Sheltie Husky Mix [Sheltsky] - Full Profile, Pictures, Q&As

Sheltie Husky mixes are as unique as they are rare.

They’re highly energetic and intelligent and pack a lot of personality into a relatively small body. They can be challenging for people who don’t have the time to exercise them, but they’re more than worth the effort.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything there is to know about the Sheltie Husky mix, from temperament to cost and much more, so stay tuned.

Quick Overview Of The Sheltie Husky Mix

Before we jump into the main details, here’s a quick overview of the Sheltie Husky mix:

Other names: Sheltsky
Average Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Average Height: 15 to 22 inches
Average Weight: 25 to 50 lbs
Coat appearance: Medium to long, with lots of color combinations and markings possible
Grooming Frequency: High
Typical Temperament: Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Sensitive
Daily Food Consumption: Low to medium
New Owner Friendly: Quite good for new owners who are active
Suitable to live with children? Usually great with children and babies but requires lots of socialization and supervision
Suitable to live with other dogs? Great with other dogs
Suitable to live with cats? Usually fine but does benefit from socializing from a young age due to potential prey drive

Appearance

Shelties Husky mixes are incredibly rare, which means there can be a lot of variance in how they look.

Most often, they’re quite small dogs with an athletic build. Their coat should be medium to long and can be many different colors, although tones of black and fawn are very common.

A Sheltie Husky mix sat on a carpet — Credit u/The Reichanadter

They can have several Spitz features from the Husky, such as blue eyes, pointed alert ears, and a curly, fluffy tail. Their expression is gentle and kind, with a slightly narrower and longer snout than a Husky.

To get a better idea of the appearance of this mix, let’s take a look at the parent breeds to see which physical characteristics they can inherit.

Siberian Husky Appearance & Background

Siberian Huskies have a classic wolf-like appearance, with several Spitz-type features, including erect ears, a thick double coat, and curled tails.

Their coat comes in a range of colors, and they’re known for their piercing blue eyes (although these can also be brown or shades of brown/blue).

A hand stroking a husky with blue eyes wearing a red collar

Huskies were originally domesticated by the Chukchi people of Siberia and used as sled dogs capable of pulling light sled loads for miles at a time.

They have a very slender and agile build that helps them exercise for very long periods.

Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) Appearance & Background

Shetland Sheepdogs, often known simply as Shelties, are extremely intelligent and come from the Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland.

They were originally bred and used by farmers to herd sheep, horses, and poultry.

They have a classic Collie appearance and are quite sensitive in nature. They’re highly trainable but need a calm owner to get the most out of them.

Shelties are quite short and lightweight, but they have a personality much larger than themselves.

Average Size

Shelties Husky mixes are definitely on the smaller side, although some could be classed as medium-sized dogs.

They reach 15 to 22 inches in height at the shoulder and 25 to 50 lbs in weight, with a very slender and athletic build, although there are variations to these ranges.

Coat Appearance

Sheltie Husky mixes have a thick double coat that is medium to long.

A double coat means that the fur is split into two layers: a short, dense undercoat, which provides insulation both in cold and hot weather, and a long overcoat made of guard layers, which protects the fur and skin below.

Double coats require a lot of grooming (more on this shortly), and they will also blow their coats twice per year. This is a process where they lose much of their undercoat to prepare for the summer (or winter), and it usually happens in the Fall and Spring.

Grooming Guide

Sheltie Husky mixes require frequent grooming thanks to their long, thick double coats.

Ideally, their coat should be groomed a few times per week properly using the process below:

The grooming process starts with a slicker brush, which is designed to target the undercoat and remove loose hairs.
After that, use a dematter comb, which gently removes stubborn tangles with a serrated edge.
A gentle undercoat rake is then used to target the undercoat further and get rid of any remaining loose hairs.
Lastly, a general grooming comb is used to get rid of any loose hairs or matter areas.

When they’re blowing coat, you may need to do this process daily, although this period should only last a week or two. You can find a full rundown of the grooming process here.

Bathing

It might be surprising to know that Sheltie Husky mixes don’t need to be bathed often.

Although their coats require frequent grooming, they are designed to keep themselves clean and don’t contain lots of oil like other breeds.

This means they are more suited to be bathed less often (a few times per year) and only when they really need a deep clean. It’s important to use a soap-free, pH-neutral shampoo and conditioner while bathing as well to keep the coat in good condition.

