Siberian Husky versus Australian Shepherd. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Apr 03, 2022

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Siberian Husky Versus Australian Shepherd: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Siberian Husky and for the Australian Shepherd. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Siberian Husky or the Australian Shepherd.

Siberian Husky versus Australian Shepherd

Siberian Husky versus Australian Shepherd: Overview

Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd are similar in size. The Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Siberian Husky belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Siberian Husky versus Australian Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Siberian Husky to the Australian Shepherd based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd

FactorSiberian HuskyAustralian Shepherd
Good For Novice Owners1/52/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Life Span12 to 15 years12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living2/51/5
Easy To Groom2/51/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/52/5
Easy To Train2/55/5
Height20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather3/54/5
Does NOT Drool3/55/5
Intelligence3/55/5
Low Prey Drive3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Weight35 to 60 pounds40 to 65 pounds
Easygoing2/51/5
Does NOT Shed2/53/5
General Health4/52/5
Does NOT chew on things2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather5/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Dog Friendly5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/51/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years13.5 years
Average Price$1080$1180
Price Range$700 – $1250$800 – $1500
Temperament Score86.8 percent82.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- min age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds1415
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)4542

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Siberian Husky in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Australian Shepherd. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Siberian Husky is 71 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Siberian Husky is a better pet than the Australian Shepherd. So, you should get a Siberian Husky!

    Siberian Husky versus Australian Shepherd

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd

    Below is a list of where the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd are most different:

  • Siberian Huskys are not easy to train. However, Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd

    The Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd are most similar:

  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Siberian Husky versus Australian Shepherd

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd.

    The Siberian Husky weighs 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. The Siberian Husky is 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Siberian Husky versus Size of Australian Shepherd

    Appearance (Colors) of the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd

    Siberian Husky Colors

    The Siberian Husky comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Merle (Blue)
    • Bicolor
    • White / Cream
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Sable
    • Merle (Red)

    The Siberian Husky comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Black
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Bicolor
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Apricot / Beige

    Australian Shepherd Colors

    The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Black
    • Merle (Red)
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Harlequin
    • Merle (Blue)
    • White / Cream
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Bicolor
    • Golden
    • Brindle

    The Siberian Husky comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Black
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Sable
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Merle (Blue)

    Lifespan of Siberian Husky versus Australian Shepherd

    The lifespan of Siberian Huskys is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Siberian Huskys is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Australian Shepherds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Shepherds is 13.5 years.

    Siberian Husky versus Australian Shepherd

    Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Siberian Husky

    The Siberian Husky has a better temperament than the Australian Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Siberian Husky is 86.8 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 86.8 percent, the Siberian Husky has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 310 Siberian Huskys and 702 Australian Shepherds.

    Price of Siberian Husky versus Price of Australian Shepherd

    The average price of the Siberian Husky puppy is $1080. The price of the Siberian Husky typically ranges from $700 – $1250. However, the price of a Siberian Husky can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1036 Siberian Husky puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of the Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Australian Shepherd is more expensive than the Siberian Husky.

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    Siberian Husky Australian Shepherd
    Average Price $1080 $1180
    Price Range $700 to $1250 $800 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Siberian Husky and Australian Shepherd. For different price points, the charts show how many Siberian Husky puppies or how many Australian Shepherd puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Siberian Huskys. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Siberian Huskys. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Siberian Husky puppy or the Australian Shepherd puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Siberian Husky versus Australian Shepherd

    Adopting the Siberian Husky versus Adopting the Australian Shepherd

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Siberian Huskys and many Australian Shepherds are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Siberian Husky named Toby that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Siberian Huskys like Toby on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Siberian Huskys, Australian Shepherds are also available for adoption. For example, Leahy is a Male Australian Shepherd that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Australian Shepherds like Leahy that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Toby is the name of another Siberian Husky (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Duncan is an adorable Male Australian Shepherd on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Siberian Huskys and Australian Shepherds are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Siberian Huskys and Australian Shepherds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Siberian Husky versus the Intelligence of the Australian Shepherd

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    Siberian Husky Australian Shepherd
    Intelligence Rank 45 out of 130 dog breeds 42 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Siberian Husky has an obedience intelligence rank of 45 out of 130 dog breeds. The Siberian Husky belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Siberian Huskys tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Australian Shepherd has an obedience intelligence rank of 42 out of 130 dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Australian Shepherds tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Australian Shepherd is more intelligent than the Siberian Husky.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Siberian Husky versus Popularity of Australian Shepherd

