The Blue Heeler Husky mix is beautiful and appealing to many dog lovers. However, when getting a new pet, you should always consider a lot more than just their looks.

This dog is gorgeous, intelligent, active, and hard-working, but he isn’t for everyone.

In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Ausky. More importantly, we’ll tell you if this breed suits you or not.

History of the Blue Heeler Husky Mix

We don’t know exactly when the first Blue Heeler Husky mix came into our world. Yet, we do know a bit about the history of his ancestors.

The Ausky is a cross between two hard-working dog breeds: the Husky and the Australian Cattle Dog. To understand Ausky’s characteristics, let’s start by getting to know a bit more about his parents’ traits.

Blue Heeler History

The Australian Cattle Dog breed originated in tough climates in the outbacks of Australia. Because they could handle such extreme weather conditions, they were mainly used to herd cattle.

Given that, Blue Heelers are highly intelligent dogs capable of handling problems. They’re also rather stubborn, which comes in handy when herding cattle.

Nonetheless, they tend to be aggressive toward other dogs. So, it’s necessary to train them early on so they can learn how to behave in unfamiliar situations.

Surprisingly, the Blue Heeler is a crossbreed himself of various breeds including the following:

• Smithfield: The sturdy Smithfield was used in developing Blue Heeler to enhance the dog’s strength.
• Dingo: This dog breed was used to enhance the Blue Heeler’s endurance.
• Smooth Collie (Blue Coated): It was used in the 1840s to modify the breed’s aggression.
• Bull Terrier: This breed was used to improve the dog’s ability to herd stock.
• Dalmatian: This dog was used to increase the loyalty of Heelers.
• Kelpie: This dog was picked to boost the Heelers’ work ethic.

Siberian Husky History

Siberian Huskies are well-known for their intelligence, speed, and high endurance. Huskies are considered working dogs, originally used to pull sleds and carry supplies and even people.

They also used to work as hunters and they’ve proven to be capable and hard-working.

At first glance, these dogs seem aggressive due to their appearance being similar to that of wolves. However, they were bred to live alongside families, which has made them more tolerant.

Unlike Blue Heelers, the Husky breed stayed pure for thousands of years until the 20th century.

Blue Heeler Husky Mix Characteristics

The history of information about this breed’s personality and traits is too short. That’s why all the information we know about this dog’s characteristics we got by studying his parents’ breeds.

Both Huskies and Blue Heelers are intelligent and have high endurance, so your Ausky probably has both characteristics.

There are also differences between the parent breeds. Huskies are considerably friendlier with strangers. Plus, they like living in large families.

Conversely, Heelers are one-person dogs, and they’re more protective compared to Huskies.

Here’s how your Ausky personality is likely to be:

Hard-Working

Because both his parents are hard workers, their offspring will only be satisfied with a challenging job.

You can use him as a hunter or herder if you have livestock. You can also teach him how to be an efficient watchdog and help keep you and your family safe.

Thus, he’ll be putting his skills to good use and you’ll be getting a hard-working companion you can rely on.

Vigilant

These dogs have the instinct to keep an eye out for strangers, which is why it seems they’re on high alert all the time. For example, if they hear a noise in the backyard, they won’t hesitate to check it out.

This is why these dogs take time to get used to new people and places. So, if you’re planning to host people your dog doesn’t know, give him time to approach and sniff so he can feel safe around your guests.

Active

Auskies are energetic dogs and have special stamina abilities. That’s why they make great running and hiking buddies.

They’re ideal companions for an active family or someone who spends lots of time outdoors or regularly plays sports.

Intelligent

Auskies are incredibly smart like their parents. With a bit of positive reinforcement, they can become quick learners.

This is true at all stages of their lives, not only when they’re young. However, the downside of being intelligent is that they require regular mental stimulation, so they don’t get bored and become destructive.

This stimulation can be offered through different games like Scavenger Hunts or interactive toys and other activities.

Moderately Aggressive

Unfortunately, Auskies are known to be slightly aggressive at times. However, the good news is that you can minimize their hostility with proper training techniques. After that, they’ll only show aggression when trying to protect you and your family.

Yet, keep in mind that if they don’t get their daily dose of activity, they may get a case of cabin fever, and you may see a glimpse of their destructive behavior.

Not the Best Family Dog

Their mild aggression is one reason why some consider Auskies not the best choice for a pet, especially if you have small children at home. For starters, they aren’t family dogs by nature and take longer than most breeds to get used to their surroundings.

Nonetheless, they can still be amazing pets if you train them when they’re still puppies. Mastering all the right commands can help tone down their aggressive streak, which will help them become better companions for your kids, not to mention fierce protectors.

Blue Heeler Husky Mix Appearance

The Ausky is an athletic, mid-sized dog. He has a strong, agile, compact, and super muscular body. He’s also known for his wide head and medium-length muzzle.

His almond-shaped eyes can be brown or blue. Some pups even have two different colored eyes, which is a rare condition called heterochromia. Another distinguishing feature of this mix is his ears that are always pointing upward in anticipation.