Temperament

Now, onto one of, if not the most important thing to keep in mind when looking at any new dog, especially a mix like the Sheltie Husky – temperament.

A Sheltie Husky mix up close — Credit – Amber Howard Pinterest

Temperament is a huge deal because it gives you a solid indication of what having a particular dog will be like on a daily basis, so let’s take a look at what you can expect from the Sheltie Husky mix.

Affectionate & Loyal

Both the Sheltie and Husky are very affectionate and loyal.

Shelties tend to be more reserved around strangers, whereas Huskies are friendly with everybody.

They both have very strong loyalty to their owners as well.

Active

Shelties and Huskies both have a very high demand for exercise.

Shelties benefit more from mentally stimulating exercise like running or doing agility, whereas Huskies like to exercise however they can.

Expect a Sheltie Husky mix to require at least 2 hours of exercise per day. They’ll also need extra mental stimulation to stop them from getting bored, which can come in the form of obedience training or playing games.

Vocal

Vocality is another area where the Sheltie Husky mix excels.

Shelties are known for their watchdog capabilities; they’re naturally suspicious of other people and like to bark if anyone comes onto their territory.

Huskies are just vocal in general and make a variety of sounds and noises, from howling to barking and crying, so the Shelties Husky mix is guaranteed to be very loud.

Can Be Stubborn

Sheltie Husky mixes can be stubborn, although the severity of this varies a lot between individuals.

This is because Huskies are notoriously stubborn. As a Spitz-type dog, they’re very picky about who they choose to listen to and when, which can make training difficult.

Shelties are pretty much the opposite; they’re happy to please as long as their owners know how to handle them and be calm rather than over-eager.

Relatively Easy To Train

As long as the stubborn trait of the Husky doesn’t take over the temperament completely, Sheltie Husky mixes are quite easy to train.

This comes from the Sheltie side, as these dogs are world-class in agility, obedience, and herding competitions.

Moderate To Low Prey Drive

The prey drive of the Sheltie Husky mix isn’t as high as you would expect from a purebred Husky, thanks to the addition of the Sheltie.

Shelties have quite a low prey drive compared to many other dogs, so this mix is quite suited to live with cats or small dogs.

Intelligence

Intelligence is a guarantee with any Sheltie Husky mix.

As mentioned before, Shelties excel in obedience tournaments, as well as others like agility. They are quick to learn under the right owner – remember that they prefer calm instruction – and are highly intelligent.

Huskies are also very intelligent but in their own unique Husky way.

They might not pick up new commands or tricks quickly, but they definitely can understand you.

Prone To Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is when a dog may develop stress and exhibit destructive behaviors when left alone for long periods.

Intelligent and affectionate dogs like the Sheltie Husky mix are prone to separation anxiety both because they get bored easily and because they love to be around people.

They’re much more suited for family homes where there will be somebody around most of the time.

Is The Sheltie Husky Mix A Good Family Dog?

On the topic of families, Sheltie Husky mixes are ideal members of the family.

They’re affectionate and love spending time around everybody, including young children and babies, and they’re very good with other dogs, too.

They’re suited for more active families for obvious reasons, and they can become a problem if you aren’t able to meet their needs.

Requires Lots Of Socialization

Building confidence is important for the Sheltie Husky mix, and this should start as young as possible.

Introducing them to new sounds and sights will help to build their confidence and teach them not to be apprehensive or overexcited around strangers.

Socialization also helps if a Sheltie Husky mix is particularly sensitive, which is common from the Sheltie side.

How Much Do They Cost?

Shetland Sheepdogs and Huskies are not the cheapest dog breeds; however, given how rare this mix is, you’re much more likely to find a Sheltie Husky mix in a shelter or dog rescue.

Huskies cost anywhere from $800 to $1,500 on average
Shelties cost between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the breeder

Keep in mind that rescue Sheltie Husky mixes might not have been socialized properly, so you’ll need more patience to restore their confidence.

In Summary

Hopefully you’ve got a better idea of what the Sheltie Husky is all about after reading this article.

They bring a whole lot of personality and love to exercise more than even the most active of people. If you’re up for the challenge, they make incredible companions.

If you’re interested in learning about more Husky mixes, you can check out some of our recent articles below:

Sheltie Husky Mix [Sheltsky] – Full Profile, Pictures, Q&As