A wise woman once said “Whatever, I am getting a Siberian Husky”, and she lived happily ever after. Known to be one of the most beautiful dog breeds, Siberian Husky has intoxicating eyes and a wolf-like appearance.
Siberian Husky breed is a big-time gossip queen – known to jabber, groan and grumble from time to time. Their bloodline goes back 27,000 years to an Arctic Wolf making them the best antique piece you can ever possess.
Absolute adore-balls, Husky is intelligent and is going fill your house with its warmth and charm. Talking about Siberian Husky origin, they come a long way from Russia and were sledding dogs that survived in harsh weather conditions. They are much more than two beautiful eyes staring at your affectionately; they are fierce and can make your life wholesome.
In 1925, Nome children were widely affected by a deadly disease called Diphtheria, and the closest anti-biotic was available 1000 miles away. The group of mushers was the only option to get the medicine 647 miles from where the train left. It took 127.5 hours for the sled dogs – black Siberian Husky – to bring the medicines to the village battling extreme cold weather conditions. Not all heroes wear capes, some have blue eyes!
Let’s dive into the life of this gorgeous dog in wolf’s clothing.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Avg. Weight: 35-65 pounds (male) and 30-60 pounds (female)
Avg. Height: 20-24 inches (male) and 19-23 inches (female)
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Dog Group: Working Dog
Colors: Black & White; Red & White; Brown & White; Pure White; Mix Of White, Black, And Red; Etc.
Other Names: Siberian rats, Chukcha, big dog, husky, Sibe, short-faced wolves, Siberian swirl, etc.
Dog Rank: 14/193 (United States of America)
Siberian Husky Pictures
At a Glance
Siberian Husky size is medium weighing up to 60 pounds and almost 23 inches in length. Their weight is between 46 to 60 pounds for male dogs and 35 to 50 pounds for Siberian Husky female dogs, and their height withers from 21 to 23 inches for male and 20 to 22 inches at the shoulder for Siberian Husky female.
Siberian Husky lifespan ranges from 12 to 15 years.
Are Siberian Husky apartment-friendly? They are sled-dog which means they are used to climbing hills and walking for miles. They live like with enthusiasm and love running and tearing up and down the yard. They can live in an apartment if you can cope with their exercise needs because they have a lot of energy. It would be even better if you live in a place with a hilltop or small trekking trails nearby. Nevertheless, they will still require a big garden to vent their energy. Failing to meet up to his physical needs can make him aggressive. You can rather look up for other apartment-friendly dog breeds.
Siberian Husky can make a great family dog. They are very affectionate and do very well with children. They are friendly with every possible human on earth, including strangers which makes them a terrible watch-dog. They will not pester you for attention and will not have one favorite human; rather they will try to get cuddles and love from any available family member. If you live in a neighborhood, they will make sure they greet everyone they meet on their way to dog-park.
Most Siberian Husky is friendly with other dogs, especially if raised together since puppyhood. Interestingly, Huskies cannot stay alone and will always want a sibling which can be either be a human child or another dog. They make great pairs with other working dogs like German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois. However, they have strong prey instinct and may chase cats and other smaller pets. If you have a cat, it is recommended you raise them together otherwise you may just find your cat dead. I kid you not!
Barking is a territorial act and Huskies are not a territorial breed. Siberian Husky has known to have the DNA of a wolf which means it does not bark but instead howls. Known to be the chatty kind, they not only howl but also talk a lot. They will jabber, groan, grumble and make all possible kinds of noise to tell you what’s in their mind. Keep a manual ready to understand dog language and why certain dogs howl.
Siberian Husky was bred to live in cold weather. They have built-in winter protection – a thick, short undercoat to help retain body heat and a long outer which protects them from water and snow. Being primarily winter dogs, it gets very difficult for a Husky to thrive in extremely warm weather. However, their outer coat prevents them from sunlight while the inner coat maintains body-coolness making them slightly comfortable in moderately warm weather conditions.
