Siberian Husky vs Golden Retriever: In-Depth Comparison [Read Before Buying a Pup!]
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One of the qualities that Golden Retriever dog owners extol in this breed is its honesty. The expressions in their brown eyes tend to give away exactly what they are feeling. Siberian Huskies, on the other hand, are the epitome of exoticism with their beautiful blue eyes set against a black/brown and white, fluffy coat.
But which one makes the ideal pet? What temperament can you expect with each breed? How sustainable are they as pets when it comes to their health and trainability?
This post will answer all these questions and more giving you an in-depth look at the two breeds. The information in this detailed guide will be helpful in determining which breed you should take home as your pet and why it fits your household.
Siberian Husky | Golden Retriever | |
Size and weight | Medium size dog weighing 35-60 pounds. The general height is 19 to 24 inches. | Medium size dog weighing 55-75 pounds. Their general height is 21 to 24 inches. |
Appearance | Compact body with a straight neck and a thick, double coat in black or tan and white. The ears are upright and erect and it has a straight muzzle. The white markings are found on the chest and legs. | Muscular and sturdy body with a dense and lustrous golden coat. The breed has a broad head, a straight muzzle and small, short ears. |
Temperament | Intelligent but stubborn and independent. They are also friendly and adventurous. Siberian huskies are even tempered with an outgoing personality and love to work outdoors. | Intelligent, friendly and playful. They make excellent pets and also are amazing guide dogs for the blind. This breed is also often used in hunting and training trials because of its obedience and eagerness to please. |
Health issues | Eye problems like cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, follicular dysplasia, hypothyroidism, hypertension and skin issues due to zinc deficiency. Susceptible to obesity when they do not exercise. Keep the diet light and avoid fatty meats like bacon. | Hip Dysplasia, cancers, heart conditions, Von Willebrand Disease, Cataracts and skin problems. They are excellent scavengers which can lead to picking up parasites and bacteria that cause skin and digestive problems. |
Grooming | Has moderate grooming needs. | Has moderate grooming needs (though a bit more demanding than Husky) |
Trainability | Difficult to train because of their stubborn nature but they can be trained with the right approach. | Exceptionally trainable and love mental stimulation. They are highly intelligent and love plenty of activity. |
History & Fun Facts About the Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever can trace its origins back to Scotland but the story behind this beautiful breed is as inspiring as it is intriguing.
Did you know that the golden color we love so much today was at one point the main reason why gold-coated Golden Retrievers were disposed of? Black sporting dogs were favored because they were more fashionable and “better hunters” during the 19th century.
But an aristocrat by the name of Marjoribanks acquired a gold-coat retriever from a local cobbler and bred him with a Tweed Water Spaniel.
And the resulting litter of puppies was a beautiful spectrum of gold. The pups from this litter were the famous Primrose, Crocus, and Cowslip.
Before this cross-breeding took place, gold-coat retrievers would be killed because they were not the preferred color or were considered weak. The pups created by Marjoribanks cross-breeding were gifted only to close family and friends and with great discretion.
One of the pups was given to the Earl of Ilchester, and the subsequent line of golden retrievers from this pup became quite famous. And Marjoribanks’s youngest son took two golden retrievers to North America with him when he came to Texas and Canada respectively. The Marjoribanks breeding book containing the lineage of the Golden Retriever still exists and is kept securely in Britain’s dog registry also known as the Kennel Club of England.
So the winner of this battle was Goldie! The breed outlasted even the mansion where it was first bred and the naysayers who would have disposed of it.
It now ranks as one of the three most popular dog breeds among 197 breeds, closely following its relatives, the Labrador Retriever and the German Shepherd breed.
So, owning a Golden Retriever is like bringing a little bit of Scotland and the English aristocracy home.
History & Fun Facts About the Siberian Husky – Is It a Wolf Dog?
As the name suggests, this breed originated from Eastern Siberia.
It is a dog with an ancient lineage believed to date back over 4,000 years!.
Although it closely resembles a wolf, it is not one, nor is it a wolf hybrid. This dog breed is associated with the Chukchi people of Northern Siberia. It only came to North America, Alaska to compete in the All-Alaska, long-distance Sweepstakes races. These were sled dog races, and the Siberian Husky being a Northern dog, adapted beautifully to the climate and performed wonderfully to capture the third spot in the race.
