The Siberian Husky is often confused with a wolf, by people who don’t really know a lot about this breed. In fact, not just wolves but other breeds of dog. The Husky shares a lot of physical attributes with other dogs, however. For instance, there are obvious similarities between the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute, at first glance at least.
However, it doesn’t take long to realize the Malamute, despite being about the same size (in height) is still a far bigger dog. Actually, if you’re interested in the differences between these two breeds, check them out here if you like.
So, because of the above, some people don’t realize that the Siberian Husky isn’t actually regarded as a big dog. In fact, officially – it is a medium-sized dog and often people are initially surprised at their size when they first see
When does a Siberian Husky reach full size? Both the male and female Siberian Husky will reach their maximum height at about 12 months and maximum weight at around 15 months. Although bear in mind these are averages and some Huskies continue to put on weight until they are almost 3 years old! The best way to determine how big the Husky will become is to take a look at their parents.
Siberian Husky Development
Let’s take a look at each stage of the development of the Siberian Husky and see what’s going on at each point and how this might affect its ultimate weight.
Siberian Husky weight table
| Husky Age (m) | Male Husky | Female Husky |
| 1 | 5-10 lbs | 5-10 lbs |
| 2 | 10-17 lbs | 9-16 lbs |
| 3 | 17-23 lbs | 14-20 lbs |
| 4 | 23-30 lbs | 17-26 lbs |
| 5 | 29-38 lbs | 22-33 lbs |
| 6 | 32-44 lbs | 26-37 lbs |
| 7 | 35-47 lbs | 27-42 lbs |
| 8 | 38-50 lbs | 30-45 lbs |
| 9 | 39-55 lbs | 33-46 lbs |
| 10 | 41-56 lbs | 33-46 lbs |
| 11 | 42-57 lbs | 33-47 lbs |
| 12 | 43-57 lbs | 34-48 lbs |
| 13 | 44-58 lbs | 34-49 lbs |
| 14 | 44-58 lbs | 35-50 lbs |
| 15 | 45-59 lbs | 35-51 lbs |
| 16 | 45-60 lbs | 35-51 lbs |
| 17 | 46-61 lbs | 35-51 lbs |
| 18 | 56-61 lbs | 36-51 lbs |
Siberian Husky at 0 to 2 weeks old
Once the Husky is born you will notice that its eyes are closed. This is quite normal and is not specific to your dog, or indeed this breed of dog. It is quite normal for animals to be born with their eyes tightly closed. There is actually a good reason for this historically, although maybe not so relevant now but I will briefly share it with you. In times past, the wild dog survived by having to hunt.
Having to carry a litter within it would severely limit this ability – they wouldn’t be able to catch a thing! So, the litter is born after only about two months which is actually before they are properly developed!
So, there was obviously a positive and negative impact
The obvious downside is that the puppies are quite helpless at this point and not only can’t see but can’t hear. In fact, it’s not just the obvious lack of eyesight and hearing that hasn’t developed – its internal organs, critical for its survival (including its brain) are still developing too. So, as the eye is not yet developed, it is protected by keeping the eyelid tightly closed.
The eyelids will open at about the end of this initial period, around two weeks but can be up to around 4 weeks in others.
There is not much going on at this time that can affect its ultimate weight, apart from genetics and the mother ensuring that the puppy gets enough milk.
Siberian Husky at 3 to 4 weeks old
It is around this time that the Husky’s eyes will start to open, although their eyesight is still far from what we would consider ‘normal’. Even when it is fully developed, the eyesight of a canine is not the same as ours.
Although a popular misconception is that all dogs are color blind – this is not true, although they don’t see things in the same way as ours. The Siberian Husky will never be able to see reds and greens as we do, these colors will be seen as shades of yellows – take a look at the optical spectrum of the Husky compared to ours below and you will see what I mean:
They are also short-sighted and anything over around 20 feet away or so will appear blurred. This poor eyesight is more than compensated in other areas though, primarily through its hearing which is many thousands of times better than ours.
Also, around this time they may start to walk and this is where things start to get interesting. They will be bumping into things and they will be stumbling around. Of course, at this time they will still be with their mother and they will be contained so they can’t get into any harm.
They will also start making noise around this point also, it may not be quite like a bark of a howl, more of a whine.
It is said that around the end of the first month the Husky’s personality will start to develop although, to be honest at this time they are all doing pretty much the same thing so it’s hard to see any noticeable differences in the litter, personality-wise. Where you might start to see differences
The breeder needs to keep an eye on how things are progressing during this time to ensure all the puppies in the litter are getting everything they need, nutrition-wise and none are being left out.
Assuming there are other puppies in the litter, this is the time when they shall start to play with each other and learn many things that they will take into adulthood. This is a key part of their development and a stage that can impact the future behavior of the Husky if missed.
