The Siberian  Husky was originally developed in Northeast Asia by the Chukchi people, and at that time was named the Chukchi Husky.  The Siberian Husky was bred by the nomadic Chukchi tribes of northeast Asia. He was used as a sled dog and as a hunter. This medium-sized breed has great stamina and a lively, independent nature. Although its ancestry is not known, this dog is definitely related to the Spitz family. Way back during the Alaskan Gold Rush, these dogs were extremely important to life in the Arctic regions.  It was at that time that dog racing became an enjoyable pastime as a standard source of entertainment.

The popular Alaska Sweepstakes Race, which covered over 400 miles in the distance from Nome all the way to Candle, became an entrance for the Chukchi Huskies in 1909.  These dogs did not really fare well in popularity at that time, however, there was one racer that was impressed with these animals and imported 70 of them to train for winning the 1910 race.  Amazingly enough, his three teams of Huskies did indeed win first, second, and fourth-place.  As you can probably guess, this immediately set the stage for the Siberian  Husky to become the dominating winner for future races.

Description: The Siberian Husky stands 20 to 23 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 35 and 60 pounds. The females are much smaller than the males. He has a medium-sized athletic body and a high-maintenance coat that sheds profusely and requires regular brushing to keep it in good condition. The undercoat is dense, giving the dog great insulation against the cold. In the spring the Husky loses much of this undercoat. Eye color for the Huskie is variable. Blue and brown are common, often one of each is seen.

In 1925 the Siberian  Husky started to show up in Canada and then soon after the United States. The AKC recognized this dog as an official breed in 1930. In World War II, a fair amount of Huskies served with soldiers for the US Army's search and rescue missions.  This further helped its popularity among dog enthusiasts.  Eventually it became a common household pet and of course remains the most popular of any Arctic dog breed in existence today.

Because this breed was bred to perform his task with less human control, he tends to be more intelligent and on the stubborn, independent side. The Husky loves to roam and do his own thing. He can be very resistant to training, particularly with the "Come" command. This breed can be a real character, and when he so chooses, he is loving and sweet, making him a good family dog. He is very clean and rarely gives off any doggy odors. He is also very vocal, not barking so much as yodeling in howls and yips similar to the vocalizations of wolves. This can be annoying and hard to change. Smart but obstinate, the Husky is not the easiest breed to train. He needs lots of exercise and would not be a good choice for an apartment dweller. He is also a poor watchdog because of his tendency to take off at the first sign of trouble.

This breed loves to run and can make a great jogging partner, provided the weather is not too warm. Just keep in mind that the Husky has a very high prey drive and can be rather aggressive toward small dogs and other small animals. The Husky is usually friendly to almost anyone and is usually good with children. This breed can be prone to hip dysplasia and chronic diarrhea. He has a gastrointestinal tract that can overreact to changes in diet or environment. Provide the Husky with one type of food and do not change it unless necessary. Avoid leaving the dog in the kennel or he may not eat well, may get diarrhea, and may suffer from what is called kennel fever, a restless state of mind that is best described as a claustrophobic dread of confinement.

Upkeep And Maintenance

The Siberian  Husky can be described in so many ways. They are alert, independent, clever, and extremely adventurous. These dogs absolutely love to run long distances and unless thoroughly trained may tend to roam if left unattended. Siberian Huskies are well behaved around other house pets but may be a bit aggressive towards strange dogs outside.

Physical upkeep for this dog breed must require plenty of daily exercise, preferably with long jogs or better yet, off-leash running where it is safe for them to roam. A person with an active lifestyle will enjoy the companionship of a Siberian  Husky. These are perfect pets to have if you live in an area where the weather is cold.  They also enjoy pulling exercises, such as sleds and other objects.

Grooming requires just a thorough brushing once or twice per week.  Their coat runs short, but may need daily brushing when experiencing times of heavy shedding.

Ideal home: A house with a fenced yard is important. The owner of a Siberian Husky should be a firm, competent leader who likes a playful, challenging, and independent breed. Spoilers, nervous types, and overbearing persons should avoid this breed. Time to exercise and train him, especially the "Come" command is essential. The Husky is good with children, but no roughhousing should be allowed. Small animals could pose a problem due to this breed's high prey drive. The elderly and the disabled may have trouble keeping up with this active breed.

Health Information

The Siberian Husky is a lucky dog breed in that it is generally very healthy with absolutely no major health concerns.  Minor issues which may pop up, but are rare, include hypothyroidism, PRA, corneal dystrophy, and cataracts.  Dog enthusiasts who become the proud owner of a Siberian  Husky have a fortunate lifespan of 13 years to enjoy its companionship.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in same amount or 5 cupfuls of a complete dry food.