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Siberian Husky is more popular with dog owners than the Australian Shepherd. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Siberian Husky is 14 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Siberian Husky

    Popularity of Siberian Husky

    Popularity of Australian Shepherd

    Popularity of Australian Shepherd

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    Year Siberian Husky Popularity Rank Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank
    2013 14 20
    2014 13 18
    2015 12 17
    2016 12 16
    2017 12 17
    2018 14 15
    2019 15 13
    2020 16 12
    2021 19 12

    Health Problems of Siberian Husky versus Health Problems of Australian Shepherd

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Siberian Husky.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Siberian Husky.

    2 health tests are recommended for Siberian Husky while 7 tests are recommended for the Australian Shepherd.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Siberian Huskys and in Australian Shepherds.

    Siberian Husky Health Problems

    Siberian Huskys are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Siberian Husky puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Siberian Husky puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Siberian Husky breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Siberian Huskys for:

  • Eye Examination- min age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Siberian Huskys here.

    Australian Shepherd Health Problems

    Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Australian Shepherds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Siberian Huskys and Australian Shepherds

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Siberian Husky Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Siberian Husky ranks 46 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 131 Siberian Huskys, 1 of them had Dentition Database problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Siberian Huskys, and how common these diseases are in Siberian Huskys relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 46 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 62 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 98 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 120 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 135 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 188 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Australian Shepherd Breed is Cataracts problems.

    This is because the Australian Shepherd ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Cataracts problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 107 Australian Shepherds, 2 of them had Cataracts problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Australian Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Cataracts problems: Rank 1 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 2 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 7 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 12 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 19 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 28 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 60 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 66 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 77 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 103 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 133 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 150 out of 198 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Siberian Husky and in Australian Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd:

    `
    Disease Siberian Husky Rank Australian Shepherd Rank
    Dentition Database problems 46 out of 49 dog breeds 28 out of 49 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 62 out of 182 dog breeds 133 out of 182 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 98 out of 115 dog breeds 66 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems 120 out of 145 dog breeds 103 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 135 out of 144 dog breeds 77 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 188 out of 198 dog breeds 150 out of 198 dog breeds
    Cataracts problems Not Common 1 out of 5 dog breeds
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems Not Common 2 out of 7 dog breeds
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems Not Common 7 out of 32 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 12 out of 70 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 19 out of 22 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 60 out of 159 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Siberian Husky versus Australian Shepherd

    Siberian Huskys do not like to be left alone.

    Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Siberian Huskys shed more than Australian Shepherds?

    Siberian Huskys shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Siberian Husky or the Australian Shepherd?

    Siberian Huskys require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Siberian Husky or the Australian Shepherd?

    Siberian Huskys get along very well with other dogs.

    Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Siberian Huskys good family dogs? What about Australian Shepherds?

    Siberian Huskys are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Siberian Husky Easier to Train than the Australian Shepherd?

    Siberian Huskys are not easy to train.

    Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Siberian Husky or the Australian Shepherd

    Siberian Huskys drool moderately.

    Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Siberian Huskys and Australian Shepherds?

    Siberian Huskys get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Siberian Husky Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Shepherd?

    Siberian Huskys have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Siberian Huskys Bark and Howl? What about Australian Shepherds?

    Siberian Huskys are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Siberian Huskys Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Siberian Huskys can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Siberian Husky vs. Australian Shepherd

    Siberian Huskys have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Siberian Huskys Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Siberian Huskys can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Siberian Husky Better for Apartment Owners than the Australian Shepherd?

    Siberian Huskys do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Siberian Husky or the Australian Shepherd?

    Siberian Huskys are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Siberian Husky Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Siberian Husky compares to other breeds aside from the Australian Shepherd. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Siberian Husky to other breeds:

    Siberian Husky versus Labrador Retriever     Siberian Husky versus Australian Shepherd     Siberian Husky versus Akita     Siberian Husky versus Samoyed     Siberian Husky versus German Shepherd Dog     Siberian Husky versus Alaskan Malamute     Siberian Husky versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Siberian Husky versus Golden Retriever     

    Conclusion: Siberian Husky versus Australian Shepherd. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd better suits you and your family.