Siberpoo Basics
Looking for a dog breed that boasts one of the most enjoyable names to say out loud? Then the Siberboo might be for you. Say it quickly enough and it sounds like some sort of futuristic digital bowl movement, which will offer all sorts of fun imagery and one-liners to share at parties. Of course, there’s far more to love and appreciate in these beautiful animals than their incredibly entertaining name. It’s just a fun bonus worth noting.
The Siberpoo – also known as the Poosky, Huskydoodle, or Huskypoo(each an every one of them a incredibly fun name to say)– is a designer breed created by mixing a Siberian Husky with a Poodle. The Siberpoo is a high energy dog that require a great deal of exercise and stimulation. Siberpoos are not ideal for apartment life or for people who don’t have experience with large/independent breeds. They would be suited for someone who hikes or runs frequently and has experience with the husky breed. In other words, apartment bound elderly people who don’t exercise often would be wildly inappropriate owners for this particular pup.
The Siberpoos is a unique-looking dog that tends to carry on the colors and markings of the husky, but with more of a poodle-like coat. They sometimes even have the blue or multi-colored eyes of the husky. The original goal for this mixing of purebreds was to pass on the hypoallergenic traits of the poodle to the litter, but not all Siberpoos end up inheriting this coveted quality. If you’re looking into getting a Siberpoo because you have allergies, it’s best that you spend time with your potential new pet before making a final decision- just to be sure.
In case you’re just fascinated by the unique appearance and independent, intelligent nature of the breed, read on to learn more about what Siberpoos are like. This will help ensure you’re making the right decision for both your family and your new pet! So, keep your eyes glued to this page and scroll on. You are about to learn everything that you could possibly want to know about the Siberpoo.
The Siberpoo is a designer breed created by mixing a Siberian Husky with a Poodle.
Origin
The Siberpoo is the result of the designer dog craze- or, more specifically, the doodle mixes craze- that started out in the late 1980s. As the Poodle is an intelligent and friendly dog with a non-shedding coat, it possesses a lot of traits that breeders would like to see in other dog breeds- hence the idea to create world’s first hypoallergenic seeing eye dog from two existing purebreds. It just made so much sense from the initial breeder’s perspective.
When the Labradoodle first made its appearance, no one knew how popular this mix would become, or how it would pave the way for many other purebred crosses yet to be developed. The Siberpoo was one of the Poodle mix designer dogs that followed, but unfortunately there are no details about when or where these stunning dogs were first developed. Sure, there might have been accidental mixes of these two purebreds throughout history, but it’s the intentional development that counts and sadly we have no documentation about when or where that first happened.
Despite not having exact data, we can safely assume that Siberpoo is not unlike most other doodle hybrids and that these dogs were first created sometime in the last 20 to 30 years in the United States. That’s about all that can be guessed about the origin of these beautiful animals at this point. Sadly, most breeders simply did not keep any official documentation about developing this breed and no one has stepped up to take credit for supervising the first official mix.
Pedigree
Siberpoos are a mixture of Siberian Husky and Standard Poodle. This is 50-50 percent mix of the two breeds, or a so-called first generation hybrid, where both parents purebreds. As a result, the litter two different purebreds produce can vary in looks and behavior. There’s no way to guarantee which of the parent’s will be more dominant, so each and every Siberpoo puppy can be different and unique (Some dog owners cherish this uniqueness, while others are frustrated by the lack of consistency. It’s all a matter of taste). Of course, there are certain general tendencies that breeders have noticed with these mixes. For instance, the husky coloring tends to be dominant, so it’s all too rare to find a Siberpoo that is all one color.
Additionally, there can also be multigenerational designer dogs, with different percentages of either breed in the mix (e.g. 70 percent Poodle, 30 percent Husky), rather than the standard 50-50 ratio. These hybrid are more predictable, so some may find them preferable. Multigenerational Siberpoos are still rare, though, as this is a new breed that’s yet to see the expansion of some other poodle mixes.
Since this is a dog of mixed breed origin and not a standard breed, Siberpoo is not eligible for registration with American Kennel Club or its international counterparts (sadly these organizations remain prejudiced against designer dogs). Owing to this, there won’t be any official pedigree papers for your Siberpoo puppy, but make sure to ask to see the papers from parents as proof of good breeding. A reputable breeder will also offer a certificate from a smaller club and/or a health guarantee for their puppies. If you encounter a breeder unwilling to provide this, then they are not a breeder to be trusted or supported.