Siberian Husky was bred to live in cold weather. They have built-in winter protection – a thick, short undercoat to help retain body heat and a long outer which protects them from water and snow. Being primarily winter dogs, it gets very difficult for a Husky to thrive in extremely warm weather. However, their outer coat prevents them from sunlight while the inner coat maintains body-coolness making them slightly comfortable in moderately warm weather conditions.
Siberian Husky is intelligent, athletic but an extremely independent dog. It will take your command just as a suggestion and therefore, are not recommended for first-time owners. Siberian Husky training should be professional and if not trained properly they might become destructive. Bred as pack dogs, they will challenge your boundaries. Siberian Husky are wolf-like dogs, they are clever and intelligent dogs but can be very stubborn. They love human company and need gentle training since puppyhood. Giving them enough mental stimulation can polish their wit.
Siberian Husky exercise needs are high. They are very active dogs and have a lot of enthusiasm and energy. They need a least two hours of exercise with almost 60 minutes of a trek or walk. They have a towering hunting drive and it may get very difficult to get hold of your dog once off the leash.
Siberian Husky grooming needs comparatively low despite having a thick dual-coat. Regular brushing and bathing him once a week is enough to get them going. Their coat is their identity, do not shave or strip your Husky too close. Trimming their nails regularly is necessary because their nails grow faster than other dog breeds, alongside once in a while ear and anal cleaning.
Siberian Husky is not a hypoallergenic dog. In fact, there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs. This breed blows it coat off twice a year. During the Siberian Husky shedding period, you need to give extra attention to their coat-grooming. Though this breed has an almost non-shedding coat, they leave enough danders to initiate allergies. If you are sensitive to dog fur, you should consider looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed.
Price for Siberian Husky ranges from 600 to 800 USD.
About Siberian Husky
Siberian Husky, an all-time favorite of anybody who once sets his eyes upon him, are very faithful and affectionate dogs. They love everybody even if it is a stranger and make pathetic watchdogs. Don’t be surprised to see your dog having a merry time with an unknown visitor. However, they are not known to do things to impress other people including their master, and have an independent say to everything. This quality makes them extremely difficult to train which is a bad sign for first-time owners.
Siberian Husky size is medium that does not grow more than 23 inches at the shoulder and 60 pounds in weight. The Siberian Husky average weight of a male dog is 45 to 60 pounds and 35 to 40 pounds for a Siberian Husky female dog. Siberian Husky height also changes with gender making male dogs 21 to 23 inches and female Siberian Husky 20 to 22 inches at the shoulder. In spite of average height, they have an athletic built and a charming personality.
Siberian Husky with Blue Eyes is a common inherited trait in this breed. Thanks to the absence of the merle gene – it makes them look all the more enchanting and intoxicating.
Developed as sled-dog, Huskies have enormous capacity to battle cold weathers. They are known for their beautiful coat and striking almond-shaped eyes. They are very stubborn but their ability to learn and retain is astounding. However, Siberian Husky training should be proper and professional to bring out the best in them.
High working dogs, Siberian Husky is not an ideal dog for apartment living. They need a lot of backyard space to vent their sudden enthusiasm. They are used to working on hills, so having a small cliff or trekking area is a bonus for your pooch. Additionally, they thrive better in cold weather. It would be a bad idea to adopt a Husky if you are living in a place that experiences extreme warm or humid weather.
Siberian Husky is a perfect family guy. Contrary to the belief, they do very well with children and other pet dogs. Hunting in an in-bred habit, so they may chase cats and other small animals if not raised together.
The Soviet Russia government closed its borders around 1930 which saw the last import of Siberian Husky. Nowadays, most of them are bred carelessly affecting their breeding standards. Largely, their negative traits have started overpowering their positive traits making this calm and composed breed rather ill-treated and aggressive. If you are planning to adopt a Husky, adopt him from a responsible breeder.