Did you know that a team of Siberian Huskies was responsible for saving the entire town of Nome in Alaska? They brought a life-saving serum to tackle a raging diphtheria epidemic in the isolated town.
And so these dogs not only became fixtures in sled-dog races, but they were also nationally honored for the role they played in saving the lives of the residents of Nome.
Because the dogs proved their superiority over native dogs, some sled-dog drivers from New England and other dog breeders acquired some of the dogs to build stock in North America. The Siberian Husky is a pack dog that works well with others. Having one in your home brings the seemingly aloof mystery of Siberia peppered with a mischievous twinkle and boundless adventure. There is NEVER a dull moment with a Siberian Husky.
What to Expect with Each Breed
They may all look alike, but not all Golden Retrievers are the same. The breed, however, is pretty homogeneous with is the same with just a few variations that categorize the dog in these three groups:
Types of Golden Retrievers
- English Golden Retriever
- American Golden Retriever
- Canadian Golden Retriever
The English Golden Retriever is the original Golden Retriever, and it was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1925. It was the cross between Marjoribanks’s yellow retriever (Nous) and the Tweed Water Cocker Spaniel (Bell).
As mentioned, the offspring of this union was brought to America and Canada. Here they were crossbred with other breeds resulting in the American and Canadian Golden Retrievers.
The Canadian Golden Retriever has shorter hair, which is not as feathery or fuzzy as that of other golden retrievers. This breed is also much taller, reaching over two inches in height compared to its cousins.
English Golden Retrievers are the smallest of the bunch. They have broader heads and a more powerful front leg musculature.
Their American cousin is considered the fragile relative. The features that set them apart are their slant-shaped eyes and darker coat which contrast with the round eyes and lighter coat of the other golden retrievers.
Types of Siberian Huskies
There is only one breed recognized by the American Kennel Club as a Husky and that is the purebred Siberian Husky.
But we just have to make room for an honorary mention – a very rare type of husky, the White Siberian. Most Siberians have black or brown markings with white on the chest and legs. But the white Siberian Husky breed is completely white with no markings.
They are NOT albinos despite their white color, and they possess the same characteristics as the typical Siberian Husky.
However, many other Northern breeds of dogs are referred to colloquially as Huskies even though they are not. These include:
- Alaskan Malamute (A close cousin of the Siberian Husky)
- American Eskimo dog
- Chinook
- Samoyed
- Alaskan husky (A mix of the Siberian husky, greyhound and Alaskan Malamute)
- Labrador husky
- Sakhalin husky (An almost extinct Japanese husky breed)
- American Akita
- Akita Inu
The Siberian Husky remains the one true Husky.
Now let’s discuss the differences in each breed below, in detail.
1. The Physical Appearance
Both dogs are of medium build. Here is a breakdown of the gender specifics for each breeds:
This comparison shows that the Golden Retriever breed is bigger even though both breeds are considered medium breeds. That makes the Golden Retriever a medium to large dog breed.
The Siberian Husky is nimble and light-footed because it doesn’t tip the scale over 60 pounds. As a result, they have a powerful gait that appears quite effortless.
Eyes
When it comes to more specific features, the Siberian Husky has distinct piercing and penetrating blue eyes. However, it is not uncommon to find some dogs with one blue eye and the other is brown.
The different colored eyes (a.k.a. heterochromia) are a result of the uneven distribution and concentration of melanin in the eyes. It is absolutely normal for this to occur and it can happen in cows, cats, horses and even people.
Golden Retrievers have brown eyes as a rule. Their pups may start out with blue eyes but as they grow older the eye color turns to brown.
Some mixed breeds of Golden Retrievers may have blue eyes, though. They are probably mixed with Siberian huskies, border collies, Australian cattle dogs, Great Danes, Boxers, Cocker spaniels or Old English Sheepdogs.
If you do happen to see a Goldie with cloudy or blue eyes, it means the poor thing suffers from eye issues like cataracts. Glaucoma and nuclear sclerosis also cause the dog’s eye to get a blue hue.
Some unscrupulous breeders try to sell unsuspecting customers blue-eyed Golden Retrievers claiming they are specialty versions of the breed. Steer clear of such breeders because they are not telling you that the pup’s eyes will become brown as they grow older. Or that the Golden Retriever is a mixed breed.
And if they cannot give you such basic information about your potential pet, you can easily imagine them hiding other, more vital info too!
