Siberian Husky

avatar Christy McDowell, LVT, VTS (ECC)

Height20 - 23"

Weight35 - 60 lbs

TypeWorking

Life Expectancy12 - 14 years

Area of OriginSiberia

Energy Level

Playfulness

Friendliness to dogs

Friendliness to strangers

exercise requirements

affection level

friendliness to other pets

watchfulness

Grooming Requirements

Vocality

The Siberian Husky is a working breed from Northeast Asia. They are pack dogs that love spending time with housemates and family. Adaptable to both city and country life, this breed is the perfect companion for an active lifestyle. The Siberian Husky has wild and beautiful markings, as well as several hilarious personality quirks. They are known for "singing" and "howling" instead of barking. Colder weather suits them best, and you can often find a Husky lounging underneath a pile of snow. Huskies are curious and notorious escape artists, as they can scale a 6 foot tall fence with ease!

Energy Level

Playfulness

Friendliness to dogs

Friendliness to strangers

exercise requirements

affection level

friendliness to other pets

watchfulness

Grooming Requirements

Vocality

Where Are Siberian Huskies From?

The Siberian Husky was developed centuries ago by the Chukchi people, who used the breed to transport goods and act as companion animals. Due to a climate change in their homeland, the Chukchi expanded their hunting territories, which precipitated a change in the Siberian breed. They evolved to excel at pulling sleds over very long distances without tiring.

The Siberian was first seen in Alaska in 1909, where a team competed in the All Alaska Sweepstakes Race. The breed was noted for their strength and unparalleled endurance, showing great success as working dogs in search and rescue endeavors and as sled dogs.

Where Are Siberian Huskies From?

Care

What Kind of Diet Does a Siberian Husky Need?

The Siberian requires a nutrient-rich diet to ensure a healthy coat and benefit their active lifestyle.

How Much Grooming Does a Siberian Husky Need?

Siberians are very easy to maintain, requiring few baths and occasional brushing to keep the coat and skin healthy. They shed their undercoats twice a year, which necessitates a thorough raking to remove the dead hair.

An important note about grooming: make sure that your Husky is completely dry after bathing, as a damp undercoat can develop hot spots.

Are Siberian Huskies Healthy Dogs?

Siberian Huskies are relatively healthy. The most notable concerns are juvenile cataracts and other eye issues, making an annual screening by an ophthalmologist ideal. The Husky lifespan ranges from 12 – 14 years.

Huskies are predisposed to: gastric dilatation volvulus, juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy, entropion, progressive retinal atrophy, pannus, laryngeal paralysis, degenerative myelopathy, hypertension, zinc responsive dermatosis, and perianal gland adenoma.

How Much Grooming Does a Siberian Husky Need?

An important note about grooming: make sure that your Husky is completely dry after bathing, as a damp undercoat can develop hot spots.

Are Siberian Huskies Healthy Dogs?

Caring for a Siberian Husky

What Kind of Diet Does a Siberian Husky Need?

How Much Grooming Does a Siberian Husky Need?

Are Siberian Huskies Healthy Dogs?

Do You Need to Train a Siberian Husky?

How Much Exercise Does a Husky Need?

What Kind of Diet Does a Siberian Husky Need?

The Siberian requires a nutrient-rich diet to ensure a healthy coat and benefit their active lifestyle.

What Are the Physical Characteristics of a Siberian Husky?

The average height of a Husky is 21 – 23″ for males and 20 – 22″ for females. They generally weigh 35 – 60 pounds. They are medium-sized, strong, and agile. They have a friendly and mischievous expression.

Husky eyes are almond shaped, and can come in brown, blue, or one of each color. Parti-colored eyes have patches of both blue and brown. The ears are of moderate size, erect, and triangular, despite having rounded tips. The head is proportionate to the body and slightly rounded.

The body of the Siberian is fairly compact and strong, but not bulky. Their chests are deep, but not very wide, and the back is straight from the shoulders to the rump.

Husky tails are furry and curled over the back when alert.

Forelimbs are straight, and elbows are held close to the chest. The feet are oval shaped, but compact, with furry toes and thick pads to protect against cold and dangerous terrain.

Siberian Huskies have a double coat that is moderate in length. The outer coat is smooth and lies flat against the body. The undercoat is thick to protect against harsh climes. Their colors range from white to black with any number of marking patterns.

The hindlimbs are powerful, muscular, and straight when viewed from behind. Any dewclaws on the hind feet are typically removed.

Siberian Husky Facts

1

During a diphtheria epidemic in 1925, Siberian Huskies led "serum runs" to bring medication to small towns in Alaska.

2

Siberian Huskies served during World War II in the Search and Rescue unit of the U.S. Army.

3

The Siberian's name was nearly changed to the Chukchi Indian Dog in the 1990s.

Other Breeds to Explore

Alaskan Malamute

Choosing an American Eskimo

Choosing a Finnish Spitz

References

American Kennel Club. The Complete Dog Book. Random House Digital, Inc., 2006.
Morris, Desmond. Dogs: The Ultimate Dictionary of Over 1,000 Dog Breeds. Trafalgar Square, 2002.
Wilcox, Bonnie and Chris Walkowicz. The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World. T.F.H Publications, Inc., 1995.