“Dusky” refers to the unusual (and rare) crossbreed between Dachshund and Husky. This match aims to combine the best qualities of the individuals into one dog for fans of the two beloved breeds.
This cross is one of many that belong to the age of the designer dogs, meaning the origin of the first cross isn’t making the rounds on the circuit except to say that it emerged within the last 20 years. In looking at the parent breeds, a lot of information can be determined regarding the background of this new breed.
The dogs as individuals rank as among the best to adopt for ideal companion pets. A primary concern among breeders relating to Duskies is the size difference in the dogs developing into a problematic structure. Thus, the dogs have developed a reputation for potential health issues and possible personality traits that border on needing some work.
Quick Comparison: Dachshund vs Husky vs Dusky
| Items | Dachshund | Husky | Dusky |
| Type | Originally Badger Hunter | Originally Sled Dog | Designer Dog |
| Country Of Origin | Germany | Northeastern Siberia | United States |
| Size | Mini, Toy, Small | Medium | Small to Medium |
| Height | Up To 8” | Up to 16” | Between 8” to 16” |
| Weight | Up To Approx 20 lbs | Up To Approx 60 lbs | Between 20 To 60 lbs |
| Coat | Long, Short, or Wire Coat | Thick Fur, Double Coat | Will Likely Have A Husky’s Heavy Coat |
| Shedding | Long-hairs And Curly – Fine Hairs Not As Much | Yes And Molt Early Summer And Winter | Yes And Will Likely Molt As Well |
| Brush | Fine | Yes – Regularly | Yes – Regularly |
| Grooming | Aside from brushing, trims for longer hairs and curly, nail clipping, teeth brushing, bathing regularly | Aside from brushing, nail clipping, teeth brushing, bathing regularly | Aside from brushing, nail clipping, teeth brushing, bathing regularly |
| Temperament | Friendly, Loving, Feisty, Mischievous, Needs To Be Kept Busy | Strong-willed, Stubborn, Chooses Moods – If Wants To Be Loving Can Be, Needs Constant Activity | Can Be Aggressive Towards Smaller Pets Or Other Dogs But Loving, Active, Needs Constant Stimulation |
| Family Friendly | Constantly Follows Pet Parents, Loves Attention And Being With Family | Has A Tendency To Run Off When Not Watched Closely Due To Sled Dog History, Is Fine Playing Alone But Loves Family On His Terms | Loves All Family Members. Most Dogs tend To Pick A Particular Family Member But The Dusky Loves Each Individually And As A Group |
| Training | Needs Training From A Young Age | Challenging To Train Because Of His Strong Will And Stubborn Streak But Will Need Obedience Training | Need To Begin Training At An Early Age And Continue Constantly |
| Lifespan | Up To Approximately 10-12 Years | Up To 16 Years | Up To 12 to 16 Years |
The Dachshund Parent
The short-legged Dachshund breed with its long back might not be the first in the species that would come to mind as a hunter’s companion. Still, the animal’s German ancestors were praised primarily for their badger hunting skills, for which the dogs were ideal at rooting under the badger dens to force the residents from their homes. The term “Dachshund” actually means “badger dog” – “Dachs” refers to badger, and “hund” refers to a hound dog.
Germany, to this day, calls the pup their national dog. Still, the Dachshund now boasts the perfect companion dog with vast popularity worldwide due to its friendly personality and appealing look. These found recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1885.
The Husky Parent
An athletic yet beautiful Husky has infinite power, with their initial use being for sled pulling. Some of the pups are still pulling today. The medium-sized dog is a remarkable breed and offers incredible intelligence to which many who wish to adopt are drawn.
For the Siberian Husky, in particular, the origination was in the northeastern part of Siberia. The animal was bred by a tribe of nomads referred to as the “Chukchi,” who used them in the sledding capacity and as the family pets.
Genetically, the dog belongs to the Spitz family, easily identified by a double coat with thick fur and ears of a triangular and erect nature. These found recognition from both the American Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club in the 1930s.
The History And Original Purpose Of The Dusky
The dachshund husky mix has only been in existence for approximately 20 years. Breeders are still attempting to reach a definitive answer to the questions regarding the specific origins of the first Dusky. The suggestion from experts on the crossbreed for a realistic expectation of lifespan ranges from 12 years up to 16 years based on general care and health and wellness.
