The Siberian Husky is one of the world’s most famous dog breeds. Blessed with stunning good looks, this is a Lord among dogs. He is big, fast, athletic, and has an impressive physique.
All-Alaska Sweepstakes Winner
Siberian Huskies have won plenty of All-Alaska Sweepstakes over the years – an annual dog-sled race held in Alaska in April every year. This breed can run long distances without breaking a sweat.
Comparisons Dog Breeds
Huskies may be compared to similar working dogs or wolf-like dog breeds, such as the Alaskan Husky and the Alaskan Malamute. All of these breeds have a high prey drive and are well suited to survive in the biting cold of the Arctic region because of their thick double coat and soft undercoat.
But is this dog for you?
Siberian Huskies need owners who are firm with them and show leadership. They do not respect someone who agrees with their every whim and fancy. This is not an easy dog to live with – especially if you’re a first-time dog owner – but he is very much worth it. But you have to earn their respect. Remember that!
Also…
Could you get a Siberian Husky puppy only from reputable dog breeders? Someone you trust and not from a puppy mill.
You can read the rest of this article to learn more about the Siberian Huskies.
Siberian Husky Dog Breed
Country of Origin: Russia
Original Purpose: Sled dog
Height: 20 to 23.5 inches
Weight: 35 to 60 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Working Dog
Life Span: 12 years
Origin of the Siberian Husky
The Husky is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. And as the name suggests, the Siberian Husky Dog Breed originates in Siberia. Here in Siberia, the Husky was most likely bred by the nomadic Chukchi people, a tribe that lived in Siberia thousands of years ago.
In fact…
The Chukchi tribe used these dogs as a means of transportation; to pull their primitive sleds over the snow. The Huskies were a family dog that slept with the household’s kids, providing them warmth with its thick double coat.
The Husky Comes to the USA
The Huskies were brought to Alaska in 1908. But they were noticed in America for the first time in 1925, when they pulled sleds for hundreds of miles through the Alaskan wilderness, carrying critical life-saving medicine for people in a remote area called Nome.
Since then…
This dog has been a celebrity in America. They are regular winners of the All-Alaska Sweepstakes, a 408-mile dog sled race held in April yearly. Today there are more Siberian Huskies in Alaska and the rest of the United States than in Siberia. The Siberian Club of America was started in 1938. The Huskies were given due recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1939.
Physical Characteristics of the Siberian Husky
The Husky is a mid-sized dog, not too big, but big enough. He can rise to a height of 23.5 inches and weighs up to 60 pounds.
The first thing you notice…
About these dogs are their striking blue/brown eyes. Everything about them is beautiful. The skull is proportionate to the rest of the body, the muzzle tapers down from the tip, the nose is either gray or black, and the ears are raised right above the head.
Coat
The Husky has a thick double coat, usually black and white, copper and white, gray and white, or just white. His tail is fully covered with fur and forms a sickle curve.
Grooming
Huskies are a high-maintenance pet. They shed a lot, so you must brush their coat once weekly in the non-shedding season and once a day during the shedding season.
Temperament and Personality
Huskies have a reputation for wandering out in the wild, miles away from home when they get a chance. Escape Artists – as some people call them! But that’s just how these dogs are – they are stubborn, intelligent, and ferociously independent. They can dig underneath fences or jump over them.
Sure…
Neutering can make these dogs less likely to wander about, but you can’t be sure. Microchip the Siberian Husky Puppies and tie an ID tag to their collars.
What he is not…
He is not the dog that will follow you everywhere you go like a puppy. This brilliant dog is so intelligent that he could be almost human. And he knows it! No watchdog or guard dog, the Husky is not much of a watchdog either. He is not the sort of dog that is suspicious of strangers. He doesn’t understand the fuss and is happy to make friends, even with strangers.
That said, however…
Huskies have a strong prey drive, meaning no cat, hamster, or other small animals are safe in their presence. If you have multiple pets at home, then there may be a better dog for you. He is going to kill all of them! Not his fault; that is how nature intended him to be.
Also…
He can get bored or lonely quite quickly. When he doesn’t get enough exercise or when you forget to take him on his daily walks, he can resort to destructive habits, such as chewing the sofa cushion or destroying your favorite Nike sneakers.
Siberian Husky Health Concerns
Siberian Huskies are healthy for the most part and have a decent life expectancy of 12 years. But like all dog breeds, they’re prone to specific health concerns.
This is not to say that every Siberian Husky will get any or all of these ailments or diseases, but you should be aware of them as a dog owner.
The Husky is vulnerable to the following health issues…
- Cataracts,
- Corneal Dystrophy,
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).
And while…
Most of these conditions may not be life-threatening, but they can become quite expensive, particularly if they become recurring issues. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
I’m sorry, but my husky learns faster than me
We have a husky-mix (husky is a dominant side of him)… he is so athletic and strong that can pull an overweight person like me even when he is still a puppy. We are just first time owner that handled him, yep it’s pretty challenging.