Siberian Huskies
The Siberian Husky is up for an adventure. All you have to do is try to keep up.
Why people love the breed
People love their Huskies because they are mischievous, fun-loving, and freethinking—dogs who are their co-pilots rather than their followers(co-pilots that occasionally put the plane into a tailspin just to see what happens!).
Lifespan: 12 to 14 years.
Epilepsy
This is reported at a higher rate in Huskies compared to other breeds. The exact cause is unknown but a genetic basis is suspected in many breeds. No specific gene has been identified, so no genetic testing is available.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
This is reported at a higher incidence in Huskies compared to other breeds.
Zinc-responsive dermatosis (type 1)
This is seen in only a few northern breeds, including Siberian Huskies. It causes crusting around the eyes, lips, and nose.
Alopecia X (also called follicular dysplasia)
Some Siberian Huskies are affected by this condition common to many spitz breeds, which causes hair loss. It can occur in Huskies, but is not common.
Other health issues
The following conditions, albeit uncommon, are more prevalent in Huskies compared to other breeds: thyroid tumors, spontaneous pneumothorax, ectopic ureters, eosinophilic disease, glaucoma, and bronchiectasis.
Affectionate with family 5
Watchdog level 3
Playfulness 4
Adaptability 3
Social needs 4
Temperament Clever, adventurous, energetic, mischievous
Intelligence 4
Good with other dogs 3
Good with cats or other pets 3
Friendly with strangers 5
Good as a service dog 2
Good for apartments 1
Barking level 3
Appearance
Height 20-23"
Size Large
Colors Gray and white, Black tan and white, Brown and white, Sable and white, Red and white, Agouti and white, Black and white, White, Black
Coat texture Fairly harsh overcoat, soft undercoat
Coat length Medium double coat, straight, stand-off, without facial furnishings
Training
Trainability 1
Exercise
Exercise needs 4
Exercise time 1.5 to 2 hours daily
Mental exercise needs 3
Favorite activities Sled pulling, running in snow, hiking, carting, weight pulling
Grooming
Grooming needs 3
Brushing frequency Weekly (daily when shedding)
Needs professional grooming? No
Drooling level 1
Health issues
Epilepsy
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
Zinc-responsive dermatosis (type 1)
Alopecia X (also called follicular dysplasia)
Other health issues
Other
Bred for Sled pulling
Country of origin Russia
Popularity level 5
Are Siberian Husky Puppies High Maintenance For Grooming
Huskies are only high maintenance during twice yearly shedding seasons,
when they will need to be brushed at least daily for about two weeks.
Is A Siberian Husky A Good Family Dog
Yes, but they can be frustrating if you want a dog that minds you no matter what. Huskies can ignore your directions, run away, and refuse to return until they feel like it. You have to appreciate their independence. They are gentle dogs though, and very affectionate and social.
How
affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other
people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their
owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best
friend.
Physical
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Type
Canine
coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose.
Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential,
and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain
coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
How
long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be
trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Social
Openness To Strangers
How
welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will
be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the
location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever
one is around!
Playfulness Level
How
enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of
puppy hood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch
well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax
on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A
breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds
are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the
mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to
warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How
easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living
conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in
day-to-day life.
Personality
Trainability Level
How
easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to
learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while
others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they
want!
Energy Level
The
amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy
breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend
their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy
breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and
snooze.
Barking Level
How
often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While
some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others
will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still
be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How
much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy.
Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making,
problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the
brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep
their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects
you'd like.
All Traits
Affectionate With Family
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
General Appearance: The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working dog, quick and light on
his feet and free and graceful in action. His moderately compact and well furred body, erect ears and brush tail suggest his Northern heritage. His characteristic gait is smooth and seemingly effortless. He performs his original function in harness most capably, carrying a light load at a moderate speed over great distances. His body proportions and form reflect this basic balance of power, speed and endurance. The males of the Siberian Husky breed are masculine but never coarse; the bitches are feminine but without weakness of structure. In proper condition, with muscle firm and well developed, the Siberian Husky does not carry excess weight. Size, Proportion, Substance: Height - Dogs, 21 to 23½ inches at the withers. Bitches, 20 to 22 inches at the withers. Weight - Dogs, 45 to 60 pounds. Bitches, 35 to 50 pounds. Weight is in proportion to height. The measurements mentioned above represent the extreme height and weight limits with no preference given to either extreme. Any appearance of excessive bone or weight should be penalized. In profile, the length of the body from the point of the shoulder to the rear point of the croup is slightly longer than the height of the body from the ground to the top of the withers. Disqualification - Dogs over 23½ inches and bitches over 22 inches. Head: Expression is keen, but friendly; interested and even mischievous. Eyes almond shaped, moderately spaced and set a trifle obliquely. Eyes may be brown or blue in color; one of each or parti-colored are acceptable. Faults - Eyes set too obliquely; set too close together. Ears of
medium size, triangular in shape, close fitting and set high on the head. They are thick, well
furred, slightly arched at the back, and strongly erect, with slightly rounded tips pointing straight
up. Faults - Ears too large in proportion to the head; too wide set; not strongly erect. Skull of
medium size and in proportion to the body; slightly rounded on top and tapering from the widest point to the eyes. Faults - Head clumsy or heavy; head too finely chiseled. Stop - The stop is well-defined and the bridge of the nose is straight from the stop to the tip. Fault - Insufficient stop. Muzzle of medium length; that is, the distance from the tip of the nose to the stop is equal to the distance from the stop to the occiput. The muzzle is of medium width, tapering gradually to the nose, with the tip neither pointed nor square. Faults - Muzzle either too snipy or too coarse; muzzle too short or too long. Nose: Black in black, gray, sable, or agouti dogs; liver in red dogs, black, liver or flesh-colored in white dogs. The lighter-streaked “snow nose is equally acceptable. Lips are well pigmented and close fitting. Teeth closing in a scissors bite. Fault - Any bite other than scissors.
