Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies are the 12th most popular dog breed in the United States.

The Siberian Husky breed originated in northeast Asia. These dogs were kept by the Chukchi people as both family pets and working sled dogs. At the turn of the 20th century, this breed gained notoriety for winning sledding races, but their real rise to fame began in 1925 when Gunnar Kaasen rushed medication to Nome, Alaska. His sled dog team raced 658 miles across the frozen tundra in five days to deliver the serum that would bring an end to the diphtheria epidemic. His lead sled dog, Balto, is still regarded as one of history’s greatest canine heroes and even has a commemorative statue in Central Park in New York City.

Size and Weight

Siberian Huskies are considered medium-sized dogs. They stand between 20 and 24 inches high and can weigh anywhere from 35 to 60 pounds, with males being slightly larger than females.

Health and Temperament

The Siberian Husky is a healthy breed, but one a common problem they face is juvenile cataracts. An annual visit for a check-up with a canine ophthalmologist should be scheduled every year.

Siberian Huskies are highly intelligent and love the companionship of both humans and other dogs. This breed is outgoing, friendly, and trusting. Therefore, they will not make a good guard dog; they will accept any stranger as a new friend, which makes them incredibly ill-suited to protect the home. These dogs are not aggressive towards other dogs, which makes them an excellent fit for a multi-dog household. They do, however, have a high prey drive, so they should not share a home with cats or other small animals.

Due to their friendly, non-aggressive nature and energetic spirit, huskies make great pets for children. As with any breed, owners should teach both child and dog how to interact safely with each other and remember not to leave them unsupervised to prevent accidental injuries.

Caring for a Siberian Husky

Training

These dogs are notoriously difficult to train, so obedience classes should be strongly considered. These dogs are working dogs and are happiest when they have a job to do, so harness training could be a fun activity for both dog and owner to enjoy together. It’s also important to note that no matter how well you think you’ve trained your husky, they should never be allowed off-leash in an unsecured area. Even a well-trained husky should never be allowed off-lead unless they are in a secured area. They are also known for digging. Burying concrete along the fence line can prevent a curious dog from digging out.

Diet

Siberian Huskies benefit greatly from high-quality food. Their nutritional needs vary based on their activity levels. For example, if your dog is a family pet that only gets breed-required activity, he will only need a protein level of about 20 percent, but a working husky will need its protein level to be around 32 percent. Look for dog food with taurine and vitamin A for eye health.

Exercise

This breed is known for its high energy levels. Veterinarians recommend a minimum of two hours of exercise each day. Huskies enjoy hiking, agility training, or daily walks. Failure to provide adequate exercise can lead to destructive behavior.

Grooming

Siberian Huskies are relatively clean dogs without much odor. While they don’t require frequent baths, they should be brushed weekly to keep their coat looking healthy. They also lose their thick undercoats twice a year in a process called blowing, during which time they need to be brushed every day to prevent matting and a build-up of hair around the house.

Siberian Huskies as Sled Dogs

Siberian Huskies have a lot of physical and temperamental traits that make them exceptional sled dogs. On the physical side, they have heavy, double-layered coats that keep them warm and dry in a snowy environment. They also have incredible endurance, which allows them to run great distances without tiring.

The temperamental trait that makes them great sled dogs is their innate ability to work as a pack. When the musher establishes themselves as leader of the pack, Siberian Huskies become eager to please their leader and work as a team to get the job done. These friendly dogs enjoy working closely with humans and other canines, and they rarely have any issues with aggression toward their packmates.