Coat
The outer coat of a Golden Retriever is water repellent and dense. But it has a thicker undercoat that is fuzzy and soft to keep it warm.
You will notice the outer coat can be wavy or straight. That depends on the ancestry of the dog. A reputable breeder can give you the history of the parents offering you insight into why your dog has a straight or wavy outer coat.
However, sometimes a curly coat could be an indicator of a poor diet. If your Golden Retriever doesn’t get enough nutrients in its food, eats too little or even too much, the hairs on the coat may curl.
Golden Retrievers go through several coat changes before they settle into their mature coat. When they are puppies their hair is straight. The changes begin to show up at five months old. Your dog may have wavy hair at this age but as they grow older, you notice the hair beginning to settle into curls.
The coat of Golden Retrievers is oily and so it requires frequent cleaning and brushing. (More on that below!)
A Siberian husky also has a double coat but it is thicker than the Golden Retriever’s. The undercoat has soft, fine and wavy dense hair which is covered by the topcoat made up of straight but thick guard hairs.
The double thick layers help the dog to stay warm in the cold weather to which they are native. These are harsh conditions and the Siberian Husky is a working dog in this environment. In such cases, the coat is essential for the survival of the breed.
Some Siberian huskies have a wooly coat which features longer hairs on the outer coat. That is not ideal for a working dog in cold conditions because the hairs take longer to dry. Also, such long hairs do not provide enough protection from ice, snow and cold. Siberians do not have an oily coat.
Ears
The anatomy of the ear canal is the same for both breeds. That means that both the Siberian Husky and the Golden Retriever have the typical narrow and long ear canal with an L-shape. But the Golden Retriever has drop ears while the Siberian Husky has pert, erect, small ears.
Golden Retrievers have floppy ears because of breeding with hounds that have drop ears in their ancestry.
But these cute plushies also have a very important role. This breed is a prolific swimmer and the drop ears help keep water out of their ear canal. However, the flop of their ears can cause moisture to be trapped in the ears resulting in smelly ears and ear infections.
A Siberian Husky will have floppy ears as a pup. But that is because the bones and cartilage in their ears have not grown and matured. But once these develop and grow, the dog will have the typical erect ears of its breed. The ears stand up and become erect around the time the dog finishes teething.
As the Siberian grows, you will notice that the ears outgrow the body around three to five months of age. But don’t worry, the rest of the body will soon catch up and the ears will become the right size for its head.
A word of caution: do NOT ruffle the dog’s ears too much when the ear bones and cartilage are still growing. The cartilage and bone are still very fragile and you could hurt the dog.
Musculature
The Siberian Husky is lean and compact with a lighter gait compared to the heavy footfall of the Golden Retriever. A retriever tends to have thick muscles which makes it look sturdy and thickset. The lean body of the Siberian Husky allows it to move easier through the snow and clear the ice. Golden Retrievers are cuddlier because of their chunky bodies.
Both breeds have well developed chest, thighs, forearms, upper arms and shoulders.
2. How to Groom a Husky vs Golden Retriever?
You know the old adage: Dogs need grooming like a sword needs a whetstone!
(Okay, that’s not how it goes. Nor is it old, or an adage. Still, it’s true!)
Grooming a Siberian Husky is far less involving compared to grooming a Golden Retriever.
The latter needs more frequent brushing because its long curly and straight hairs tend to get tangled and can mat very easily. Also, considering that this is a very active breed, their antics can lead to playing in muddy puddles or a bush with dead leaves and flowers that get caught up in their hairs. Brushing the coat frequently becomes necessary to remove entanglements, dirt, and debris caught in the coat.
A bath and blowout are critical to ensuring the coat of a Golden Retriever don’t become too oily. Also, the brushing helps get excessive shedding under control because this breed sheds A LOT.
Unfortunately, there is a misconception that severely trimming or shaving a Golden Retriever’s outer coat will keep the dog comfortable and cool. But that only exposes the dog’s skin to the elements because these are outdoor dogs.
Nature bestowed the double coat for a reason: it serves to protect the dog’s skin from moisture, cold, heat, and sun. In some cases, exposing their skin by shaving off too much of the topcoat allows the sun to wreak havoc on the dog’s sensitive epidermis resulting in cancers. Plus, dogs don’t sweat through their skin but the pads on their paws.
The good news is that a Retriever’s topcoat is easy to brush, and brushing once or twice a week will suffice.
