Is the Siberian Husky right for you?
- 1The Siberian Husky is a cold-weather dog if there ever was one.
- 2Their thick, double coat of fur is highly insulated and needs some serious brushing.
- 3The Siberian Husky has amazing endurance and can work all day and enjoys exercise.
HISTORY
The Siberian Husky was first used to pull the sleds of Siberian natives, the Chukchi. Brought to Alaska in 1909 for long-distance sled races like the Iditarod, this breed quickly found a niche in the dog-sled community, forever immortalized by the famed actions of Balto, the sled-pulling husky that saved an entire Alaskan town from the diphtheria epidemic. They were first approved by the AKC in 1930.
Quick Facts
Size
Large
Lifespan
11-13 years
Hair Length
Long
Male Height
21 to 23.5 inches at the shoulder
Male Weight
35 to 60 lbs
Female Height
20 to 22 inches at the shoulder
Female Weight
35 to 50 lbs
Litter Size
6-8 puppies
Personality
Siberian Huskies are a kind, gentle, independent dog that are smart and easily trainable. Having seemingly boundless reserves of energy, this is a dog that requires an active family in order to be happy and well adjusted. They are great with kids and strangers, making them less than ideal guard dogs. In order to train a Husky, you need to maintain a firm and consistent stance, never giving them the room to think that they might even, in part, run the show. Otherwise, they may think they are the alpha and become overprotective and destructive..
Color
The Siberian Husky can be black and white, jet black, silver (dilute) black and reddish black, grey, wolf grey, silver, sable, copper, or chocolate copper.
Appearance
A medium-sized breed, the Siberian Husky is a strong, densely built, working dog that excels in cold weather. They stand about 20 inches at the shoulder and weigh roughly 55 pounds. They have large, spread out paws that help them traverse snowy landscapes, and their thick double coat can withstand temperatures as low as -78 F. Normally medium in length, there is the occasional long haired, or "wooly" Husky.