With the distinct difference in sizes between the parent breed, the dog has an unusual structure that can contribute to unique health challenges. That requires regular monitoring for the animal to enjoy a sound and extended quality of life.
Pros And Cons Of Getting A Dusky
Pros:
- Strangers: The animal is not fond of people with whom he’s not familiar. There is little chance the dog will attack a stranger, but there will be barking to warn the family there is a potential danger, making the puppy an incredible watchdog.
- Family Dog: Some dogs tend to lean towards a specific family member more so than engage with the entire group. That’s not true with Duskies. These animals enjoy the whole family and will interact with everyone equally, both as a group and individually.
- Intelligent: The Dusky is a knowledgeable dog with relatively easy trainability. Suppose the dog has permission to do something like sleep on the couch with one family member but is not permitted to do so with another. In that case, he quickly adapts to suit these different personalities, understanding when he can get away with the behavior and when he can’t.
Cons:
- Aggression: The Husky parent contributes a high prey drive to the Dusky while the Dachshund tends to be exceptionally feisty. Depending on the cross’s inherited demeanor, he can be an aggressor when it comes to other dogs or smaller animals.
- Mischievous: If the pup is not mentally and physically stimulated, he will find things to keep himself busy and that will generally involve getting into trouble or destroying something in the house.
Dusky Personality and Temperament
The overall consensus is that the Dusky is a loyal and faithful companion animal and one that pet parents will enjoy having in the home. The thing to be mindful of is that the individual dogs are each intricate in their own personalities. That means when you adopt a crossbreed, it’s wise to research the parents individually.
On the Dachshund side, you will see a dog that loves companionship, adores its owner, and has a strong desire to please them. They enjoy being silly, but they can also get into mischief stemming from the genetic hunter in them and a slice of feistiness in their nature. That is a call to train the puppy so that these attributes don’t get out of hand.
For the Husky, he is a mentally and physically strong dog with an intense stubborn streak that doesn’t easily submit to the owner’s wishes. This temperament creates challenges for those not accustomed to such a breed.
In contrast, the Husky pups can genuinely prove lovable and silly when they choose to be allowing an excellent family pet, but it depends on their mood. These can be challenging dogs to train and can run off if you’re not paying attention due to their sled dog ancestry.
Keeping the parent’s demeanor in mind, you will surmise that a Dusky will need continual training regardless of which dominant traits are at the forefront. The animal will likely be a good family pet but has the potential for being exceptionally willful and stubborn.
For those who commit and provide adequate time and devotion to the pup’s development, it is possible to achieve the best from both breeds, with this cross equaling out to a loving, faithful companion.
Dusky Appearance
The puppies of a Dachshund husky mix can be exceptionally unpredictable in physical appearance with the potential to take on one of many different looks with traits varying as follows:
- Height: The dog can be as tall as 20″ or minimally 8.”
- Weight: You can have a pup up to 60 pounds but then find a tiny package as small as 16 pounds.
- Colors: These can vary significantly from fawn, red, gray, white, cream, tan, black, chocolate.
- Patterns: There is the possibility of piebald, merle, even brindle.
The best indication you’ll have as to the results of breeding is by the parents since there is such a vast range of possibilities. It makes it a challenge to narrow down, meaning you’ll otherwise be amazed by the outcome.
If you meet the parents bred, you can assess the weight and height to determine an expectation for the range your mix will fall. Seeing the parents allows a general guideline regarding the facial features, including the eyes and ears.
A Husky tends towards the sky blue eyes. If the parent has these, it might be a fair assumption that some pups in the litter will also carry this gene. It’s merely a matter of which breed the puppies take most after. But one trait many experts concur is that a Dusky will undoubtedly develop short, stubby legs like the Dachshund.
Grooming and Hygiene Of Your Dusky
As seen with the Husky pup, you will likely see a lot of shedding from your cross with the potential for molting when summer arrives and again with winter’s arrival. Duskies require regular bathing and brushing to eliminate excess hair.
For the pups that have floppy ears, there is the possibility of ear infections. It’s critical to keep their ears clean, making sure to rid them of any dirt or grime. Nails need trimming often, plus it would be advantageous for the puppy to have his teeth cleaned with a special canine paste.