How to Groom a Golden Retriever
Brushing
Regular brushing using a bristle brush will untangle hairs and remove the dirt and debris from the coat.
You can also use an undercoat rake to give the dog’s soft, fuzzy undercoat a thorough brushing.
Brushing reduces shedding significantly, so your carpets and upholstery will appreciate it too!
Ears
As we said above, Golden Retrievers have droopy ears which flop over the ear canal.
As a result, moisture and dirt easily and quickly get trapped in there, causing ear infections. This breed is prone to ear infections because of these drop ears. You may also notice that their ears can get smelly because of the dirt trapped in there.
Begin by using round nose-thinning shears to cut the hairs inside the ears to a manageable length. That allows you access to the vertical ear canal of the dog. Gently wipe the ear with a gauze dipped in a solution that is 50% distilled water and 50% white vinegar.
Avoid using cotton swabs in your golden retriever’s ears because they push the dirt and debris further into the canal. Also, remember to clean the dog’s outer ears.
It is also advisable to take your dog to the groomer or vet for a more thorough ear cleaning session. Here they will use commercial ear cleaning solutions like VIRBAC Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser, which do a far better job than water and vinegar. Cleaning the ears weekly will prevent any infections.
Nails
There are reasons why nails maintenance is a nightmare for every dog, and consequently every dog owner!
Golden Retrievers have fast-growing nails, so you have your work cut out (pun intended!) in keeping them short and manageable. Regular trimming of nails will keep your dog comfortable during various activities.
Did you know that very long nails can even affect your retriever’s ability to walk? To cut the nails, you need to take a bit off the top of the nail.
If you are not sure about using a nail clipper, consider a nail grinder like the ones in our best dog nail grinders guide. This may work best because of the frequent nail trims this breed requires.
Tail
A Goldie needs to have its tail combed so that it looks like a fan. Trim the hair just from the tail bone towards the tip allowing the fan effect to increase as you move along.
Feet
You need to trim the hairs around the paw pads so that the dog has an adequate grip when it walks.
Golden Retrievers tend to grow fuzzy hair that can cover their pads. That hair reduces their traction when they walk or run. Round nose grooming shears come in handy in this task as well.
How to Groom a Siberian Husky
Brushing
You need an excellent undercoat rake because their undercoat can be very thick.
This type of rake has long teeth that get past the shorter hairs of the Siberian’s topcoat to reach the undercoat and remove dirt, debris, and any tangles and mats.
After using the undercoat rake, make sure that you run a slicker brush throughout the dog’s coat to remove any dead skin, loose hair, and any further tangles.
Shampoo and conditioner
The good news is that the Siberian Husky is not a high maintenance breed and bathing less frequently is good for them. Some people bathe their Siberians as rarely as twice a year!
Before you cringe, hear this.
You see, this breed doesn’t have an oily coat, so they do not stink. When you bathe them, they need to have their coat shampooed and conditioned to keep it easy to maintain and healthy.
The conditioner will also help keep the skin underneath the coats healthy. Ensure that it is hypoallergenic. It is critical to dry the hair of a Siberian Husky properly so that they do not remain too wet.
But do not bathe your Siberian too often because that will dry out their hair, which can cause their skin to dry.
Nails
Whereas Golden Retrievers need their nails cut every six weeks, Siberian huskies can go for three to four months. That is because of the frequency of their exercise and movements. Running, scratching and hunting will naturally wear down a Siberian Husky’s nails.
However, home-bound dogs like Golden Retrievers will get their nails growing long because of limited levels of activity. A nail grinder will do an adequate job of grinding down a Siberian’s nails to an acceptable size. But don’t go too short as they need their nails to scratch, hunt, and capture prey.
Ears
The small, erect ears of the Siberian Husky are easier to clean, and they do not trap moisture and grow yeast and bacteria. This breed is less likely to suffer ear infections.
A cleaning solution like the ones mentioned above (scroll up to the ‘Ears’ section under ‘How to Groom a Golden Retriever’) will do an effective job. But you should also use gauze on Siberian huskies and avoid earbuds. Clean the inside and around the outside to maintain hygiene.
Teeth
Brushing teeth is the same for both the Siberian Husky and Golden Retriever because their muzzles are straight, giving you excellent access to their teeth. That is unlike brachycephalic or short-headed breeds like pugs and bulldogs, which have smaller jaws and overcrowded teeth.
