Newfoundland Dogs, or Newfies, are strikingly large and powerful working dogs with an incredibly sweet and gentle demeanor. On the other hand, the Siberian Huskies are medium-sized dogs that are slightly longer than they are tall. They are best known for being intelligent, friendly, mischievous, and playful.

So, what can you expect of a Newfoundland Dog Husky mix? Let’s find out!

Read on for detailed information about the breed profile of the Newfskie. We will discuss this hybrid’s temperament, intelligence, care needs, and more.

Breed Overview

The Newfoundland Dog Husky mix results from breeding Newfoundland and Siberian Huskies. Puppies can inherit mixed qualities from either parent, and it’s impossible to guess their precise physical attributes and temperaments in advance. Still, there are a few standard qualities to expect.

First, Newfskies often get large but not as big as pure Newfies. They have thick, double-layered coats like both parents; most come in solid brown, gray, or black. It is also common for some dogs to have spots of any of these colors. Also, most dogs have floppy ears like Newfies, and only a few have the light blue eyes of the Husky parent.

Predicting the temperament of a puppy is even more challenging because Newfies and Huskies only have a few crossing traits. Although you can expect an intelligent, loyal, and friendly puppy, the rest of the features are a lottery.

Newfoundland Dog Husky Mix Characteristics

Newfoundland Dog Husky Mix Puppies

Newfskie puppies are highly energetic and intelligent. Although it’s hard to predict which genes dominate over time, most are eager to please, like Newfies. They tend to adopt a stubborn streak as they grow older.

It is best to begin training and socialization during puppyhood. Puppies adore training and take it as a game. This offers you the perfect opportunity to mold them into shape and increase their odds of growing into the best versions of themselves.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Newfoundland Husky Mix

Newfskies are cheerful dogs. Although independent and stubborn, they are affectionate with their family members and are always happy to cuddle or engage in play. It’s also hard to miss their super friendly nature, which makes them an ill fit for pet parents looking for guard dogs.

Moreover, Newfoundland Husky mixes are intelligent. While they quickly learn new concepts and tricks, this doesn’t guarantee they will jump to action at your every command. They also have a naughty side like their Husky parent and can get mischievous, especially when bored.

As a crossbreed between two powerful working dogs, Newfskies constantly need to keep busy. Although overexertion can harm their joints, they are happier when they can move around all day. They enjoy the great outdoors and also appreciate activities that put their brains to work.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Newfskies are family-oriented dogs that are naturally friendly and open to human interaction. They are attentive and intelligent and can play with kids of different ages. However, they are also stubborn, independent thinkers that don’t always follow commands. This makes it better not to allow unsupervised play time, especially with kids under seven.

Older kids can play unsupervised with the doggo, provided they uphold safe handling methods. Newfoundland Husky mixes have a low tendency to bite people but can bite if excited, afraid, provoked, or in pain.

They also have a higher-than-average tendency to play bite and nip during playtime. Although this is not an aggressive behavior, it increases the risk of injuries if the habit goes unchecked.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Newfskies are generally good with other pets, especially those raised together. They socialize well with dogs of the same breed and can tolerate those from other breeds. Although most don’t have a high impulse to chase and catch smaller pets like cats and bunnies, some individuals take after their Newfie parent and have a higher prey drive.

Generally, Newfskies can adapt to living in a multi-pet household. However, you cannot trust them to play with smaller animals unsupervised. This is not to say that some individuals are not genuinely good. Some display perfect behavior once trained.

Things to Know When Owning a Newfoundland Husky Mix

Newfoundland Husky mixes are not for everyone, and that’s okay. They have unique grooming, training, socialization, and exercise needs you must meet to keep them healthy and happy. Most importantly, these dogs are better off when adopted by experienced pet parents with a sense of humor.

Your way of feeling, thinking, and behaving must allow you to embrace the best traits of this designer dog. Moreover, you must have the heart to disregard the dog’s stubbornness, among other less appealing qualities.

Here is what you should know before bringing a Newfskie home.

Food & Diet Requirements

Newfskies are not picky eaters and will gladly dine on anything you offer. Still, it is crucial to know their dietary requirements and ensure each serving contains elements that can enrich your pet’s health.

Generally, they need high amounts of protein from quality meat sources. You must also ensure their diets combine essential fatty acids, omegas, minerals, vitamins, and fiber from vegetables and berries.

Like most dogs, Newfoundland Husky mixes don’t need carbs. Their digestive systems are not anatomically designed to process and ferment carbohydrates.

When choosing kibble products, ensure they are grain free and don’t contain starchy carbs from ingredients like legumes, lentils, and rice. They must also be free of unhealthy additives like artificial flavors and food color.

Exercise

As large dogs, you must provide a proper balance of exercise to keep your pet lean and healthy. However, it is best not to offer too much exercise, particularly when raising Newfskie puppies. Although pups can be pretty rambunctious, strenuous workouts can damage their growing bones, ligaments, and joints.