Health And Lifespan Of The Dusky
The dachshund husky mix has only been in existence for approximately 20 years. Breeders are still attempting to reach a definitive answer to these questions for the Dusky. The suggestion from experts on the cross is for a realistic expectation of a lifespan ranging from 12 years up to 16 years based on general care and health and wellness.
With the size differences in the parent dogs, the complex structure of the Dusky creates health issues in the sense of spinal and general structural defects. These can include diseases such as intervertebral disc disorder. The short, stubby legs can also create problems for the pup. Less severe conditions the dogs face are the possibility of heart disease, epilepsy, hyperthyroidism, and urinary stones. Extreme conditions aside from intervertebral disk disorder can include eye disorders/disease, patellar luxation, and hip dysplasia.
It’s essential with all animals, but especially in this case, to register with a licensed, reputable veterinarian to monitor development and health progression so defects can be caught early and taken care of immediately.
Dusky Care And Feeding
When adopting a dog from a breeder, it’s essential to learn what food the Dusky is consuming while in their care so that you can continue that meal plan at home, at least in the short term. Changing food for a dog needs to be something done in a slow, gradual process.
When and if you decide to switch, it’s always ideal to mix some of the new food into the current brand and do so over the span of a few weeks, slowly decreasing the old brand and substituting with the new. That will prevent refusal of food or finickiness.
The suggestion for a Dusky or any dog is to tailor a nutrient-rich, balanced diet to their size, age, and level of energy. The food should be of the highest quality, which you can assure by researching the top five ingredients on the packaging. These are always the most abundant in the product. Dry food specifically formulated for your active Dusky, whether it is small or medium size, is best.
Exercise And Activity Requirements For The Dusky
The Husky parent’s exercise requirements are demanding due to the sled dog persona. At the same time, the Dachshund is exceptionally enthusiastic with their activity schedule, almost to the same degree as the Husky.
With the potential for a more diminutive stature and unusual structure, the exercise and activity will need balancing for the Dusky. Again, you won’t know the dog’s size until he’s born with the potential to range vastly. You’ll need to follow the size and commit to walking with the pup a few times each day but with shorter timeframes.
Something that needs stressing is to stimulate the canine physically and mentally every day, keeping him engaged all day somehow. The parents of the Dusky are each brilliant dogs with an innate curiosity making mental stimulation a must. Otherwise, the puppy will find something to do on his own and that will usually spell trouble or destruction.
How To Train A Dusky
Having A consistent, stringent training program in line is vital for a Dusky puppy, particularly inclusive of socialization and leash exercises beginning very young. Plus, the dog will need to learn adequate to learn obedience skills to decrease tendencies towards aggression when it comes to small children and other pets. Of course, the pup as any dog has to start early with the essentials of housebreaking.
Fun Fact: Duskies love to root and dig like a dachshund will do under blankets, in the dirt, in your yard. It comes from the badger hunter in the parent breed. Training on when and where this behavior is acceptable would be a suggestion.
How much does a Dusky cost?
Finding Dusky puppies depends on the area you live in and if there are breeders around you. If you do find local breeders, it’s critical to ensure you select a reliable, reputable option, one that allows visits to the kennel to meet the dogs before you commit.
That visit is telling in that you can see how the puppy interacts in the litter to determine personality traits, but more than anything, you can see how well the dogs are cared for by the breeder. Depending on the popularity and availability in your area, the Duskies can range in price with a baseline of $1000 up to approximately $1500.
Is The Dusky Right For You?
The Dusky is an animal that some breeders advise proceeding with a slight degree of caution when considering adoption due to the temperament. As any “animal person” will understand, a dog is only as good as its owner. If you train him positively and adequately, his behavior will follow suit.
All puppies will be a little rambunctious every once in a while – they’re puppies. There aren’t too many dog owners that haven’t seen a favorite shoe destroyed. When you commit, it’s almost like having a child; it’s your responsibility to teach.
As a general rule, Duskies make good family dogs. These pups crave family attention and enjoy being with everyone in the home. The dogs are exceptionally active, making them a good pet for kids who can run and play with them. But it’s wise to wait until the kids are a little bit older because many dogs, especially this crossbreed, are not fond of small children who tend to play rough and prod or poke at them, in some cases causing a dog to nip.
Other Dachshund Mixes
You might want to see more Dachshund mixes, check out the list below:
