Medium
14 Years
27 Kg
Working Dogs
Alert, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Out-Going
The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized spitz-type breed with well-balanced proportions that belongs to the working-type sled-dogs. It has a finely chiselled fox-like appearance and shares many physical similarities with the Alaskan Malamute and the Samoyed including a medium-length muzzle that is slightly rounded that tapers gradually to a rounded nose which can be black, liver or flesh-coloured, depending on the colour of the coat. It has almond-shaped eyes that come in any shade of blue or brown, either colour for each eye or parti-colours that impart a keen but friendly expression. The triangular ears of the Siberian Husky are highly set and carried erect with thick furs both in and outside the ears. A well pigmented lips and teeth that forms a complete scissor bite completes the facial features. The neck is of medium length and thickness and in proportion to the rest of the body which carries the head proudly. The forelegs are straight and moderately spaced with proportionate bones while the hindlegs features well muscled thighs, enabling the dog to efficiently carry the broad-chested body. The Siberian Husky has tougher and thickier pads on the feet than any other dogs which help the breed traverse icy paths without freezing. It also has a distinctive well-furred, fox brush shape tail similar to most northern breeds. The Siberian husky has a thicker coat compared to other breeds of canine which comes in a multitude of colours and patterns but usually with white paws and legs, facial markings and tail tip. The double coat is made of straight and smooth-lying outer coat with soft and dense undercoat which comes in all colours including pure white.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The Siberian Husky is believed to be one of the oldest dog breeds, as evidenced by recent DNA analysis (Science, Volume 304, May 21, 2004.) that originated from the Siberian Peninsula. It was developed by the Chukchi people for sled-pulling and reindeer-herding over three millennia ago during their expansion. This northern breed has an uncertain lineage but based on its appearance, it is most certainly of spitz-type origin. The Siberian Husky was made famous from 1908 during the gold rush as a faster and more enduring sled dog. In 1909, it garnered further recognition when the breed was entered in the extremely popular All-Alaska Sweepstakes (AAS) race which covered 408 miles between Nome and Candle, Alaska. The following year, Siberian Huskies bred and raised by Charles Fox Maule were entered in three teams which dominated the annual race winning first, second and fourth places. Similarly, the Siberian Huskies bred and trained by Leonhard Seppala, a Norwegian fisherman turned gold miner, dominated the races thereafter. In 1925, these dogs became key figures in the 340-mile long serum run to Nome, Alaska which delivered antibiotic for diphtheria by dogsled to the stricken town. In honour of their gallantry and bravery, the town of Nome erected a statue in Central Park to honour the breed. Today, the Siberian Husky is a popular companion dog as well as a sled-, cart- and race dog.
The Siberian Husky is an intelligent and highly trainable breed. However, it can be independent and may obey a command at its own will. It barks very little and lacks the suspicious character towards strangers which makes it a poor watchdog. It has a bad habit of howling, digging and chewing, but with early socialization, these can be prevented.
Sometimes having a stubborn streak and its natural independent character requires patient and consistent training from an understanding handler. Socialization at an early age with other household pets especially cats and other small animals, is recommended. Constant human attention must be given to prevent boredom from setting in which may manifest into excessive digging and chewing or even howling.
This breed can not tolerate warm weather because of its thick, heavy coat and should not be subjected to vigorous exercises when the climate is hot. Grooming is moderate; just twice a week of brushing is sufficient, although more frequent attention is required during the twice a year shedding season. The Siberian Husky is not recommended for an apartment life and will do best in a house with a large, well-fenced in yard.
The Siberian Husky is a healthy breed with an average lifespan between thirteen to sixteen years of age. Health issues that are known to affect the breed include eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal dystrophy among others), allergies, and cancer in older lines. Hip dysplasia rarely occurs but is not a major concern in the breed. The coat and nails tend to become brittle if the breed lacks the right amount of fish oil in its diet.
The breed’s diet should always be high in fat and protein which can come from fish and poultry (similar to the diet from its native origin including salmon and other fresh water fish.) This breed consumes less food than other dogs of the same size and activity level. Feeding should be based on the dog’s size and activity level to prevent obesity.
This highly energetic breed must be exercised on a daily basis. Activities which can provide physical and mental stimulation such as a good run (typically in cold, snowy climate), sled pulling, or a session of play in a well-fenced in yard are ideal activities that can provide the amount of exercise that the Siberian Husky needs.
It is highly energetic and playful and good with children. As a dog that worked in packs, it is typically friendly towards strangers and excellent with other dogs, though it may chase down cats or other animals that are unfamiliar with it.
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