Neck, Top line, Body: Neck medium in length, arched and carried proudly erect when dog is
standing. When moving at a trot, the neck is extended so that the head is carried slightly forward. Faults - Neck too short and thick; neck too long. Chest deep and strong, but not too broad, with the deepest point being just behind and level with the elbows. The ribs are well sprung from the spine but flattened on the sides to allow for freedom of action. Faults - Chest too broad; "barrel ribs"; ribs too flat or weak. Back - The back is straight and strong, with a level top line from withers to croup. It is of medium length, neither cobby nor slack from excessive length. The loin is taut and lean, narrower than the rib cage, and with a slight tuck-up. The croup slopes away from the spine at an angle, but never so steeply as to restrict the rearward thrust of the hind legs. Faults - Weak or slack back; roached back; sloping top line. Tail: The well furred tail of fox-brush shape is set on just below the level of the top line, and is usually carried over the back in a graceful sickle curve when the dog is at attention. When carried up, the tail does not curl to either side of the body, nor does it snap flat against the back. A trailing tail is normal for the dog when
Trimming of whiskers and fur between the toes and around the feet to present a neater
appearance is permissible. Trimming the fur on any other part of the dog is not to be condoned
and should be severely penalized. Faults - Long, rough, or shaggy coat; texture too harsh or too
silky; trimming of the coat, except as permitted above. Color, Patterns and Markings: Color, Patterns and Markings. All ranges of the allowable colors which are black, gray, agouti, sable, red, and white. May be solid colored. May have multiple shades. May have white markings. A variety of symmetrical or asymmetrical markings and patterns are common, including piebald. No preference should be given to any allowable color, marking or pattern. Merle or Brindle patterns are not allowable and are to be disqualified. Merle is defined as a marbling effect of dark patches against a lighter background of the same color and is not to be confused with a color patch of banded guard hairs amid white, as is seen in dogs with allowable piebald. Brindle is defined as darker and lighter single-colored guard hairs
producing a vertical tiger striping, not to be confused with banded guard hairs and a different color undercoat, which may produce some apparent horizontal striping. Gait: The Siberian Husky's characteristic gait is smooth and seemingly effortless. He is quick and light on his feet, and when in the show ring should be gaited on a loose lead at a moderately
Temperament: The characteristic temperament of the Siberian Husky is friendly and gentle, but
also alert and outgoing. He does not display the possessive qualities of the guard dog, nor is he
overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive with other dogs. Some measure of reserve and
dignity may be expected in the mature dog. His intelligence, tractability, and eager disposition
make him an agreeable companion and willing worker. Summary: The most important breed characteristics of the Siberian Husky are medium size, moderate bone, well balanced proportions, ease and freedom of movement, proper coat, pleasing head and ears, correct tail, and good disposition. Any appearance of excessive bone or weight, constricted or clumsy gait, or long, rough coat should be penalized. The Siberian Husky never appears so heavy or coarse as to suggest a freighting animal; nor is he so light and fragile as to suggest a sprint-racing animal. In both sexes the Siberian Husky gives the appearance of being capable of great endurance. In addition to the faults already noted, the obvious structural faults common to all breeds are as undesirable in the Siberian Husky as in any other breed, even though
they are not specifically mentioned herein.
Disqualification: Dogs over 23½ inches and bitches over 22 inches.
Merle and brindle patterns.
Approved February 9, 2021
Effective May 12, 2021
Siberian Husky, a thickly coated, compact sled dog of medium size and great endurance, was developed to work in packs, pulling light loads at moderate speeds over vast frozen expanses. Sibes are friendly, fastidious, and dignified. The graceful, medium-sized Siberian Husky's almond-shaped eyes can be either brown or blue'and sometimes one of each'and convey a keen but amiable and even mischievous expression. Quick and nimble-footed, Siberians are known for their powerful but seemingly effortless gait. Tipping the scales at no more than 60 pounds, they are noticeably smaller and lighter than their burly cousin, the Alaskan Malamute. As born pack dogs, they enjoy family life and get on well with other dogs. The Sibe's innate friendliness render them indifferent watchdogs. These are energetic dogs who can't resist chasing small animals, so secure running room is a must. An attractive feature of the breed: Sibes are naturally clean, with little doggy odor.