Siberian Husky at 4 to 8 Weeks Old
During this period, the Siberian Husky is starting to get more confident on their feet and they are continuing to play with their brothers and sisters. They will play-fight with its siblings and it is during this time that they are learning that biting might not actually be a good idea.
The Husky will give one of its siblings a nip during play and they will receive a high-pitched shriek in response. This response causes enough shock to the biter that it eventually deters from doing it in the future (with us).
At this time, the Husky will still have floppy ears – over time these will become more erect until they stick up. Weaning continues during this time and the Husky puppy should not leave its mother until it is at least 8-weeks old. Doing so early can cause problems for it later as it still learning skills that it will utilize later in life at this point.
Siberian Husky at 8 to 20 Weeks Old
It is from about 8 weeks of age that the Siberian Husky puppy may leave its mother. The new owner can excitedly take their new dog home and introduce it to the family and as soon as their little paws cross the threshold to your home, socialization should start. This is when you invite as many other people, especially children into your home to spend a bit of time playing with your Husky.
Doing this now will help the dog become more rounded and more accepting of other people throughout its life. Not only other people though, other animals as well. The Husky has a very high prey-drive and although it won’t be possible to completely train this out of them, it may help. There’s a bit more on this later.
Siberian Husky at 3 to 6 months old
During this time, socialization should continue and it is around this period that the dreaded teething will begin. This is when they’re going to be chewing on anything they can get their mouths around. Training will continue, as it will throughout their lives.
They should be taught at an early age that going to the toilet inside is not the best of ideas. This can be tricky for the rather stubborn Husky so you may need to get more rewards out than you would for other dog breeds.
Interestingly enough, the personality of your adult Husky is now set – although you shouldn’t worry as you tend to know what you’re getting when you go for the Husky and although every dog is different, it is rare that the main things that you associate with a Husky are not present.
Siberian Husky at 6 to12 months old
Teething will continue and the Husky will continue to grow, although the rate of increase is now starting to slow and at 12 months they have reached about their maximum height, however, they will continue to put on weight.
The puppy, that is still growing, will need lots of exercise during this time. Ideally, this will be a couple of times a day and not just a walk, get them up a nice ‘trotting’ speed for spells also. Don’t forget to include lots of play-sessions also.
The training will continue but so will the Husky’s testing of you. Make sure you are consistent and don’t let them get away with something that they were told off for previously.
The Husky at 18 months old
When the Siberian Husky reaches about 18 months old they are more-or-less fully grown. Their weight has been probably static since about 3 months earlier.
There may be very gradual growth and indeed some Husky’s will continue to grow until they are around 3 years old! Your dog hasn’t just been physically growing during this time but also growing in maturity – your little Husky is a puppy no more.
When Does the Siberian Husky Stop Growing?
The Siberian Husky will stop growing at about the same time, regardless of whether they are a male or female:
- The male Husky reaches about its maximum size around 15 months of age at between 44 lbs and 60 lbs. Some may continue to grow but we’re talking averages here and usually, there won’t be much more weight put on after this point.
- The female Husky reaches its maximum size of between 37 lbs and 51 lbs at the same time as the male, about 15 months of age.
More About Husky Socialization
Just a relatively short note about socialization. It is a key period for all dogs, not just the Husky and is very important for the development of its inter-personal skills later in life. Don’t be inactive and miss this step out if you have any say in it. You can’t go back and do it later.
This step is even more important if you’re considering keeping your Husky in a home where there’s a cat, which isn’t really recommended.
Due to Husky’s high prey-drive, they can view a cat as prey but it isn’t quite as black and white as this. Many owners have Husky’s and cats and they live in perfect harmony for the duration of their lives.
However, you can’t guarantee this will happen. There are also stories of the Husky and cat living together fantastically for years until something switches inside the Husky’s head, they see the cat as prey and the result is your worst nightmare.
Because of these risks and because you can never really guarantee they will get along, the recommendation is that they don’t share a home.
However, I this can’t be avoided then a very intensive socialization period when the Husky is young may help. They must be introduced to as many cats as possible during this short time.
One suggestion sometimes used is to take the Husky along to a cat rescue center. The cats are all safe and it is a controlled environment – your Husky will be on a leash. This way, they get to see and smell lots and lots of cats all in one go.
It’s important that Huskies aren’t left alone – if you’d like to know more about this take a look here.
Summary – when does a Siberian Husky reach full size?
Hopefully, this article has been of some help to you. A Siberian Husky will be fully grown after around 18 months. We can only say what the majority of Husky’s will end up weighing as there are so many variables involved.
For instance, if you’re buying from a good breeder then take a look at the parents if you can. The chances are, your Husky will end up weighing pretty much the same as its parents.
Unlike other breeds, the Husky won’t eat and eat until it falls over, it will typically only eat until it is full – then it will stop. However, if you’re not exercising them enough (and as you know, they require a LOT of exercise) then they might start putting on the pounds.
If you’d like to take a look at my Complete Guide to the Siberian Husky – then do click on the link!