Offer your dog a taste of the dog toothpaste and let them become accustomed to it. Run your finger along with the gum of the dog’s teeth, and then repeat the process with a soft-bristled brush.
Once your dog is comfortable, brush its teeth with a gentle circular motion from the back to the front. Angle the brush upwards and downwards every so often so that the bristles can reach under the gum line. Brushing should not lastbe more than 30 seconds.
The trick is not to try and brush the entire mouth all at once. Start with the most accessible part first, which is the outside of the teeth. As your dog learns to trust the process, it will give you more access to the inside of the mouth.
3. How to Train Siberian Husky vs Golden Retriever?
Between the two breeds, you will find the Golden Retriever more receptive to training and obeying commands.
But that does NOT that the Siberian Husky is not trainable. Most people mistake the Siberian’s independent nature for stubbornness. You need to adjust your expectations and approach to accommodate the independence of this breed.
Huskies are intelligent dogs meaning that they understand what you are trying to teach them. But they can choose to ignore you if you do not overcome the independence barrier.
The secret lies in perseverance and spending extra time repeating the same training and lesson with your husky. Once the dog understands that you will not give up on teaching them the command, they will learn to obey. Stopping your training too soon will have a devastating effect on the obedience of your Siberian.
Here is a basic plan that can help with training these two breeds.
Training a Siberian Husky
- Create a relaxing ambiance for you and your husky before you begin the training. For example, do not take the dog to the park or hunting. The home environment is better.
- Introduce a new command to your husky. Repeat the command several times to see the response. Make sure you are alone with your dog to avoid distractions.
- If the dog obeys or performs the command, reinforce them with praise and reward with a treat.
- Do this for at least FOUR WEEKS on a very regular basis.
- As a test to see if the dog has learned the command, introduce a distraction and give the command. If the dog focuses on the distraction and ignores the command, then you need to continue with the training.
- Also, take the dog to different environments and give the command. If the dog ignores you, then resume training until they learn to obey.
The idea is to get the dog comfortable with the command and gradually challenge it to obey in more complex environments and situations. Also, reward even the smallest gains because that communicates your pleasure to the dog and makes them want to do even better.
For example, if they sit for even two-second, praising them and giving a treat will encourage them to sit for four seconds next time.
Get a Siberian Husky puppy if you intend to train the dog yourself. But remember that puppies have a short attention span, so keep the lessons short and up to the point.
Also, give an allowance for the teenage rebellion fueled by hormones. During this time, do not lose patience but be firm.
Training a Golden Retriever
You will have an easier time training a golden retriever puppy because they have a more eager-to-please personality. It is crucial to remember that even the most loving golden retriever was not born that way. It is the result of training and patience.
The hardest training period for golden retrievers is their teenage years. Like Siberian Huskies, the retrievers also have hormonal changes in their teens that can affect the dog’s temperament. Focus on training that the dog will take into their adult years.
- Introduce the command in a comfortable, familiar environment.
- Repeat it until the dog obeys and don’t forget to reward obedience.
- Introduce toys into the training program while giving the same command. See if your golden retriever prefers to play or obey.
- Take the dog to the park and call out the command.
Some people prefer to use muzzles, training collars, and other training tools to keep their dogs in check, especially when it comes to Siberian Huskies. But these can be inhumane. Dogs are trainable creatures, but you need time and patience.
4. Exercise and Health
Exercise is not only good for health, but it can also be instrumental in limiting behavioral problems. The more tired a dog is, the less likely they are to get into mischief.
Siberian Huskies are naturally more active, but Golden Retrievers can settle into a sedentary lifestyle, especially if they live in the city. Take them to the park and give them 30 – 45 minutes of exercise. That is sufficient for their exercise needs.
Huskies are super active and require a lot of exercises. Outdoor activity and life is their best option to remain healthy. A husky needs plenty of space to run and be free. This breed requires a minimum of two hours of exercise daily.
Health Conditions Affecting Golden Retrievers
Cancer
According to expert estimations, around 60% percent of Golden Retriever deaths are a result of cancer. Hemangiosarcoma is one of the leading forms of malignancy seen in Golden Retrievers. They also suffer from mastocytoma, lymphosarcoma, and osteosarcoma.
Skin diseases
Their heavy coat can harbor harmful bacteria that impact the skins’ health. Also, it can hide mites and ticks that make skin conditions even worse.
