Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky loves life. Happy and affectionate, he’s a working dog but not a guard dog. His dense double coat makes him well-suited for cold climates, where he can’t get enough of frolicking in the snow.
Not every breed made its American debut with as big a splash as the Siberian Husky. A team of these lean, fast sled dogs, originally developed by the seminomadic Chukchi people of Northeastern Asia to pull sleds over long distances, proved just what they were made of while racing across the frozen Alaskan wilderness to deliver life-saving diphtheria serum to remote Nome, Alaska, in January 1925. Some of the dogs were taken on a tour of the Lower 48 after news of the courageous men and dogs spread, and they were met with wild acclaim. From that day on, the Siberian has been popular.
For those looking for a calm dog to settle with on the couch in the evenings and maybe enjoy a short stroll around the block a few times a week, the Siberian Husky isn’t a match. The same goes for those looking for a devoted companion who lives to please and hangs on his owner’s every word.
But for people who want a dog to be a partner and friend, who will love children, greet guests, and get along with other dogs — and most importantly, for those ready and willing to provide consistent leadership and plenty of vigorous exercise every day — then a Siberian Husky will be a joy.
Although they usually get along well with other dogs, Siberians have a strong predatory streak and may consider small animals, including cats, prey. Those with multispecies households need to be extremely cautious with this breed.
As should be expected from a breed developed for snow country, the Siberian sheds year-round, but more so in spring and fall. On the upside, his short, thick coat requires little care, and frequent brushing will curb the shedding.
Siberians are not usually barkers, although they’ll often howl, especially to a siren. They are adept escape artists and have been known to climb over and dig under some pretty serious fences. Neutering may lessen the sense of wanderlust, but don’t count on it: Siberians should be microchipped and have an ID tag on their collars at all times if you want to help ensure their safe return after an escape.
Although working Siberians often live happily in kennel situations because they get lots of exercise, relegating a Siberian to the backyard isn’t a great idea. He’ll easily become lonely and bored, and that means he’ll become destructive. Siberians are world-class diggers when they’re not jumping fences and wandering for miles.
Finally, if you are looking for a dog who focuses only on you or will protect your home, choose a different breed. Siberians do not grasp the concept of strangers and may instead greet all with enthusiasm. A Siberian does not a good watchdog make.
Other Quick Facts
Siberians can have blue eyes, brown eyes, eyes that are a little of both, or one of each color. There is no relationship between eye color and eye disease in this breed.
The Siberian’s passions include digging and running. These are not behaviors that can be trained away.
The Siberian has a strong prey drive and probably isn't the greatest roommate for cats and other small mammals.
The History of the Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is not a dog-wolf hybrid. The original dog was developed about half a million years ago by the Chukchi people in Siberia. He was a working dog who pulled heavy sleds over long distances. The Chukchi tribe lived inland and had to travel to the sea to hunt. They needed a way to get a full sled of walrus meat back home. A sledding dog was just the answer. The Chukchi women took care of the dogs, so the dogs were always around children.
In the early 1900s, the dogs were brought to Alaska to compete in long-distance races, notably the All-Alaska Sweepstakes. Known as Siberians after their homeland, they gained fame for their sledding capabilities and began to be used to deliver mail as well as race.
The Siberian Husky’s greatest feat came in 1925 when people in Nome, Alaska, suffered a diphtheria epidemic in the middle of winter. Antitoxin was needed desperately. A long-range relay of about 20 mushers brought the antitoxin from Anchorage to Nome in six days, nearly 700 miles in temperatures that hovered around 40 degrees below zero. The run brought fame to the breed.
Siberian Huskies were used on the Byrd Antarctic Expeditions, as well as in the U.S. Army’s arctic search-and-rescue efforts during World War II. Many Siberian Huskies were assembled and trained at Chinook Kennels in New Hampshire for use on the Byrd Antarctic Expedition beginning in 1928. Siberians also performed gallantly in the Army during World War II as part of the Air Transport Command’s Arctic Search and Rescue Unit.
Today the Siberian is still famous as a great sled dog who can win races, but he’s also a terrific family pet and companion. He ranks 18th among the breeds registered by the American Kennel Club.
Siberian Husky Temperament and Personality
The Siberian Husky is not a one-person dog. Nor is he a guard dog. He might let you know someone is around, but he has no concept of protecting you. The Siberian is a friendly and gentle dog who is not overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive toward other dogs. Among the qualities that make him a wonderful companion are his intelligence, eagerness, and sense of humor. This is a dog who will never let you take life too seriously.