Both Newfoundland dogs and Huskies are working dogs that need to remain active. Two hours of exercise daily is sufficient, provided your pet has room to walk around and keep busy. You can also engage it in activities like herding, carting, tracking, and swimming to ensure it has sufficient workouts.

Apart from physical exercise, it is essential also to provide mental workouts. These are an ideal substitute, especially during adverse weather that might hinder you from playing outdoors. Keeping your pet active can help kill boredom and prevent it from getting destructive.

Training

Newfskies are intelligent dogs and love to please, just like their Newfoundland parents. However, they are as stubborn and headstrong as Huskies, which can make training a hurdle, especially for a new pet parent.

Many times, the dog will know exactly what you are asking but won’t bother to follow your command. Think of the hybrid as a dog that loves having the final word.

Fortunately, Newfskies also have a gentle side you can bring out by sharing a few treats. They love food incentives and gladly follow commands if offered loads of praise or petting. Because they are also sensitive, always remain calm but firm during training to earn their trust and respect.

Grooming

Newfoundland Husky mixes have double coats.

Like both parents, they shed a lot all year round and shed their entire undercoat at least twice yearly. It is essential to be ready for the amount of hair the dog will sprinkle on your sofas, carpets, and clothes. Also, don’t be surprised to occasionally find dog furs in places they should never be, like in your butter dish.

The easiest way to bring some sanity to your dog’s shedding is to brush its coat with a slicker brush and a long-toothed comb several times weekly. This should help remove dead fur and prevent mats from forming.

Like all dogs, Newfskies need their nails kept tidy and trimmed because long ones can cause discomfort and structural problems. You must also regularly check and clean the ears and maintain a routine dental care routine.

Although the hybrid doesn’t smell any worse than other dogs, its double coat can collect more dirt and germs. Bath your pet whenever it smells less than its best.

Health and Conditions

Like most mixed breeds, Newfskies are generally healthy, primarily when bred by a breeder committed to their health and longevity.

Crossbreeding reduces the odds of the hybrid inheriting health concerns prone to its purebred parents. Although they don’t have the longest lifespan in the dog kingdom, they can live up to 12 years with proper care. This is not a short lifespan, especially considering the dog’s size.

If you have decided to add a Newfskie to your household, you must watch out for the following health concerns.

Male vs. Female

Newfskies are a crossbreed from two well-natured purebreds. Irrespective of sex, they are intelligent, loyal, and family oriented. Generally, it’s hard to predict temperaments based on gender. Even dogs of opposite sexes can have almost similar traits if trained and socialized. Still, a few aspects can make a male Newfskie better than a female or vice versa.

If you have owned other dogs in the past, a male Newfskie can give you the ultimate pet parenting experience. Males are super loyal, social, and affectionate.

On the downside, male Newfoundland Husky mixes have stronger temperaments. They are not pushovers and tend to be more stubborn and harder to train. Although their stubbornness may not be apparent during puppyhood, they become very willful once they become adolescents.

Female Newfskies can also be strong-headed, but males generally require a firmer hand during training. The girls are usually more peaceful and ideal for homes with younger kids. Unlike males, that can be pushy and downright aggressive if provoked, females are more tolerant of kids and other pets.

3 Little-Known Facts About Newfoundland Husky Mixes

1. They Are Too Friendly to Be Good Guard Dogs

If you want a guard dog, the Newfskie may not be ideal. Although large, alert, and intelligent, the hybrid is affectionate with everyone, just like both parents. It can be protective, but it’s more likely to play docile even with strangers. A few treats and praises are enough to turn your dog into a burglar’s best buddy.

2. They Are Not as Smelly as Other Breeds With Heavy Coats

Newfoundland Husky mixes have thick double-furred coats. Surprisingly, most have a soft, wooly scent like Huskies and are not as smelly as most dogs with their coat type. When properly and routinely groomed, they maintain a generally pleasing scent. If your Newfskie is smelly, it probably needs a bath or has a skin infection requiring immediate medical attention.

3. Newfskies Cost a Lot

A Newfoundland puppy from a reputable breeder costs as much as $2,500, and dogs of a particular lineage can cost even more. On the other hand, Siberian Huskies cost between $750 and $2,500. Newfoundland Husky mixes are equally expensive because of the cost of the parent breeds. They cost between $1,500 and $2,000 if purchased from a reputable breeder.

Final Thoughts

Newfskies are slightly smaller versions of Newfies. They are people-oriented and form strong bonds with the entire family. These dogs are also super intelligent, friendly, loyal, affectionate, and wickedly strong. Although they are not overly clingy, thanks to their Husky parent, they are relatively active work dogs that need reasonable amounts of mental and physical stimulation.

Do you want to adopt a Newfoundland Husky mix? Before you do, be honest with yourself and decide whether you can meet the dog’s care demands.

First, boredom increases the odds of this hybrid becoming destructive and developing behavioral problems. Second, your dog will shed a lot all year round. You can take solace in that Newfskies are not leaky faucets, and most don’t drool much like Newfies.

Featured Image Credit: (L) Iuliia Khabibullina, Shutterstock | (R) Sbolotova, Shutterstock

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