This is a distinct breed and an absolute eye-candy. Siberian Husky lives a healthy life of 12 to 15 years and will not only lighten up your home but also fill your life with affection and grace.
THE FAMOUS FIVE
A Siberian Husky is much more than having icy-blue eyes and looking gorgeous. They think they have a lot of responsibility on their fragile shoulders and will fight to any extent to fulfill these responsibilities. Though the most beloved Husky would be the one swirling and sleeping beside you in the bed, Siberian Husky has come a long way in history.
Balto, Fritz, and Togo
Balto, Fritz, and Togo, the trio led the Great Alaskan Race. In 1925, when a Siberian town, Nome, experienced an epidemic called Diphtheria that spread like wildfire especially among children, this brave trio traveled 700 miles in sub-zero temperature and bought medicines to the village. Balto was a black Siberian Husky who led the team while Fritz and Togo showed exceptional courage in important sections of the rush. A statue has been erected in New York’s Central Park commemorate Balto.
There is a British-American animated Siberian Husky movie called Balto which was released in 1995 dir. Simon Wells.
Charlie
Charlie is the Eddie Hall of the canine world. Im-paw-sible was never a word in the dictionary of a Siberian Husky but Charlie took it to the ultimate level. In the year 1963, he pulled a 3,142 lb sled and was awarded the strongest dog alive. While we don’t promise that your Siberian Husky puppy would be able to lift this weight but he sure will have some outstanding stamina and strength.
The Eight Below Huskies
It was when a group of adventurers decided to trek the treacherous terrain of Antarctica with a pack made up of Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Husky, that the terrible weather condition afflicted the team with hypothermia and frostbite. It was this pack of lionhearted dogs that save the humans and brought them back to base. Despite humans being extracted, the pack was abandoned at the base for another six months until the leader of the team could raise funds to rescue the dogs from there. The eight dogs were Maya, Old Jack, Shadow, Buck, Max, Truman, Dewey, and Shorty.
This expedition was the inspiration for the screenplay adaptation a Siberian Husky movie, The Eight Below (2006), starring Paul Walker and Bruce Greenwood.
Droopy
This is the story of two best friends – Drooly, The Siberian Husky, and Mick Pawley, his human best mate. In the 70s, Pawley along with a pack of sled dogs including Droopy went to explore Pourquoi Pas, an island in Chile. While on the journey, two of the dogs (one being Droopy) fell into a deep crevasse and started fighting with each other. Resulting, Droopy slipped off the harness and fell further. Pawley managed to pull one of the dogs back up but Droopy was out of sight.
Pawley descended 150 meters down to find Droopy when he finally saw him straddling the fissure with all his might. Pawley untied himself and tied Droopy to the same rock further rock-climbing the entire height. It’s not always the dog that is loyal, is it? Dedicating this one to people like Pawley, who go to extremes just to save their baby.
Mukluk
In 1960 the US Army had a project to secretly build a large network of mobile nuclear sites under Greenland during the Cold War without the Danish knowing it. However, the project was dismissed because it was impossible to erect such a structure in such unsteady and harsh weather conditions. A diversion was planned for the Danish – the construction of Camp Century – a site to test construction techniques in the harsh weathers of the Arctic. To make it more obvious they deployed a team of 150 people along with a Siberian Husky, Muluk, as their mascot.
Muluk now lives on as the YT Beanie Baby collection toy, a grey Siberian Husky with blue and green bi-colored eyes.
History
Siberian Husky origin dates back to the days of Chukchi, a Siberian nomadic tribe. Siberia, known for extreme winter, gave the tribe two options – either to expand their hunting grounds or perish forever. For the sake of survival, they came up with a dog-breed that would carry lightweight goods across frozen lands in minus-zero temperatures and low transportation costs. This was the beginning of the Husky bloodline.
Then came the early 1900s when people first noticed the Siberian Husky breed while they kept acing all the sledding race. Consequently, in 1925 Leonhard Seppala led a pack of Siberian Husky black brought medicines for Diphtheria infected kids in Nome.
