The Siberian Husky has been described as a behavioral representative of the domestic dog's forebearer, the wolf, exhibiting a wide range of its ancestors' behavior. They are known to howl, sing and talk rather than bark. Hyperactivity, which is demonstrated by an overactive hunting drive, a characteristic of kenneled dogs, is often noticeable in dogs released from their captive environment for exercise - a behavior welcome in hunting dogs but not necessarily in the family pet.
Temperament
As a working breed, Siberian Huskies are a high-energy canine requiring quite a bit of exercise. They have served as companions and sled dogs, but they are not suitable as a guard dog. Over time, this combination of factors has lent the Siberian Husky a strong sense of gentleness and devotion.
Siberian Huskies are a very stubborn and dominant breed of dog. Siberians need consistent - and persistent - training and do well with a training program where they are rewarded only if they perform the desired task. They are extremely intelligent and after learning a new skill will often decide when to show off this skill when asked to perform it.
The Siberian makes a fine family pet as long as the buyer is patient, has the time to devote to training and exercise, and can deal with a dog that has a mind of its own. Although they don't bark much, Siberians are vocal - they'll sing along with sirens and scream as if being killed if forced to do something they don't want to do. All-breed obedience classes can be a treat if a Siberian is present: a simple "down" command can bring howls of protest even under the most gentle guidance, and a mild correction for nipping can elicit torturous shrieks. This is not the breed for a first-time dog owner who is shy or easily embarrassed in public.
Formal Breed Standard
History and Origins
The Siberian Husky, Samoyed, and Alaskan Malamute are all breeds directly descended from the original "sled dog." Recent DNA analysis confirms that this is one of the oldest breeds of dog as can be seen with the Alaskan Malamute.
In this breed of canine, the word "husky" is a corruption of the derogative term "Eskie" which was also shared by the Inuit tribes discovered by Caucasians who made early expeditions into their lands. The word "Siberian" in this breed's name is derived from Siberia itself, because it is thought that Eskimo or sled dogs were used to cross the land bridge of the Bering Straight on the way into, or out of, Alaska[8], though this theory is continuously disputed by scholars.[18] Breeds descending from the Eskimo dog were once found throughout the Northern Hemisphere from Siberia to Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Labrador, and Baffin Island.
With the help of Siberian Huskies, entire tribes of peoples were able to not only survive, but push forth into terra incognita. Admiral Robert Peary of the United States Navy was aided by this breed during his expeditions in search of the North Pole. The Siberian Husky's role in this feat cannot be over estimated.
The Siberian Husky's ancestor was developed by the Chukchi, a tribe of native people in the eastern Siberian Arctic, a continent away from the Samoyed people who created their own working breed for the cold, harsh climate in which they lived. The Siberian's thick, luxurious double coat, pleasant personality, and love of action make him well-suited for the climate of deep, penetrating cold and perpetual night of Arctic winters and for his labor as draft dog, guardian, and family companion.
A thousand years ago, the Chukchi carved their villages out of northern Siberia's stark, inhospitable terrain. Starvation and freezing to death were always possibilities; hunters left the villages to travel to the Arctic Coast, searching for seals for meat, skins, and blubber to fuel their life-saving fires. They needed tough, resilient, and swift dogs to pull the kills back to the village, no matter the weather, and so developed the progenitor of today's Siberian Husky, eventually producing a medium-sized dog that could work in a team, pull moderate loads, and complete the job with minimum energy expense
Size & Weight
Height: Dogs 21-23½ inches (53-60cm.) Bitches 20-22 inches (51-56cm.)
Weight: Dogs 45-60 pounds (20½-27kg.) Bitches 35-50 pounds (16-22½kg.)
Grooming Requirements
The coat does not need much care except during the twice a year heavy shedding season, when they have to be combed thoroughly with a metal comb.
Exercise Needs
Siberian Huskies need a decent amount of exercise, including a daily walk or jog, but should not be excessively exercised in warm weather. They should have a large yard with a high fence, but bury about 6 inches of the fence beneath the ground because they are likely to dig their way out and go off hunting.
Health Issues
Huskies are relatively free of breed-specific problems, apart from hip dysplasia and occasional eye problems (such as juvenile cataracts, PRA (eyes) primarily in male dogs, corneal dystrophy, crystalline corneal opacities and ectopy (displacement) of the urethra). Also, they sometimes have zinc responsive dermatitis (a skin condition which improves by giving a zinc supplements). Breeders can get hip screenings from the OFA and eye screenings yearly from a canine opthamologist (AVCO) and register the exam through CERF and SHOR)... I can provide more information if you'd like.
Trivia
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