The Ausky has a short and kinky double coat, which he inherits from his Australian Cattle Dog parent. If he inherited more of the Husky genes, on the other hand, then the undercoat would be longer and smoother.

Either way, their coats can come in a variety of colors, such as:

• Brown 
• Gray
• Black
• Red
• White 
• Silver
• Blue 
• Cream

Blue Heeler Husky Mix Price and Expenses

The price range for a Blue Heeler Husky mix is considerably wide. You can get an Ausky for as little as $600 or as much as $6000, depending on the breeder and the individual characteristics of the dog.

However, when purchasing an Ausky, always make sure you’re dealing with a reputable breeder. This is to avoid getting a dog with improper behaviors, which causes you problems later on.

Besides the purchase price, getting a new dog means you need to set a budget for his care. So, let’s take a look at what your new friend will need.

First, an initial vet exam and vaccinations are required in the dog’s first days. This will probably cost you between $300 and $500. To spay or neuter the dog, you’ll need to pay around $500.

In addition, getting a dog house or a dog bed will cost you from $16 to $150, depending on the brand and size. Other essential items, including a leash, bowls, and toys, can cost you between $50–$100.

Finally, regular expenses for food, treats, and routine vet check-ups will cost you from $500 to $3500 a year.

Blue Heeler Husky Mix Life Expectancy

The Ausky is a pretty healthy dog with a relatively long lifespan, ranging between 11 and 15 years, which is a bit similar to that of his parents.

The Australian Cattle Dog has an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years, while for Huskies, it’s 12 to 15 years.

Blue Heeler Husky Mix Size and Weight

Overall, males and females of this breed have highly similar physical characteristics and sizes. Both are medium-sized, well-muscled, and compact.

A full-grown Ausky can reach an average height of 17 up to 25 inches for both males and females.

Regarding weight, an adult female Ausky weight usually ranges between 34 and 62 pounds. On the other hand, males are slightly heavier, ranging between 35 and 64 pounds.

Blue Heeler Husky Mix Health

Auskies are healthy dogs in general, just like their parents. That said, like all dogs, as your Husky Heeler mix friend gets older, he’ll become more prone to health issues.

That’s why you need to take him to regular check-ups at the vet. Here are some of the most common health issues your Ausky might encounter:

• Cataracts
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Deafness
• Corneal dystrophy
• Hip dysplasia

How to Care for a Blue Heeler Husky Mix

Here’s how to best take care of your Ausky friend:

Activity and Exercise

Auskies are high-energy dogs that love to stay active all day long. So, you should provide your dog with plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

To do that, you need to set a daily exercise routine where you and your pooch can spend some much-needed quality time. Try to diversify the types of activities within the workout between playing and running.

Ideally, this dog needs at least two hours of active time daily. Besides exercise, it’s also a good idea to take him out for daily walks. Playing fetch or tossing a frisbee are another two great choices.

With that in mind, if you plan to leave the Blue Heeler Husky mix alone for a relatively long period, make sure you leave him with an abundance of chew and puzzle toys to keep him entertained.

Grooming

How much grooming your dog needs varies from one Ausky to the other. 

If your dog inherited his Australian parent’s kinky and short undercoat, he’ll only need the occasional bath. He’ll also need to brush his coat 1–2 times a week using a slicker or stiff bristle brush.

On the flip side, if your hybrid dog takes after his Husky parent’s undercoat type, he’s going to need daily grooming with a stiff bristle brush to remove any kinks, matting, and debris.

In addition, Auskies with Husky undercoats are more likely to shed, especially during the fall and spring.

Obedience Training

Auskies require a lot of training to teach them how to put their intelligence to good use. Plus, training will curb their unwanted behaviors and it’ll allow you to handle them with greater ease.

You should start training them as early as possible so you can start seeing results quickly. To control your Ausky’s behavior, you should act as a dominant and assertive leader both in training and in your daily interactions.

That said, only use positive reinforcement while training them. Stay away from aggressive training behavior as it’ll only lead to counterproductive results.

Here are some basic training commands every Ausky should master:

• Obedience
• Discipline
• Socialization
• Agility
• Potty training
• Leash training

Nutrition and Diet

Generally, a Blue Heeler Husky mix needs from 2 to 3 cups of quality dog food divided into two or three meals over the course of the day.

He also needs treats from time to time. Yet, make sure the amount of daily treats never exceeds 10% of their total daily calories to avoid the risk of obesity.

To help you keep track, use an online dog calorie calculator to get a clear idea about your dog’s required daily calories.

For better skin for your Ausky, add a kibble formula rich in Omega-3 to his diet. Also, try to include probiotics as well to boost his kidneys and liver health.

Moreover, always provide him with renewable fresh water all the time to help in better digestion and keep him hydrated all day long.

The Bottom Line

The Blue Heeler Husky mix is an intelligent, high-energy, working dog. He’ll make the perfect pet if you and your family lead an active lifestyle.

He can also be a good family dog after he’s had the necessary training. Then, once he’s learned all the proper commands, you’ll enjoy having a fiercely loyal and highly affectionate companion for many years to come!