and play. Huskies have been running their lives as sled dogs, while Australian Huskies are herding breeds.
These dogs are powerful guardians, so they are likely to bark when a stranger is near or feel their people are in danger. In addition, this mixed breed and both of these individual breeds are incredibly smart.
They are known for their intelligence. You’ve most likely seen videos of huskies talking to people. That’s one small indication of how smart they are. Both breeds have been used as watchdogs in homes and serve as guardians or service, rescue, or therapy dogs.
They are energetic and independent but also loving and caring dogs. Australian Shepherd Husky trains incredibly easily compared to some breeds out there.
They learn new skills quickly and easily and don’t take excessive effort to train, just consistency. With that in mind, they can also be a little stubborn and independent.
You can expect to get a bit of attitude now and then and quite possibly the feeling that your dog thinks they can do whatever they want. In a sense, it’s the best of both worlds, but their stubborn streak could be frustrating at times for some owners.
Of course, because they are easily trainable, you can usually work around that pretty well. These dogs are even suitable for first-time dog owners because of their demeanor and trainability.
Related: Top Friendliest Dog Breeds with Pictures.
Grooming Expectations
You will most definitely need to plan for regular grooming. Remember that these dogs shed a lot. In addition, they have a lot of hair, so you must be ready to maintain their coats.
It will make a difference in their appearance, and it will make a difference in their comfort. Regular grooming completed by you is just another way for you to bond with your dog.
You can use a professional groomer regularly, but you should also plan to be involved with daily brushing (maybe twice a day) of your dog to help moisturize their coats and keep them neat and clean.
This will also help prevent issues with tangles and matting, which can be a problem because of the hair of their coat. We already mentioned that this breed would shed a lot. There are dog detangler sprays that you could use.
Both breeds alone are heavy shedders, so the mixed breed sheds quite a bit. Regular brushing will also help to control some of the sheddings. A slicker is a great brushing option.
These can work through their double coats, effectively brushing through the thick layers to keep their coats healthy and untangled. It is recommended that you brush their coats at least five times a week, but if you make it to 3, that will at least keep them maintained for the most part.
Not every dog likes to be brushed, and it may take some training and gentleness on your part to get your dog comfortable with the process. Now, that’s brushing but trimming and keeping the coat cut is also an essential element of grooming for your Australian Shepherd Husky mix.
Bathing is also an important element. You can bathe this breed as necessary to help with dirt and odors. You can also hold bathing time for a groomer, along with trimming, if you prefer.
Plan to bathe every 2-4 weeks, but there are times it might be more often. You want to use products that are good for moisture on their coat while also gentle on their skin. Look for things like oatmeal and aloe vera in a doggy shampoo.
You will probably also want to use conditioner since they have long hair. However, when it comes to trimming hair, shears always are intended to move in the same direction as your dog’s hair growth.
This makes it a simple process. These dogs have medium-length hair, which is relatively long. You have to help keep them trimmed to take the best care of their coats.
In the summertime, you may want to consider thinning their coat to help keep them more relaxed as well. In the winter, let their coats keep their natural thickness as this keeps them comfortable in the cold weather.
It’s ok to use a groomer for your dog’s bigger bathing, trimming, and deeper cleaning/grooming needs. They are trained for this kind of thing.
Related: How Long Does Dog Grooming Take and How Do Your Groom with a Slicker Brush?
Health
These dogs have a pretty good life span. They are generally pretty healthy as well. The Australian Shepherd Husky typically lives anywhere from 12-14 years when they are appropriately cared for.
Of course, the things around them and their genetics can affect their total life span. Every dog is different, but these dogs typically have good health.
You will find that there are health elements from both breeds that come into play. The Husky is more prone to health issues than the Australian Shepherd. Here are some of their most common health challenges.
- Heatstroke: Their thick coats make hot weather much harder on them. They can develop heatstroke if they are too long or overworked in the heat.
- Hip dysplasia: This is a common ailment for medium to large dogs. It is more common in older dogs and similar to arthritis in their hips. This breed sometimes struggles with hip dysplasia at an early age due to joint inflammation. Keep your Ausky active and walking regularly to help reduce the possibility.
- Epilepsy: Huskies have been known to have epilepsy. This is a seizure condition, and there is more than one possible cause. You will need to work with your vet if you notice signs of this with your pup.
- Cataracts: This breed can sometimes get cataracts, particularly as they get older. It causes some cloudiness in their vision.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Finally, this condition also affects your dog’s vision, although more dramatically than cataracts will. This is caused by the retina experiencing atrophy, which may lead to blindness in some dogs.
It’s crucial that if you get one of these dogs, you are willing and able to provide for their health needs. Find a veterinarian in your area that you can trust and be familiar with these breeds as they will be able to provide the best care for them.
It’s also helpful to get details from the breeder if you used one. Most breeders will have evaluations, and genetic testing completed so that they can make you aware of any potential health issues. This is not always a full guarantee of health, but it can be helpful in the early detection of possible issues.
Related: Best Dog Foods For Joint Health and Rare Dog Diseases Every Owner Should Know.
Training and Exercise
We’ve talked slightly about training and exercise, so this will be short and sweet. We want to be sure that you are well aware this is a very active breed. Their temperaments and intelligence typically make them reasonably easy to train.
They also make great service, rescue, and therapy dogs for the same reasons. They do well with families. Australian Shepherd Husky’s are very loyal dogs, and they will be protective of their families as well.
As long as you teach your children how to treat a dog, they should interact just fine together. The Ausky needs to get a lot of stimulation every day to fulfill their activity needs. You should plan on 60 to 90 minutes of physical stimulation for them every day.
They need to be able to run and play. They also love to hike and play fetch. Your dog could be a strong chewer, so be sure to keep them occupied and work with them on appropriate things to chew on. When they get bored, that’s when they are most likely to get into trouble.
Recommendations: Best Dog Playpen For Hardwood Floors and Best Weighted Vest For Dogs.
Conclusion For “Australian Shepherd Husky Mix Guide”
The Australian Shepherd Husky mix, or Ausky, is a gorgeous dog that is super smart. As long as you know what to expect of the breed and how you can work with some of their unique character traits, your bonding will be strong. Are you ready to get your Ausky now?
For more content similar to this Australian Husky mix guide, you can check out:
You can learn more about this mixed dog breed by watching “Husky Australian Shepherd Mix – Should You Even Get This Breed For Yourself” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
Why Trust We Love Doodles?
At We Love Doodles, we’re a team of writers, veterinarians, and puppy trainers that love dogs. Our team of qualified experts researches and provides reliable information on a wide range of dog topics. Our reviews are based on customer feedback, hands-on testing, and in-depth analysis. We are fully transparent and honest to our community of dog owners and future owners.