If you plan to live with a Siberian, it’s a good idea to reorder the way you think about events. For instance, though you may think your Siberian is indulging in destructive behavior, he is simply acting on centuries of instinct. He doesn’t dig to be annoying, he digs for shelter and a place to hide and bury things. Or he might be going after a critter. In the tundra, that’s how you find a meal. If you are determined to have both a Siberian and nice landscaping, be sure to train him right from the start that he has one place in the yard to dig; otherwise it’s possible you could look outside one day and see a lunar landscape.
The Siberian doesn’t need a lot of space to live in, but he does need adequate exercise. He will enjoy having a place where he can run safely, and (health permitting) he’s a great companion for anyone who likes to take long walks, runs, or hikes. You can also harness his natural abilities and teach him to pull a sled, wagon, or cart. In a Siberian’s ideal world, you will learn to snowshoe and skijor and let him shoot through snow while pulling a sled. However, its always a good idea to check with your vet before starting any new exercise program with your dog.
Training? Well, some Siberians learn to perform well in such activities as obedience. Others pop out of the ring to share someone’s popcorn. The phrase “obedient Siberian Husky” is something of an oxymoron. Taking a laissez-faire and easily amused attitude makes training a Siberian much more enjoyable.
Curiosity combined with a love of running and exploring is a Siberian’s besetting sin. The original Houdini Hound, he can work a small hole until he’s out. And when he runs free, he can run far. If he stays outside in a kennel while you’re at work, inspect it regularly for possible escape points.
He’s not a big barker. Instead, the Siberian makes his own music. He will whine or moan, and when he feels like it, he will hold his head high and release his Siberian howl. There’s no other sound like it.
As a long-time nomad, he adapts easily to new situations. He won’t have any problems when you move to a new house other than figuring out where he can escape from it. And to him, that’s not a problem, but a complex intellectual task to be achieved.
What You Need To Know About Siberian Husky Health
All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. Run, don’t walk, from any breeder who does not offer a health guarantee on her puppies, who tells you that the breed is 100 percent healthy and has no known problems, or who tells you that her puppies are isolated from the main part of the household for health reasons. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur in her lines.
The Siberian is generally healthy as a breed, but there are some concerns to be aware of. Possible inherited diseases include hip dysplasia, an orthopedic condition in which the head of the thigh bone doesn’t fit properly into the hip socket. Mild cases result in arthritis that may be manageable with medications and other therapies. More severe cases require surgery. Hip dysplasia is a terrible situation for a dog who loves to run and pull sleds.
Siberians can also be affected by eye problems including juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy. Juvenile cataracts typically start forming before the dog is 2 years old. Cataracts are an opacity that forms in the lens and either clouds or blocks vision. Surgery can correct the problem. However, if the cataract isn’t causing pain or other medical issues, understand that most dogs, including Siberians, get around just fine when they’re blind. Corneal dystrophy involves a difference type of opacity, this time one that clouds the cornea, as opposed to cataracts that cloud the lens. Typically both eyes are affected. A Siberian can become blind depending on how much of the cornea is clouded. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is an inherited disease of the retina that eventually leads to blindness.
Not all of these conditions are detectable in a growing puppy, and it can be hard to predict whether an animal will be free of these maladies, which is why you must find a reputable breeder who is committed to breeding the healthiest animals possible. They should be able to produce independent certification that the parents of the dog (and grandparents, etc.) have been screened for these defects and deemed healthy for breeding. That’s where health registries come in.
The Siberian Husky Club of America participates in the Canine Health Information Center, a health database. To obtain a CHIC number for a Siberian, the breeder must submit hip evaluations from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) or Universityof Pennsylvania (PennHIP), and an eye clearance from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) or the Siberian Husky Ophthalmic Registry.
Breeders must agree to have all test results, positive or negative, published in the CHIC database. A dog need not receive good or even passing scores on the evaluations to obtain a CHIC number, so CHIC registration alone is not proof of soundness or absence of disease, but all test results are posted on the CHIC website and can be accessed by anyone who wants to check the health of a puppy’s parents.
If the breeder tells you she doesn’t need to do those tests because she’s never had problems in her lines, her dogs have been vet checked, or any of the other excuses bad breeders have for skimping on the genetic testing of their dogs, walk away immediately.
Careful breeders screen their breeding dogs for genetic disease and breed only the healthiest and best-looking specimens, but sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas and a puppy develops one of these diseases despite good breeding practices. Advances in veterinary medicine mean that in most cases the dogs can still live good lives. If you’re getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the ages of the dogs in her lines and what they died of.
Remember that after you’ve taken a new puppy into your home, you have the power to protect him from one of the more common health problems: obesity. Keeping a Siberian at an appropriate weight is one of the easier ways to extend his life. Make the most of diet and exercise to help ensure a healthier dog for life.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_Husky
No activity yet.