Besides, Golden Retrievers are prone to inflamed oil glands and the growth of benign fatty tumors.
Respiratory conditions
This breed is prone to SAS (Subvalvular aortic stenosis), which is a narrowing of the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the body. SAS can lead to death as the dog’s heart works too hard.
Cataracts
The eyes of Golden Retrievers can develop cataracts which form a yellow or white cloudy film over the eye. The film impairs the ability of the dog to see properly.
Hip Dysplasia
That is the incorrect fit of the hip joint, which can be extremely painful for the dog. It can lead to the development of arthritis in the dog later in life.
That’s why you should choose their doggie bed very carefully.
Ear infections
The droop of their ears prevents adequate circulation of air into the canal which will result in the growth of bacteria, ear mites and yeast. As a result the dog gets an ear infection.
Von Willebrand Disease
It is an inherited bleeding disorder caused by the dog’s inability to clot blood that seals broken blood vessels. Golden Retrievers suffer from the Von Willebrand disease from time to time although not as commonly as Doberman Pinschers.
Health Conditions Affecting Siberian Huskies
Hip Dysplasia
This is where the hip joint of the dog doesn’t fit properly. It is just like the hip dysplasia affecting Golden Retrievers. It will eventually lead to arthritis.
Again, choosing an orthopedic dog bed can make their life easier!
Cataracts
Siberian Huskies also suffer from cataracts and glaucoma. Cataracts are the clouding of the eye which impairs vision while glaucoma is an increased pressure in the eyes that results in shooting pain and even eye loss.
Hypertension
This breed is prone to high blood pressure especially when you do not watch its diet. So it is crucial to ensure that you do not overfeed a Siberian Husky dog on fatty meats and watch its weight. An obese or overweight husky is more likely to develop hypertension.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Huskies are also prone to progressive retinal atrophy that causes the photoreceptor cells in their eyes to deteriorate over time. Eventually, it leads to blindness in the dog.
Cancer
Because Siberians have a long life expectancy, they are likely to develop cancers in old age ranging from liver cancer to bone cancer. But with early detection, they can continue to live a long life.
Zinc deficiency
Zinc deficiency is prevalent in Huskies and their cousins malamutes, causing them to experience diarrhea and other skin problems. Also, it affects their ability to absorb nutrients from their diet.
That’s why Siberian Huskies and their close cousins, the Alaskan Malamutes, require more zinc compared to other breeds. Without it, they develop crusty patches of raised dermatitis and even seizures.
Epilepsy
Siberian huskies commonly inherit primary epilepsy, also known as idiopathic epilepsy. It can be caused by trauma, toxins, kidney or liver disease, or even an unknown factor.
The Price Comparison
What is the Price of a Siberian Husky Versus a Golden Retriever?
You can get a Siberian Husky pup from a pet store for $400 to $800. These dogs usually come with papers to ascertain that they are huskies and not Malamutes.
From an animal rescue, a pup of this breed may cost you $50 to $150, and from a backyard breeder, you may part with $150 to $450.
Golden Retrievers on average can cost from $500 to $3000 from reputable breeders. But in shelters and rescues, you may find a pup for $50 to $300. It’s both a money saver and a good deed!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do huskies like to cuddle?
Yes, they do. They have a sociable temperament which means that they like to nuzzle, kiss, snuggle and cuddle up to fellow pack members and their owners. They are friendly and trusting dogs that can accept petting from even a stranger.
Can Siberian Huskies and Golden Retrievers get along?
Yes, they are both loving and well-adjusted dogs that love people and exist peacefully in a multiple pet household. And since they both love activity and playing, they can make perfect companions to each other.
Is husky a good first dog?
As a rule of thumb, no.
Not that there’s anything wrong with choosing a husky as ANY dog, mind you. But the problem is, as we said above, that huskies are not the easiest breed to train. You need lots of patience and experience to exert just the right amount of authority with this proud pooch.
So, if you’re looking to get your first dog, a Goldie would be a much better option.
Final Thoughts
So which one is for you: A Siberian husky or a Golden Retriever?
If you love the great outdoors and adventure to be shared with an athletic companion that can keep up, a Siberian Husky is a great match for you.
A Golden Retriever, on the other hand, is perfect for a household with children and other pets. They will welcome you at the door and lay at your feet not to mention play with you and take part in every aspect of your daily life.