When Soviet Russia closed its border in 1930, the Siberian Husky export had stopped. Since then, the dogs that were found in Canada and North America, have been used to breed Siberian Husky. Though they do not have the authentic bloodline of the Chukchi breed, they still possess a lot of purebred Siberian Husky characteristics.
Siberian Husky was recognized by American Kennel Club in 1930 and majorly remains the heart-throb of all dog lovers, ranking 14th on the AKC rating. The Siberian Club of America was formed in 1938 which followed their recognition in Canadian Kennel Club in 1939.
Husky Facts Theater
1. War Dogs
Siberian Husky was used by the army in WWII for transportation, freighting, and communication. They also served in the United States Army‘s Arctic Search and Rescue Unit of Air Transport Command in the same war.
2. Strength At Every Bite
Siberian Husky puppy has a powerful bite. They are known to bring to bear 150-200 pounds of pressure per square inch. Ouch!
3. Pooches That Smooches
They are not all about bites. Siberian Husky breed is known to kiss a lot. In fact, studies have shown that their saliva proteins have a probiotic effect which is beneficial for humans. To the one who said kissing burns calories – cheers, we have made a discovery!
4. Husky Mascots
A lot of universities like Northeastern University, Houston Baptist University, and the University of Washington use the Siberian Husky as a mascot.
5. Star Boy Siberian Husky
This breed has not only starred in Balto, the animated movie on the frontline hero of the Diphtheria epidemic in Nome but also in other Siberian Husky movies like Snow Dogs, Eight Below, and Iron Will.
6. Holly-woof Mania
It’s not just the dog lover who has been smitten by Siberian Husky, but there are a lot of Hollywood sensations that have been taken by affection. Rita Ora, the famous pop sass, mothers a gorgeous Siberian Husky white in color, named Bowie. Jared Leto, the Suicide Squad Joker, goes a long way with his pal, Sky. Other page-three guys like Ben Stiller, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Lautner (Now we know where he got his “Jacob Black” acting skills from), and Valerie Anne Poxleitner also own Siberian Husky.
Parenting Guide and Care
Siberian Husky has a lot of enthusiasm and energy. They were known to cover vast expanses without food and rest, which means your dog needs a lot of exercises. They make excellent jogging and trekking partners. Take him for 30-60 minutes of walk regularly. Additionally, they need another 60 minutes of mental and dog sporting activities.
Siberian Husky is a great escape artist. There is not a single fence that they cannot escape be it either by jumping or digging under the fence. Do you think you got the best containment system? Let a Siberian Husky prove you wrong. It is best to install an invisible containment system for them. Additionally, lease training is a mandate. They have strong prey instincts and might just start running about without caring how far behind they have left you. You may lose your pooch if he suddenly decides to take a run. Never leave him without a leash because he might just run astray. It may take a lot of patience but please don’t kick your dog out. You can always negotiate the term of his leash though! 😉
Crate training is also very important for Siberian Husky. They are working dogs and spend most of their time jumping from one place to the other. Using a crate to give them their own space and rest can be a great idea. Do not use the crate as a punishment tool. It will just bake your pooch more aggressive
Potty Training a Siberian Husky needs a lot of patience. They are an independent dog breed and will take your command as a suggestion. Potty training gets difficult if he decides not to listen to you and excrement where he wishes to. He is a boss of his own thoughts, after all.
Siberian Husky needs professional training. They may do very well in class but chances are that they come home and get back to being stubborn. A lot of people adopt Husky for its beauty but they don’t know how difficult it is to parent one. They need skillful hands to take care of them, and improper training can make them destructive.
Siberian Husky is very friendly and not at all wary of strangers. You might see your Husky giving kisses to an absolutely unknown person which makes them terrible watchdogs. Interestingly, their fierce Siberian Husky wolf-like feature is enough for people to become aware of your dog.
