The Siberian Husky, like the name suggests, is a dog with its origins in Eastern Siberia, where it was a watchdog, pulled sleds and herded reindeer for the Chukchi, a nomad tribe. They were brought to Alaska by fur traders, because of their incredible stamina and speed, in order to participate in the Arctic races, 400 mile long dogsled competitions.
But what truly put the breed on the map was the event that saved the town of Nome in 1925. The town needed diphtheria serum to save the people, but all the roads were closed, so the only solution was to send it by dog sled over 600 miles from Nenana to Nome. That’s when the famous sled dog musher Leonhard Seppala chose this breed to pull the sled. The leading dog, by the name of Blato, was awarded a statue in Central Park, New York, to commemorate the tremendous effort and endurance it had faced during this run.
The Siberian Husky dogs are the strong silent type, as they rarely bark - but instead they howl quite a lot, recalling the ancestral roots of the breed. Their howl can be heard from a 10 mile distance. They are happiest in the great outdoors - their coat can withstand anything that nature can throw at them and their strong body can take on any terrain that crosses their path.
They are medium size dogs, with a height of 21-23 in (53-60 cm) and weight of 45-60 lbs (20-27 kg) in males, while females have height of 20-22 in (51-56 cm) and weight of 35-50 lbs (16-23 kg). They have a thicker coat than most of the breeds, made from two layers, one dense undercoat and a longer topcoat. Their dense coat has a double purpose: to keep them warm from the cold in winter (up to -60 degrees Celsius) and reflect the heat during summer. They are known to naturally adapt their coat if they live in a hot environment.
The most common coat color is black and white, but other colors can be found: copper-red and white, pure white, grey and white. Usually they have white paws and legs, white facial markings and white tail tip. They require weekly grooming to keep their coat nice and healthy. A distinctive feature of this breed is the eye color. Usually, it is a pale blue color but other variations are common, like dark blue, amber or brown. Some special dogs can have heterochromia, when one eye is one color and the other is another color. Generally they are healthy dogs, but can develop hip and eye problems.>br>
The Siberian Huskies are receptive to training, but, being smart and having a strong character, they can sometimes create problems in following commands when they are not in the mood. Good patience is required when training them. Keeping in mind that these are cold weather, sled pulling loving dogs, they are not suitable for tropical or sub-tropical area and they prefer a house with a garden where they can spend their energy.
The Siberian Husky has a soft spot for children, which, combined with the breed’s pack mentality, makes this amazing dog ideal for family life.
