With their bright blue eyes, thick fur, speed, and size, Huskies can be seen as very intimidating dogs. In fact, some people buy this breed for that reason specifically.
It’s no surprise then that behind those fierce eyes, Huskies are both powerful and incredibly endurable.
Both their bite and pull can pack a punch. However, even though they’re among the strongest breeds, Huskies aren’t great dogs for protection or guarding. They are fiercely independent and friendly, making them suitable for companion or family dogs instead.
Read on to discover how fierce the Husky bite force is, how strong they are, and how they are one of the friendliest breeds out there despite both of these things.
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How Powerful is the Husky Bite Force?
With their size alone, Huskies can look quite intimidating. However, does their bite actually pack a punch? It turns out it does. A Husky’s bite is one of the strongest out there, coming in at 13th out of all breeds.
Although hard to measure, professionals measure bite force through PSI, or pound-force per square inch. Basically, PSI is the amount of pressure a dog’s bite applies to an object. A husky’s PSI measures in at 320 PSI. For comparison, a Pitbull’s bit force comes in at 235 PSI, and it only takes 130 PSI to break a person’s arm bone.
Although huskies aren’t inherently aggressive, they can cause severe damage to something if they want.
How Strong is a Husky?
Not only do Huskies have a strong bite force, but scientists constantly rank them as one of the strongest dog breeds. Originally bred for pulling heaving hunting sleds across the arctic, Huskies are both strong and endurable.
In fact, one Husky can pull 85 lbs or the weight of half an average-sized human. That’s commonly over 2x their weight! In addition, they can run at a pace of 10-14 mph over long distances and 20 mph over short distances. It’s even been said that sled dogs can travel over 90 miles in 24 hours while pulling 85 lb each.
Between their brute strength and bite force, it’s easy to see why some people get huskies to be their companions on long, exerting journeys.
Can Huskies be Aggressive?
Since they are such a strong breed, one might be worried about a Husky’s aggression. However, Huskies are one of the least aggressive breeds out there! Even though they are strong, they rarely feel the need to show it.
Breed aggression primarily comes from what original breeders bred the dog to do. For example, dogs bred to guard properties or animals are more likely to become protective of their toys, family, and home. Since Huskies were bred to pull sleighs in the arctic, they aren’t naturally prone to aggression or guarding.
That being said, any dog can become aggressive and should be adequately trained. Although Huskies are unlikely to attack anyone, any dog can be triggered by past cruel behavior or potential dominance. Especially given their size, strength, and bite force, an aggressive Husky can be dangerous for kids, strangers, or others.
If your Husky starts to become aggressive, it’s crucial to determine the root cause of the aggression and get training as soon as possible.
Are Huskies Kid-Friendly?
Not only are huskies not prone to aggression, but they are also incredibly kid-friendly. Huskies are known for their love of snuggling, hugging, kissing, and cuddling. Therefore, they don’t usually mind being caressed and cuddled by children.
In addition, since they aren’t a herding breed, they are usually very relaxed around running and screaming children. They are also one of the most outgoing breeds and aren’t likely to be scared or startled by new children.
However, as previously stated, any dog can develop aggression or fear. Like all other breeds, Huskies need to be appropriately trained to avoid accidentally hurting kids. As they are an energetic breed, they like to jump, pounce, run, and play. Thus, training your Husky to not jump or pounce on kids will be necessary.
In addition, children need to be trained how to interact with dogs appropriately. Huskies and other dogs usually give signs when they are done playing or aren’t enjoying a particular interaction. Therefore, kids should be taught:
- how to properly interact with dogs
- How dogs communicate
- Dog’s early signs of annoyance, irritation, and anger
Will a Husky Protect You?
Although Huskies are quite strong and intimidating, they are one of the friendliest breeds out there – and unlikely to protect you from others. However, with the proper training, any dog can become protective.
Huskies’ ancestors, the Chukchi, were treated well by their native owners. They were trained so well that the breed became loving, affectionate, and abundantly friendly over time. In addition, since Huskies were never bred to guard anything, it isn’t their instinct to be suspicious of dogs or strangers.
Lastly, Huskies are pretty independent. Because of this, they are more likely to run in the face of danger than to protect you.
As previously stated, owners can train almost any dog to be protective. While not inherently protective, Huskies have a strong prey drive and are very intelligent. Training them can be fun and easy, as they have very sharp comprehension skills.
Although they may not be directly protective, Huskies’ strong, sharp look intimidates strangers. So, walking next to a Husky may act as a hindrance alone to a malicious stranger.
Conclusion
A Husky is one of the strongest breeds with one of the fiercest bites. However, Huskies aren’t commonly known for their aggression. While this seems contradictory, huskies were made for pulling heavy sleds – not guarding their homes or protecting their owners.
Therefore, Huskies are excellent for family settings and extensive excursions. While these dogs may accidentally hurt a child from their energetic personality, they aren’t likely to attack anyone.
However, even though they aren’t inherently aggressive, Huskies must be properly trained to avoid any bad behavior or accidents.