Siberian Husky is very affectionate and ideal for a family with children. They can be your human child’s next best friend. In fact, they are not Velcro dogs and do not have one favorite person. They get along with every member of the family and would love to spend time with each one of you individually. This breed has a pack mentality which means they need siblings. If you want to pet more than one dog, a Siberian Husky can be an option. They gel in like brother from another mother with a German Shepherd, and both together make a great duo.
Siberian Husky may not be an apartment-friendly dog. It needs a lot of exercises and running. Unless you have a huge backyard where he can vent out his walking and digging drives, it would be a bad idea to keep him in an apartment. In fact, their howling can disturb the entire neighborhood. However, If you are still persistent in adopting a Husky, you better have a complete guide to can huskies live in apartments?
Siberian Husky is not hypoallergenic. They are rather known for their beautiful coat which sheds in lumps twice a year.To keep them as beautiful as they look and less allergic, you need to take special care of his grooming requirements, especially when Siberian Husky is shedding.
Did you know ?
a Siberian Husky howling is as such that it can be heard from 10 miles? Talking about being chatty!
Colors and Grooming
Siberian Husky grooming needs are not a lot. Though they are known for their beautiful coat, twice a week brushing and once a month bathing is enough for them to roll. Although Siberian Husky sheds continually but that is mostly in lumps. They shed heavily twice a year when they blow off their coat which is mainly in spring and fall. They shed for a maximum of four to six weeks. Siberian Husky female shedding is common during her mens too, or right after their pregnancy. During such time, they need regular brushing and often baths.
Siberian Husky nails grow very fast. Get it trimmed on a routine basis. Ear and eye cleaning is a must. You can do it at home with the help of baby oil and cotton swab (remember clean only where your eyes can reach). Additionally, you can clip excess fur during warm weather but do not shave their identity off.
Take your dog to vet regularly for anal cleaning as soon as you smell something unusual.
Feeding
Puppy (3 months to 12 months)
You should feed your Siberian Husky Puppy 2 cups of high quality wet/dry food or a mixture of both over three meals a day.
Siberian Husky is not a foodie and will eat only when he wants to. The idea is to take him to a quiet room and leave him alone with the food. He will eat if he has to. However, this is their growing period and even if they don’t eat a lot, you have to feed him the necessary nutrients. They need many calories per pound during the first five months.
Adult (1 year to 7 years)
A Siberian Husky adult needs 1 cup of high-quality dog food in each serving at least twice a day.
Adult Husky should be fed only 60% of what is written in the dog food package. They will only eat till they are full, unlike other breeds that cannot feel their filling stomach. Pretty health-conscious you see?
Senior (11 years to 15 years)
You can continue giving him 1 cup of high-quality dog food in each serving at least twice a day or change it according to your Siberian Husky average weight.
Senior dogs have lower metabolism and tend to put up weight. Though Siberian Husky is not fond of eating and eats only as much as he burns, if you see signs of obesity you can shift into a senior dog diet. You can also feed him a bowl full of delicious homemade dog food.
Note: Do not change his diet suddenly because that may cause gastric issues. Try to slowly change the diet over two weeks.
Did you know ?
Siberian Husky has a high metabolism? Things that science can’t explain, Husky can go on running for miles with limited food supply and not even using bodily energy reserves. How do they do? No idea, all we know is that Siberian Husky can sprint for hours without food by regulating their metabolism. Surprisingly, this regulation only happens while they are working. Once at rest, the metabolism shift to normalcy.
Health and Vaccination
Siberian Husky is a healthy breed but they are still prone to certain health issues. Huskies mostly have very beautiful but sensitive eyes and they aremajorly vulnerable to eye conditions. We don’t mean to say that every Husky is mandated to have them but you need to be aware of these issues.
1. Corneal Dystrophy
It can be a genetic or progressive eye disorder where abnormal elements accumulate in the transparent layer of the eyes i.e. the cornea. It can be both symptomatic and asymptomatic and is usually seen in Siberian Husky puppies or females.
Symptoms can include watery eyes, dry eyes, glare, and sensitivity to light.