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Siberian Huskies are generally a healthy, relatively long-lived breed and can still be quite active into its senior years. While as in all breeds there are some health issues, such as cancer and arthritis, the majority of Siberian Huskies are healthy dogs. The incidence of hip dysplasia and eye disease is relatively low as is the incidence of two newly discovered neurologic diseases. Bred to pull a light load at a moderate pace over great distances in low temperatures on the least amount of food, they maintain a healthy weight on less food as compared to other breeds of the same size. This is an active breed and for optimum health they should be fed a high-quality protein-based food. A dog kept at optimum weight, and not overweight, lives a healthier longer life. He is by nature fastidiously clean and is free from body odor.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- Siberian Husky Shaking Puppy Syndrome Type 1 (SPS1)
- Siberian Husky Polyneuropathy Type 1 (SHPN1)
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Siberian Huskies are considered a 'natural' breed. They are remarkably self-cleaning and often need only a few baths a year, unless being shown in conformation dog shows. Weekly brushings help keep the coat and skin in good condition. Siberians have a double coat'an undercoat, and guard hair. The undercoat is shed twice a year, and it is important to continually 'rake out' the old coat, using a pin brush and metal comb. Pay close attention to the length of the nails, and keep them trimmed to prevent any foot problems. Siberians competing in conformation require a bit more selective grooming for the best presentation.
Training
All breeds benefit from early socialization, basic obedience training, and learning good manners, and the Siberian Husky is no exception. For those owners who want to work their dogs in harness, training for this requires hours of dedication and patience. There are several good books available on training for the trail that provide advice and information on getting started. The best approach is to make all training exercises fun for both dog and handler. Siberians are very social, and regularly need the company of their people or other dogs; they are not suited to being left alone all day. Most importantly, Siberians have an overwhelming desire to run, and they should be on leash or in a securely fenced-in area at all times and never allowed off lead.
Nutrition
Feeding a high-quality dog food is essential for the Siberian's healthy skin and coat. Adjustments in the level of protein in the food is required for the working Siberian, based on the level of activity. In the summer months, a lower protein level may be appropriate, around 20 percent, while a dog working in harness in wintertime may need 32 percent protein. Monitor each individual Siberian, and adjust the amount and type of food as required. Be careful not to overfeed. Monitor the weight of each dog, and be selective about supplements.
Origin: Siberia
Year Recognized: 1930
Breed History & Job Description: These dogs were originally bred in northeastern Asia by the Chukchi people and were kept as companion dogs for their families as well as endurance sled dogs. They caught the eye of the public when they began winning sled races in the early 1900s, but they made headlines in 1925 when a relay of Siberian Huskies traveled 658 miles in only 5 and half days to rush a lifesaving serum to Nome, Alaska, where an epidemic of diphtheria had broken out.
Siberian Husky
Breed Group: Working
With kind personalities, insatiable curiosity, and energy for days, the Siberian Husky is a dog that loves their family yet can’t wait to escape. If you’re bringing one of these pups into your home, keep the fences high, the temperature cool, and the vacuum nearby.
Behavior
The Siberian Husky is adventurous, clever, and stubborn. They want to be everyone's friend, which makes them a less-than-ideal watch dog. Siberian Huskies love to wander, and they’re full of energy and independence. In fact, they’re well known for being escape artists with a penchant for jumping over or tunneling under walls. These dogs are vocal too, often making interesting whoops, yowls, and talking noises.
Coat
Siberian Huskies have a dense, smooth undercoat and coarse outer coat of short, straight hair. You can find them in many color combinations, but the most common are pure white or white with black, grey, or copper-red, all with blond markings. Siberian Huskies “blow” their long hair twice a year. During those times, have a big brush and hefty vacuum on hand to control all the fur that will be flying.
Lifestyle
The Siberian Husky gets along well with other Huskies, but they need to be trained carefully to play nicely with other pets. These dogs tend to be aggressive toward cats and other foreign animals. They deal well with children and prefer to have multiple dogs (especially if they’re other Huskies) around so they don’t have to be alone. Because of their size and long coat, Siberian Huskies are not well-suited to apartments or warm climates.
Activity
The Siberian Husky was bred to pull a heavy sled for countless miles, and their intense activity needs remain today. If you can't have them pull a sled, let your Husky run alongside you as you jog or ride a bicycle, ideally for at least an hour every day. These dogs get destructive and loud if they don’t get enough exercise, so activity is a requirement, not a preference. They have a low heat tolerance though, so don’t over exercise them in warm weather.