Related Communities
Affenpinscher
Afghan Hound
Aidi
Airedale Terrier
Akbash
Akita Inu
Alano Español
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
Alaskan Klee Kai
Alaskan Malamute
Alpine Dachsbracke
American Akita
American Alsatian
American Bulldog
American Bully
American Eskimo
American Foxhound
American Hairless Terrier
American Mastiff
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Anatolian Shepherd
Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie
Antebellum Bulldog
Appenzeller Sennenhund
Ariege Pointer
Ariegeois
Armant
Armenian Gampr
Artois Hound
Australian Bulldog
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Kelpie
Australian Shepherd
Australian Silky Terrier
Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
Australian Terrier
Austrian Black and Tan Hound
Austrian Pinscher
Azawakh
Bakharwal
Barbet
Basenji
Basque Shepherd
Basset Artésien Normand
Basset Bleu de Gascogne
Basset Fauve de Bretagne
Basset Hound
Bavarian Mountain Hound
Beagle
Beagle-Harrier
Bearded Collie
Beauceron
Bedlington Terrier
Belgian Sheepdog
Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael)
Belgian Shepherd (Laekenois)
Belgian Shepherd (Malinois)
Belgian Shepherd (Tervuren)
Bergamasco Shepherd
Berger Picard
Berner Laufhund
Bernese Mountain
Bichon Frisé
Billy
Bisben
Black and Tan Coonhound
Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound
Black Norwegian Elkhound
Black Russian Terrier
Blackmouth Cur
Bloodhound
Blue Lacy
Bluetick Coonhound
Boerboel
Bohemian Shepherd
Bolognese
Border Collie
Border Terrier
Borzoi
Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound
Boston Terrier
Bouvier des Ardennes
Bouvier des Flandres
Boxer
Boykin Spaniel
Bracco Italiano
Braque d'Auvergne
Braque du Bourbonnais
Braque du Puy
Braque Francais
Braque Saint-Germain
Brazilian Terrier
Briard
Briquet Griffon Vendéen
Brittany
Broholmer
Bruno Jura Hound
Bucovina Shepherd
Bull Terrier
Bull Terrier (Miniature)
Bulldog
Bulldog Campeiro
Bullmastiff
Bully Kutta
Cairn Terrier
Canaan
Canadian Eskimo
Cane Corso
Cão da Serra de Aires
Cão de Castro Laboreiro
Cão Fila de São Miguel
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Carolina
Carpathian Shepherd
Catahoula Cur
Catalan Sheepdog
Caucasian Shepherd
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Central Asian Shepherd
Cesky Fousek
Cesky Terrier
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chien Français Blanc et Noir
Chien Français Blanc et Orange
Chien Français Tricolore
Chihuahua
Chilean Fox Terrier
Chinese Chongqing
Chinese Crested
Chinese Imperial
Chinook
Chippiparai
Chow Chow
Cierny Sery
Cimarrón Uruguayo
Cirneco dell'Etna
Clumber Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
Collie
Combai
Coton de Tulear
Coydog
Cretan Hound
Croatian Sheepdog
Curly Coated Retriever
Cursinu
Czechoslovak Wolfdog
Dachshund
Dalmatian
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Danish Swedish Farmdog
Deutsche Bracke
Doberman Pinscher
Dogo Argentino
Dogo Guatemalteco
Dogo Sardesco
Dogue de Bordeaux
Drentse Patrijshond
Drever
Dunker
Dutch Shepherd
Dutch Smoushond
East Siberian Laika
East-European Shepherd
Elo
English Coonhound
English Foxhound
English Mastiff
English Setter
English Shepherd
English Springer Spaniel
English Toy Spaniel
English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Épagneul Bleu de Picardie
Estonian Hound
Estrela Mountain
Eurasier
Field Spaniel
Fila Brasileiro
Finnish Hound
Finnish Lapphund
Finnish Spitz
Flat Coated Retriever
Formosan Mountain Dog
Fox Terrier (Smooth)
Fox Terrier (Wire)
French Brittany
French Bulldog
French Spaniel
Galgo Espanol
Gascon Saintongeois
German Longhaired Pointer
German Pinscher
German Shepherd
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Spaniel
German Spitz
German Wirehaired Pointer
Giant Schnauzer
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Gran Mastín de Borínquen
Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Noir
Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore
Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
Grand Bleu de Gascogne
Grand Griffon Vendéen
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Greek Harehound
Greenland
Greyhound
Griffon Bleu de Gascogne
Griffon Bruxellois
Griffon Fauve de Bretagne
Griffon Nivernais
Gull Dong
Gull Terr
Hamiltonstövare
Hanover Hound
Harrier
