- Breed name: Siberian Husky
- Original breed name: Siberian Husky
- AKC most popular dogs list: 23
- Classification FCI: Group V – Spitz type and primitive dog type
- Origin: Russia
- Size: Large dog
- Average life expectancy: 11 – 13 years
When you think, „a dog with sleds“, you probably think of Siberian Husky. With a good reason – Husky were famous for their amazing job of pulling a sledge. Once they even saved the whole city in Alaska – the team of fearless adventurers brought drugs for diphtheria during diseases on sledge. Their extremely thick coats allow them to withstand exceptional cold and these dogs can even change their metabolism, allowing them to go long distances without fatigue and they can use their fat supplies when there is not enough food avilable.
ORIGIN
Siberian Husky, Samoyed and Alaskan Malamut are three related breeds, direct descendants from the same „pulling sledge Nordic dog“. They belong to the oldest breed in the world. The first mention of this breed is linked to the Siberian people of Čukči, who selected the best dogs, to create a durable, fast and strong dog with good orientation, which eventually led to creation of Siberian Husky.
In 1908, the first race on sledge was held and the trail was 408 km long. The race lasted for 119 hours with the help of these dogs
The rise of popularity lasted until the 30s of the last century, when the Soviet government has banned the export of this breed. Then the breeders began crossing the first generations of the these dogs with the local village dogs of Atabaskan Indians, and so today’s Siberian Huski was created as Siberian Huski and the larger male as Alaskan Malamut.
APPEARANCE
Siberian Husky is the smallest and easiest, but still the fastest Nordic dog, resembles a wolf. It’s fast and agile, moving with a natural, elegant and light step. Males grow between 53 – 60 cm and weight of males is between 20 – 27 kg, while females are smaller, between 51 – 56 cm and around 16 – 23 kg. The chest is strong and deep, and legs are muscular. The back are straight, and the groins are rounded. The neck is of medium length, the head is a proportional to the rest of the body, wedge-shaped and slightly rounded. His skull and muzzle are quite mottled. The muzzle is medium wide and gradually narrows toward the top. The ears of a triangular shape and medium in size, highly set and erect. Paws are medium size and oval shaped. The eyes are blue or brownish or one eye is blue and the second brown, almond shaped and slightly sloping. The tail is covered with long hair. They often curl the tail over the face and nose to provide extra heat.
The fur is thick and contains two layers: thick undercoat and long straight protective hair. It effectively protect them from cold and sharp winters, but also reflects the heat in the summer. Fur can withstand the temperature of -50 to -60 ° C. The shedding is connected to the weather conditions and usually happens, 2 to 3 times a year and lasts about 10 days. Siberian Husky exists in different colors and patterns, usually with white paws and legs. The most common colors of fur are black and white, then a copper red and white, gray and white, clean white.
CHARACTER
Siberian Husky are famous for howling, they don’t bark. They often talk with their own language, the so-called Vuuu-vuuuu-vouuuum. They are the biggest talkers. They are used to living in a family environment and can be reliable with children but because of great energy that they possess they do not like to stay indoors. Husky is an intelligent dog, but that is why the owners often cannot deal with them.
The character of the dog is so strong that he will think two or three times before he does what the owner asks him. If he does not like the order, it is likely that he will not execute it. Due to great energy, it is necessary to provide the yard, although husky can live in the apartment if he is regularly walked. Since husky has a pronounced hunting drive, it is not recommended that other animals are left with him without supervision.
This breed is not suitable as a guard, especially because he does not bark, and almost always happily welcome even an unknown person. If the thief came, he would probably say hello to him happily. He has a very mild nature, likes to play with children and is not at all bitter. The husky can be successfully trained, but their training can quickly become boring for them, so it’s better to use an experienced trainer.
HEALTH AND CARE
Siberian Husky is a breed that has no frequent health diseases. Usually these are genetic type diseases such as inflammation or defect of eye, cataract, glaucoma and dystrophy of cornea. It is interesting that the do not to suffer from the hip dysplasia at all.
Fur care is very simple, it needs to be brushed with a metal comb couple times per week. He is better suited for colder weather so you need to take special care of him when the heats are great outside. He doesn’t have to be bathed very often, he cleans himself pretty well.
Statistics:
- Energy Level: Medium Energy.
- Player level: Highly playful.
- Attitude towards other dogs: Friendly.
- Relationship to other pets: Friendly.
- Relationship to unknown people: Very friendly.
- Ease of training: middle level.
- Protection: Not very protective.
- Maintenance required: Moderate maintenance.
- Cold tolerance: Great tolerance.
- Heat tolerance: small tolerance.
Read also: