Because it originated in cold climates, Siberians have a thicker coat than most other breeds of dog, made up of a dense cashmere-like undercoat and a longer, coarse top coat. All colors from black to pure white are allowed, and a variety of markings on the head is common.
The history
The Siberian Husky was originated by the Chukchi people of northeastern Asia as an endurance sled dog. When changing conditions forced these semi-nomadic natives to expand their hunting grounds, they responded by developing a unique breed of sled dog, which met their special requirements and upon which their very survival depended.
Training and Temperament
Siberians are nice fit for homes with children. As born pack dogs, they enjoy being part of a family and get along well with other dogs, but don't like being left alone for long periods of time. Positive training methods like clicker training works very well with this smart breed. New owners shouldn't bother picking up a "Beware of Dog" sign—Siberians' innate warmth and love of making new friends make them indifferent watchdogs. These are extremely energetic dogs who can’t resist chasing small animals; they need secure running room (a fenced-in yard or dog park), and walking them off-leash is risky. An attractive feature of the breed is fastidiousness: Siberians are naturally clean, with little doggy odor.
appearance
The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working dog, quick and light on his feet and free and graceful in action. His moderately compact and well furred body, erect ears and brush tail suggest his Northern heritage. His characteristic gait is smooth and seemingly effortless. He performs his original function in harness most capably, carrying a light load at a moderate speed over great distances. His body proportions and form reflect this basic balance of power, speed and endurance.
View the official AKC breed standard here.
View the official AKC breed standard here.
Colors and Markings
Standard colors for Siberian Huskies are agouti & white, black & white, gray & white, red & white, sable & white, and solid white with less standard colors ranging from black, brown, and tan and a mixture of those with white and grey.
Standard colors for Siberian Huskies are agouti & white, black & white, gray & white, red & white, sable & white, and solid white with less standard colors ranging from black, brown, and tan and a mixture of those with white and grey.
Eye Color
Eye colors can be either blue, brown, or amber. The eye coloring can be total color, bi-eyed color (each eye is a different color), or parti-colored (one eye has two colors in it).
Eye colors can be either blue, brown, or amber. The eye coloring can be total color, bi-eyed color (each eye is a different color), or parti-colored (one eye has two colors in it).
Coat Length
Coats are either short, plush, or woolly.
Coats are either short, plush, or woolly.
Care
The dense double coat must be brushed at least weekly, and daily during shedding seasons. Siberians are relatively easy keepers, but their thick coats require weekly brushing. New owners should be prepared to provide an outlet for exercise daily, whether through walks or an enclosed space in which to run. Predatory instincts are strong, so Siberians should be supervised around small animals (cats, hamsters, birds, etc.) in and around the home.
Nutrition and Feeding
Depending on the size of your dog as an adult you are going to want to feed them a formula that will cater to their unique digestive needs through the various phases of their life. Many dog food companies have breed-specific formulas for small, medium, large and giant breeds. The Siberian is a medium breed and has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. What you feed your dog is an individual choice, but working with your veterinarian and/or breeder will be the best way to determine frequency of meals as a puppy and the best adult diet to increase his longevity. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
Coat and Grooming
Beyond regular weekly grooming the occasional bath will keep them clean and looking their best. Grooming can be a wonderful bonding experience for you and your pet. Their strong fast-growing nails should be trimmed regularly with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting and cracking. Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris which can result in an infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.
Energy and Exercise
Predatory instincts are strong, so Siberians should be supervised around small animals in and around the home. They were designed to run all day long, pulling a sled. If allowed to run loose, they will run away. A fenced yard and willingness to use a leash any time you're outside of that fence make keeping your Siberian safe and at home much easier. Siberians are very adaptable and can live in any climate, but care should be taken not to exercise your dog during the heat of day. This is an active breed, so regular exercise is a must. The Siberian Husky has one major characteristic endowed by his heritage—the desire to RUN. There are many breeds of dogs which, when let out in the morning will sit in the front yard all day. Not the Siberian Husky! One quick lope across a busy street could be the last he enjoys, ever. No Siberian Husky should ever be allowed unrestrained freedom. For his own protection and out of your love, he should be confined or under control at all times. Sufficient exercise for proper development is necessary. Too much inactivity might cause him to think up unacceptable activities for himself, usually at your expense! Siberian Huskies are very sensitive and extremely intelligent.
Health
Like all breeds there may be some health issues, like hip dysplasia and eye disease. Some dogs may be faced with these health challenges in their lives, but the majority of Siberian Huskies are healthy dogs. Compared to other breeds, they maintain a healthy weight on less food, but you should feed them a high-quality protein-based food. He is by nature fastidiously clean and is free from body odor and parasites. Please don't allow your Siberian Husky to become overweight. The Siberian Husky is noted as an ʺeasy keeperʺ requiring relatively small amounts of food for his size. He was bred to pull a light load at a fast pace over great distances in low temperatures on the smallest possible intake of food. A thinner dog will live a longer, happier, healthier life. Working with a responsible breeder, those wishing to own a Siberian can gain the education they need to know about specific health concerns within the breed.
Nutrition and Feeding
Depending on the size of your dog as an adult you are going to want to feed them a formula that will cater to their unique digestive needs through the various phases of their life. Many dog food companies have breed-specific formulas for small, medium, large and giant breeds. The Siberian is a medium breed and has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. What you feed your dog is an individual choice, but working with your veterinarian and/or breeder will be the best way to determine frequency of meals as a puppy and the best adult diet to increase his longevity. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
Coat and Grooming
Beyond regular weekly grooming the occasional bath will keep them clean and looking their best. Grooming can be a wonderful bonding experience for you and your pet. Their strong fast-growing nails should be trimmed regularly with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting and cracking. Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris which can result in an infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.
Energy and Exercise
Predatory instincts are strong, so Siberians should be supervised around small animals in and around the home. They were designed to run all day long, pulling a sled. If allowed to run loose, they will run away. A fenced yard and willingness to use a leash any time you're outside of that fence make keeping your Siberian safe and at home much easier. Siberians are very adaptable and can live in any climate, but care should be taken not to exercise your dog during the heat of day. This is an active breed, so regular exercise is a must. The Siberian Husky has one major characteristic endowed by his heritage—the desire to RUN. There are many breeds of dogs which, when let out in the morning will sit in the front yard all day. Not the Siberian Husky! One quick lope across a busy street could be the last he enjoys, ever. No Siberian Husky should ever be allowed unrestrained freedom. For his own protection and out of your love, he should be confined or under control at all times. Sufficient exercise for proper development is necessary. Too much inactivity might cause him to think up unacceptable activities for himself, usually at your expense! Siberian Huskies are very sensitive and extremely intelligent.
Health
Like all breeds there may be some health issues, like hip dysplasia and eye disease. Some dogs may be faced with these health challenges in their lives, but the majority of Siberian Huskies are healthy dogs. Compared to other breeds, they maintain a healthy weight on less food, but you should feed them a high-quality protein-based food. He is by nature fastidiously clean and is free from body odor and parasites. Please don't allow your Siberian Husky to become overweight. The Siberian Husky is noted as an ʺeasy keeperʺ requiring relatively small amounts of food for his size. He was bred to pull a light load at a fast pace over great distances in low temperatures on the smallest possible intake of food. A thinner dog will live a longer, happier, healthier life. Working with a responsible breeder, those wishing to own a Siberian can gain the education they need to know about specific health concerns within the breed.
The majority of the information on this page is from the official AKC website.