Havanese
Himalayan Sheepdog
Hokkaido
Hortaya Borzaya
Hovawart
Hungarian Hound
Hygenhund
Ibizan Hound
Icelandic Sheepdog
Indian Spitz
Irish Red and White Setter
Irish Setter
Irish Terrier
Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Wolfhound
Istrian Coarse-haired Hound
Istrian Shorthaired Hound
Italian Greyhound
Jack Russell Terrier
Jagdterrier
Jämthund
Japanese Chin
Japanese Spitz
Japanese Terrier
Jonangi
Kai Ken
Kaikadi
Kangal
Kanni
Karakachan
Karelian Bear Dog
Karst Shepherd
Keeshond
Kerry Beagle
Kerry Blue Terrier
King Charles Spaniel
King Shepherd
Kintamani
Kishu
Komondor
Kooikerhondje
Koolie
Korean Jindo
Korean Mastiff
Kromfohrländer
Kunming Wolfdog
Kuvasz
Kyi-Leo
Labrador Husky
Labrador Retriever
Lagotto Romagnolo
Lakeland Terrier
Lancashire Heeler
Landseer
Lapponian Herder
Large Münsterländer
Leonberger
Lhasa Apso
Lithuanian Hound
Longhaired Whippet
Löwchen
Magyar Agár
Maltese
Manchester Terrier
Maremma Sheepdog
McNab
Mexican Hairless
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Miniature Fox Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Schnauzer
Mioritic
Montenegrin Mountain Hound
Moscow Watchdog
Mountain Cur
Mountain View Cur
Mucuchies
Mudhol Hound
Mudi
Murray River Curly Coated Retriever
Native American Indian Dog
Neapolitan Mastiff
New Zealand Huntaway
Newfoundland
Norfolk Terrier
Norrbottenspets
Northern Inuit
Norwegian Buhund
Norwegian Elkhound
Norwegian Lundehund
Norwich Terrier
Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever
Old Danish Pointer
Old English Sheepdog
Old English Terrier
Old German Shepherd
Old Time Farm Shepherd
Olde English Bulldogge
Otterhound
Pachon Navarro
Papillon
Parson Russell Terrier
Patterdale Terrier
Pekingese
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Perro de Presa Canario
Perro de Presa Mallorquin
Peruvian Hairless
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Petit Bleu de Gascogne
Phalène
Pharaoh Hound
Phu Quoc ridgeback
Picardy Spaniel
Pit Bull Terrier
Plott Hound
Podenco Canario
Pointer
Polish Greyhound
Polish Hound
Polish Hunting
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Polish Tatra Sheepdog
Pomeranian
Pont-Audemer Spaniel
Poodle
Porcelaine
Portuguese Podengo
Portuguese Pointer
Portuguese Water Dog
Posavac Hound
Pražský Krysarík
Pudelpointer
Pug
Puli
Pumi
Pungsan
Pyrenean Mastiff
Pyrenean Shepherd
Rafeiro do Alentejo
Rajapalayam
Rampur Greyhound
Rat Terrier
Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz
Redbone Coonhound
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Rough Collie
Russian Spaniel
Russian Toy
Russo-European Laika
Saarlooswolfhond
Sabueso Español
Saint Bernard
Saint-Usuge Spaniel
Sakhalin Husky
Saluki
Samoyed
Sapsali
Sarplaninac
Schapendoes
Schillerstövare
Schipperke
Schnauzer
Schweizer Laufhund
Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund
Scotch Collie
Scottish Deerhound
Scottish Terrier
Sealyham Terrier
Segugio Italiano
Seppala Siberian Sleddog
Serbian Hound
Serbian Tricolour Hound
Shar Pei
Shetland Sheepdog
Shiba Inu
Shih Tzu
Shikoku
Shiloh Shepherd
Silken Windhound
Silky Terrier
Sinhala Hound
Skye Terrier
Sloughi
Slovak Cuvac
Slovakian Rough-haired Pointer
Slovenský Kopov
Smålandsstövare
Small Greek Domestic
Small Münsterländer
Smooth Collie
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
South Russian Ovcharka
Spanish Mastiff
Spanish Water Dog
Spinone Italiano
Sporting Lucas Terrier
Stabyhoun
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Standard Schnauzer
Stephens Cur
Styrian Coarse-haired Hound
Sussex Spaniel
Swedish Lapphund
Swedish Vallhund
Taigan
Tamaskan
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
Telomian
Tennessee Treeing Brindle
Tenterfield Terrier
Thai Bangkaew
Thai Ridgeback
Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Spaniel
Tibetan Terrier
Tornjak
Tosa
Toy Fox Terrier
Toy Manchester Terrier
Transylvanian Hound
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Trigg Hound
Tyrolean Hound
Utonagan
Vizsla
Volpino Italiano
Weimaraner
Welsh Sheepdog
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Welsh Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
West Siberian Laika
Westphalian Dachsbracke
Wetterhoun
Whippet
White English Bulldog
White Shepherd
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Wirehaired Vizsla
Yorkshire Terrier