Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is perhaps the most friendly of all Arctic Spitz breeds. It has a long history of friendship with man, combining the roles of household companion with workmate, hauling the sled or herding. It is faithful and reliable.

The Siberian Husky is a dog with great powers 01 speed and endurance. It was bred to hunt and haul sleds in northeastern Asia as well as to provide intelligent and reliable companionship. It is now famed lor sled racing, popular in North America

Origin and history

The Siberian Husky was bred by the nomadic Chukchi tribes of northeastern Asia. Their purpose in breeding the Husky from other local dogs was to produce a hardy animal of great endurance that would combine the roles of companion and hunter with that of a speedy sled dog that, at times, would be their only means of transport.

More recently, the Siberian Husky has been recognized as a show dog. It performed creditably as a search-and-rescue dog for the United States Air Force in World War II and has popularized the sport of sled racing in the USA and elsewhere in the world.

Siberian Husky Puppies

Good points

Adaptable
Friendly
Good with children
Intelligent
Reliable

Take heed

Needs lots of exercise

Size

Height at the withers: dog 21-23V2in (53-60cm); bitch 20-22in (51-56cm). Weight dog 45-601b (20.5-27.2kg); bitch 35-501b (15.9-22.7kg). Weight should be in proportion to height.

Exercise

Famed for sled racing, remarkable endurance and great powers of speed, this is not a dog to keep confined in a small yard.

Siberian Husky Information

General appearance

A mediumsized working sled dog; quick and light on its feet, free and graceful in action with a moderately compact and well-furred body, erect ears and brush tail.

The characteristic gait is smooth and seemingly effortless. Its body proportions and forms reflect a basic balance of power, speed and endurance. It should never appear heavy and coarse, nor light and fragileThe male should be masculine but never coarse; the bitches should appear feminine but without weakness ot structure. Both sexes should be capable of great endurance. In proper condition, with firm and well-developed muscle, the Siberian Husky does not carry excess weight.

Any appearance of excessive bone or weight; constricted or clumsy gait; straight or loose shoulders; weak pasterns; weak, sloping or roach back; straight stifles; feet soft and splayed,too large and clumsy, or too small and delicate, is undesirable.

Colour

All colours, including white, are allowed, and all markings. A variety of markings on the head is common, including many striking patterns not found in other breeds.

Head and skull

The head should be of medium size and in proportion to the body, neither clumsy nor too fine. It should be slightly rounded on top, tapering gradually from the widest point to the eyes. The muzzle should be of medium length and width, neither snipy nor coarse, and taper gradually to the rounded nose. The distance from the tip of the nose to the stop should be equal to the distance from the stop to the occiput. The stop should be clearly defined but not excessive, and the line of the nose straight from the stop to the tip. The nose should be black in grey, tan or black dogs; liver in copper dogs; and may be flesh-coloured in pure white dogs. In winter a pink-streaked 'snow nose' is acceptable.

Tail

The well-furred tail of round fox-brush shape should be set on just below the level of the top line, and should usually be carried over the back in a graceful sickle curve when the dog is at attention. When carried up, the tail should not curl too tightly, nor should it curl to either side of the body or snap flat against the back. The hair on the tail should be of medium length and approximately the same length all round. A trailing tail is normal for the dog when it is either working or in repose.

Siberian Husky Feeding & Grooming

Grooming

Regular brushing will keep the coat in good condition.

Feeding

Recommended would be 20-330z (587-936g) of a branded, meaty product with a handful of biscuit added, or 3-5 cupfuls of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to 112 cup of hot or cold water.