The mild condition does not require treatment. However, if the situation is serious then your pooch might need corneal transplantation.
2. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
This is an eye disease that leads to degeneration of the retina, causing vision loss or complete blindness.
The symptoms may not appear at early ages but it may include night blindness, bumping into things in dim light, or unwillingness to go into dark rooms.
It is hereditary. Adopt your puppy from a responsible dog breeder that keeps a check on the breeding lot for such health conditions.
3. Cataract
Cataract, another eye problem, causes clouding of the eye lens. It is a common health issue and is mostly seen in senior dogs. They generally have to go through a minor eye operation to remove the opacity and clear the vision. Symptoms may include a change in color of the pupil size, shape or color, clumsiness, rubbing the eyes, or difficulty in seeing in dimly lit places.
4. Seizures.
The growing demand for this breed has increased the number of fraudulent breeders. If you want to adopt an authentic breed find an authentic breeder and get health clearance of the pooches’ parents. Health clearance is a certificate that proves that your puppy is healthy.
5. Heterochromia
Eyes of two different colors – is common in Siberian Husky Breed.
When it comes to Siberian Husky vaccination, he must be vaccinated with canine parvovirus and for canine distemper on 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 weeks of age and then a booster every three years.
Make sure to also get a deworming vaccination plan for your pooch from your vet.
Dog vaccination is too much on a platter. You can read our Guide To Dog Vaccination for further information.
Frequently Asked Question
Siberian Husky smart or not, we cannot say. It completely depends on their obedience and command training. They are clever like wolves but they can sometimes be stubborn. Don’t be surprised if they do not listen to our commands. They might be understanding it but they just do not want to perform. This can be one of the reasons why they rank 74th in the list of most smart dog breeds. Master of their own choice. Pawrry-not-Pawrry!
Siberian Husky is not a foodie breed. You can feed your Siberian Husky dog a combination of dry and wet food. A puppy needs 2 cups of high-quality dog food over three meals a day. However, a full grown Siberian Husky should be fed 1 cup each serving twice a day. You can also give him fruits, chicken, lamb, fish, or B.A.R.F standard dog food. Just keep in mind that Siberian Husky does not eat a lot. Do not panic if your puppy does not eat. They will consume only what they can burn.
Hell yes! Contrary to Siberian Husky’s fierce appearance, they are very affectionate dogs. They are ideal family mates and get along well with children. They do not have one favorite person, rather they love to get attention and give love to every member of the family. If that is not enough, they have enough love to even shower on strangers that come to meet you. Additionally, they make perfect dogs for people who suffer from anxiety or depression – THEURAUPETIC.
A full grown Siberian Husky will be no more than 18 months of age.
Their weight might vary with growing age. Some Huskies may continue to grow up until 3 years.
Yes, they do not shed a lot but they do shed. Most Siberian Husky shed immensely twice a year – mostly spring and fall. They blow their coat off and need regular brushing and frequent bath at this time of the year. Siberian Husky female shed during their mens and lactating period as well.
Nope, not even a bit! Siberian Husky is a very friendly dog – no...not just with his family but with every stranger, he meets on the way. They are not at all wary of strangers and if you that they will guard the house, you are absolutely wrong. Instead, you might be taken by surprise to see him fooling around and showing kisses at the burglar. Additionally, they are not at territorial which gives Siberian Husky another reason to be pathetic guard dogs.
Siberian Husky cannot live in extremely hot weather but can survive in moderately warm places. However, extra care should be taken. They have built-in winter protection – a thick, short undercoat to help retain body heat and a long outer which protects them from water and snow. Being primarily winter dogs, it gets very difficult for a Husky to thrive in extremely warm weather. However, their outer coat prevents them from sunlight while the inner coat maintains body-coolness making them slightly comfortable in moderately warm weather conditions.
Similar Breeds
That was all about the gorgeous blue-eyed Siberian Husky. We hope you enjoyed our article and it helped you know this breed a little better.
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