Food/Diet
Siberpoos are a large breed dog and this needs to be taken into consideration when feeding. Large breed formulas are recommended, or an all-natural diet. They will eat quite a bit since they are so active, but it’s important to moderate their feeding to keep them from gaining wait.
Siberpoos have a thick coat, so a salmon oil supplement will help keep their coat shiny and soft. Glucosamine supplements should be an addition to their food as they age since they are a large breed dog. All that running around can put pressure on their joints.
If you are in any way concerned about establishing or altering your dog’s diet, then it is wise to consult with a veterinarian first. While pet food manufacturers and pet blogs provide useful feeding guidelines, they are still just guidelines and should not be treated as gospel. All dogs are different after all, each with their own needs. The only person qualified to determine the specific dietary needs of your personal pooch is a vet. So always seek out the advice of your pup’s good doctor before making any significant changes to what you poor into your dog’s bowl.
Siberpoos require training from the moment they are brought home.
Training
Siberpoos require training from the moment they are brought home. None of those impressionable young puppy days are too go to waste. They need a strict routine while growing up to prevent problem behaviors from arising. Crate training is essential because they tend to get into things they shouldn’t when left alone.
Upon bringing home a Siberpoo, sign up for group obedience classes. While it is possible to train one of these dogs on your own, it is best to do so in a group. In training classes your dog will learn to listen to the owner, socialize with other dogs and learn manners. A professional’s help right off the bat will make a world of difference when owning a Siberpoo. Don’t wait until problems start to arise because then it’s much more difficult to fix. Get professional help immediately to ensure that your Siberpoo grows up to be their best self.
Siberpoos enjoy activities such as agility and obedience. They require a great deal of mental stimulation in addition to exercise to keep them happy and calm. These are not dogs for inactive owners who need to leave their pets alone for extended periods of time. These pups need a great deal of daily activity and near constant attention in order to thrive.
Weight
The weight of a Siberpoo ranges from 45 to 60 pounds.
Temperament/Behavior
While Siberpoos can be great companion dogs, they are not for everyone. They do best with a firm owner who will exercise them frequently. They are not recommended for first time dog owners or for families with small children. The responsibility is simply too great for that.
Siberpoos are amazingly smart and require constant stimulation. They are the type of dog that needs a job – and if they don’t have one, they will find one themselves (likely one that you won’t enjoy). But unfortunately, the Siberpoo won’t do the dishes – he will knock them all off the counter. Destructive behaviors are common in these guys when left unattended for long periods of time. They can become real troublemakers without enough attention and stimulation.
Common Health Problems
There aren’t any health issues specific to Siberpoos, so it’s important to look to the parent breeds to understand what may arise. By mixing the two breeds together, the problems are less likely, but can still crop up. Both breeds are known for having hip dysplasia and other leg/joint problems so keep an eye on the dog’s gait. If it limps or walks differently, be sure to see your vet. It’s important to maintain regularly scheduled checkups with a vet (especially as your pooch ages into its senior years) to ensure that any potential health issues are identified and treated as quickly as possible.
Life Expectancy
Siberpoos tend to live between 10 and 13 years, but this is just an estimate.
Exercise Requirements
Siberpoos require massive amounts of exercise. This is not a good dog for someone who isn’t active. They love to run and need to do it frequently. Siberpoos are ideal for outdoorsy people who love to hike and camp. One walk around the block is not nearly enough for these guys, they need to walk/run for miles.
Not only does the Siberpoo require physical exercise, they also require mental exercise. Obedience training, engaging toys and agility are great ways to keep their minds occupied and them out of trouble.
While Siberpoos can be great companion dogs, they are not for everyone.
Recognized Clubs
As it’s a designer breed, the Siberpoo is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. It is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc (DRA), the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Coat
The coat of the Siberpoo varies from dog to dog since it’s a designer breed. What stands out is that they typically maintain the markings of the husky. Siberpoos are hypoallergenic, so they are great for husky lovers that are allergic to dander.
The Siberpoo will require regular brushing because they do shed, and sometimes they require trimming to prevent matting.
Puppies
Siberpoo puppies are fluffy little balls of energy. Don’t let their cuteness fool you, though, as even at a young age they require daily exercise and training. It’s important to start working with your cute little mix early on, to ensure any bad habits or behavioral traits are weeded out and that your puppy grows into a well-behaved, happy dog.
