Huskies have built a reputation for being excellent escape artists, partly thanks to their ability to jump over 6ft fences. But just how high can huskies jump?
Most huskies can jump around 4 feet high (1.2m) on average and can climb taller fences, with more athletic huskies capable of jumping even higher.
In this guide, we’ll dive into how huskies manage to jump so high, how to make them less likely to jump and what kind of fence you need to keep them secure.
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Can All Huskies Jump High?
So, an average healthy husky can jump around 4 feet high (1.2 metres) without assistance, but what about bigger or more athletic huskies?
Bigger huskies may be able to jump higher thanks to a natural advantage, and huskies can also be trained to jump to more impressive heights.
Some owners have recorded their huskies jumping as high as 8 feet (2.4 metres) with a running start! Although there is no way to validate this, we believe it is possible with an athletic husky who has been specifically trained to jump.
The average husky may only be able to jump around 4 feet into the air, but be warned – combining their jumping with climbing can allow them to very easily get over a 6ft fence.
We’ll talk more about husky fencing requirements later in this article.
Take a look at the video below which shows a husky very easily jumping over a 6ft fence!
The reason that huskies are such talented jumpers is that they are a naturally athletic breed. They were originally bred to pull sleds in the arctic by the Chukchi people.
Selective breeding produced dogs with powerful legs that could easily propel them over difficult terrain.
Even though most domestic Huskies nowadays are not working dogs, they have retained the athletic genes that help them to grow into strong dogs.
Why Do Huskies Jump So Much?
There are plenty of other athletic breeds out there such as Staffordshire Terriers and Belgian Malinois, but none seem to love jumping (or escaping) as much as the husky does.
So, now we know how high a Husky can jump, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why the breed seems to love jumping so much.
Prey Drive
Huskies have a high prey drive which can lead to them wanting to chase small animals. If you live in an area that has natural wildlife (such as squirrels, rabbits, mice, etc.) be wary that your husky may try to hunt them due to their instincts.
This is also why huskies are not suitable to live with small dogs or cats in a lot of cases (there are obviously exceptions here).
If an animal catches a husky’s eye, or if it can be smelled through the fence, most huskies will not think twice to chase after it – even if it means jumping over a fence.
In fact, this is one of the most common reasons we hear from owners who have dealt with a husky escaping.
How To Prevent This
A huskies prey drive is instinctual meaning it is very difficult to try and ‘train away’. A better solution is to make it impossible for your husky to escape from your yard with an appropriate fence.
It won’t prevent your husky from jumping to try and get out, but it will hopefully stop them from succeeding!
Your Husky Is Bored Or Restless
You should know by now that huskies are a very high-energy breed and they need a lot of exercise to keep both their bodies and brains active.
If their needs are not fulfilled, they can quickly become bored and restless, which will lead to them finding entertainment for themselves.
One way they might entertain themselves is by trying to jump over your fence. Unfortunately for us owners, huskies can see our attempts at preventing their escape as a challenge.
We can’t count the number of times we had to make adjustments to our fence and yard before we found a solution that kept them securely in!
How To Prevent This
A clear way to reduce jumping caused by boredom or restlessness is to make sure your husky is given enough exercise and enrichment throughout the day.
Huskies need around 2 hours of physical exercise per day and they will need regular mental stimulation too.
Try increasing the length of your walks if possible, and invest in new toys that can keep them occupied.
If your husky likes the challenge of trying to escape, keep their outdoor time supervised.
Your Husky Is Adventurous
Huskies are an intelligent breed and they are often inquisitive of their surroundings.
Owners of huskies will know that they can be very nosy, and will often stand at the fence trying to see what the neighbours are up to.
This natural curiosity can sometimes make them want to jump over the fence to explore a new area. It can also be triggered by simply smelling a new scent or hearing a sound nearby.
If your husky appears to be jumping for no reason, try and see if something unfamiliar is happening in your neighbouring gardens that could be the cause.
How To Prevent This
Once again, this natural curiosity is instinctual. It’s also not really a bad trait and shouldn’t be punished for – we love that our huskies are so intelligent!
We recommend ensuring that your yard is as husky-proof as possible to prevent them from escaping when they jump up.
Husky Fence Requirements
If you own a husky, you will need to make sure that your yard is completely husky-proof meaning they can’t escape from anywhere. For most people, this involves making sure your fence is suitable.
A suitable height for a fence is 6ft, but we strongly advise that you try to go higher if possible. You will need to make sure that it is suitably dug into the ground as huskies often like to stand up against a fence to try and see over it. Remember to make sure your gate is 6ft tall too!
Best Type Of Fence For Huskies
Some fences are much harder to jump over than others. Fences that have pointed fence posts, like a picket fence, are more likely to deter a husky from trying to jump than a completely flat fence or a chain-link fence.
If your fence is not tall enough, don’t panic!
Some fences, particularly wooden ones, can be made taller with a bit of woodwork. Discuss your options with a tradesman to try and save yourself some money (and a lot of work!).
To completely husky-proof your garden and reduce all possibility of escape, it is advised that you put chicken wire under your fence. Once a husky realises that jumping over a fence is no longer possible, they may try to dig under it.
Adding chicken wire will mean that they run into another obstacle that they will not be able to overcome.
Finally, make sure you do not put garden furniture near your fence. Adding furniture along the perimeter of your garden (such as a table and chairs or a planter) will make it much easier for your husky to climb over the fence.
Keep all furniture towards the middle of your yard or watch your husky use it as a step-ladder!
FAQs
We’ve answered some of the internet’s most asked questions regarding huskies and jumping – take a look below!
Can Huskies Jump A 6ft Fence?
Although the average husky can only jump 4ft in the air, many will be able to get over a 6ft fence by using a combination of jumping and climbing.
You can reduce the likelihood of them getting over a 6ft fence by making sure no garden furniture is near the fence, and by building your fence to be higher than 6ft if possible.
Why Do Huskies Jump?
Huskies can jump so high thanks to their athletic build. They have powerful legs that were made for pulling sleds over difficult terrain.
They might try to jump over a fence due to boredom, curiosity, or because they have seen a small animal that they want to chase.
Do Huskies Jump To Escape?
Yes! huskies are known for being escape artists.
Unless your yard is completely husky-proof (over 6ft fences, no holes, no easy ways to climb) you should keep your husky supervised whilst they are out in the yard.
In Summary
So, huskies are able to jump around 4ft into the air unassisted but they can jump over fences as tall as 8ft by using climbing techniques.
We want to see your huskies! Send in your photos to themalamutemom@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in our gallery.
