Siberian
Huskies are strong, compact, working dogs.
The Siberian Husky comes in all colors from
black to pure white are allowed. A variety
of markings on the head is common, including
many striking patterns not found in other
breeds. Color choices include Black and
White, which ranges from light (dilute)
to dark (jet), Red and White, which ranges
from light (peach or orange) to dark (chocolate
or brown), Gray and White, which ranges
from light (silver) to dark (wolf-gray),
Sable and White (which is red-orange with
black tips), Agouti and White (which is
sometimes referred to as the coyote color
and contains a lot of dark gray coat), and
White (not to be confused with a Samoyed).
Different coat markings are all accepted,
the most notable being a pie-bald. These
coat markings are similar to that of a pinto
horse. The face mask and underbody are usually
white, and the remaining coat any color.
The eyes are almond shaped, moderately spaced
and set a trifle obliquely. It is a common
misconception that all Siberians have blue
eyes. They can have eyes that are blue,
brown, amber, or any combination thereof
including eyes which are half blue and half
brown, which is referred to as being parti-eyed.
Having one blue eye and one brown eye is
referred to as being bi-eyed. The large
"snow shoe" feet have hair between the toes
for gripping on ice. Its ears are set high
and erect, with a sickle shaped tail. The
Siberian Husky has a thick, wooly undercoat
and a soft outer coat. It is able to withstand
temperatures as low as -58 degrees to -76
degrees F ( -50 degrees to -60 degrees C).
Temperament
These
dogs are gentle and playful, but willful
and mischievous. This cheerful dog is very
fond of his or her family. A puppy at heart,
they are clever, sociable and loving, easy-going
and docile. Though they do generally have
a lot of energy, especially as puppies.
Good with children and friendly with strangers,
they are not watchdogs, for they bark little
and love everyone. Huskies are very
intelligent and trainable, but they have
a mind of their own and will only obey a
command if they see the point. Training
takes patience, consistency and an understanding
of the Arctic dog character. This dog will
take advantage if he can. Huskies make an
excellent jogging companion, as long as
it is not too hot. Huskies may be difficult
to housebreak. This breed likes to howl
and gets bored easily. They do not like
to be left alone, so if this is the breed
for you, you may want to consider having
two. A lonely Husky can be very destructive.
Remember that the Husky is a sled
dog in heart and soul. They are good with
other pets if they are raised with them
from puppyhood. Huskies are thrifty eaters
and need less food than you might expect.
This breed likes to roam. Siberian Huskies
can make wonderful companions for people
who are aware of what to expect from these
beautiful and intelligent animals. Although
there are 'exceptions to every rule', there
are a number of breed characteristics that
are generally present among members of this
arctic breed. This is not meant to be a
comprehensive list, as even the top breeders
in the country will tell you that they learn
something new about their dogs every day!
Huskies
are relatively free of breed-specific problems,
apart from hip dysplasia and occasional
eye problems (such as juvenile cataracts,
PRA (eyes) primarily in male dogs, corneal
dystrophy, crystalline corneal opacities
and ectopy (displacement) of the urethra).
Also, they sometimes have zinc responsive
dermatitis (a skin condition which improves
by giving a zinc supplements). Breeders
can get hip screenings from the OFA and
eye screenings yearly from a canine opthamologist
(AVCO) and register the exam through CERF
and SHOR)... I can provide more information
if you'd like.
Living
Conditions
They
are not usually recommended for apartments,
however they can live in apartments if well
trained and properly exercised. Siberian
Huskies are very active indoors and do best
with a fenced-in large yard. Because of
their heavy coats, these dogs prefer cool
climates. One has to use common sense with
respect to maintaining them in the heat
by providing adequate shade and air conditioning.
This breed prefers to live in packs.
Exercise
Siberian
Huskies need a fair amount of exercise,
including a daily walk or jog, but should
not be excessively exercised in warm weather.
They need a large yard with a high fence,
but bury the wire at the base of the fence
because they are likely to dig their way
out and go off hunting.
Life
Expectancy
About
12-15 years.
Grooming
The
coat does not need much care except during
the twice a year heavy shedding season,
when they have to be combed thoroughly with
a metal comb.
Origin
Native
to Siberia, the Husky was brought to Alaska
in 1909. They were used for centuries by
the Chukchi people in Siberia to pull sleds,
herd reindeer and perform watchdogging functions.
They were perfect working dogs for the harsh
Siberian conditions: hardy, able to integrate
into small packs, and quite happy to work
for hours on end. The Siberian Husky is
a very light-weight sled dog with great
stamina. It was brought to North America
by fur traders in Malamute for arctic races
because of their great speed. In 1925 there
was a diphtheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska
and many dog teams relayed the precious
medicine to the stricken city. This event
focused national attention on the Siberian
Husky and helped popularize the breed. The
Siberian Husky was also used during Admiral
Byrd's Antarctic Expeditions. An excellent
pack animal, the Husky gets along well with
his comrades. Siberian Huskies have now
become very popular as a companion dog,
but they are also used for sledding, carting
and racing.
