Husky
Other names: Husky, Chukcha, Chuksha, Sibe

In Europe, the Siberian Husky is often employed in sled-dog competitions, but it is more commonly chosen as a companion dog. This very beautiful and gentle dog is the ideal companion to all those who like primitive breeds, as it remains the closest breed related to the wolf. He is absolutely harmless and essentially friendly towards everyone (hence not a suitable candidate for a watchdog). Having said this, he is very independent, and a born predator. You must therefore become very familiar with the breed’s particularities before making a choice.
Key facts about the Husky
Origins and history
He has very ancient, nordic roots- Siberian, to be precise (hence the name). It is the indigenous Chukchie people who have created the breed, as they were in need of animals capable of hauling sleds, hunting, and keeping their children entertained. Legend has it that the Siberian Husky is born out of a union between a wolf and the moon. This is allegedly why the dog resembles a wolf, has a crescent-shaped tail, and howls when there’s a full moon… But the selective breeding of this dog has actually started in the United States, and was initiated by Eva ‘Short’ Seeley, who can be considered the ‘mother’ of this breed as well as the Alaskan Malamute. The American Kennel Club was the first to officially recognise the breed in 1930- the breed’s own first club saw the light of day eight years later. In the UK, it has been recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club in the 1970s.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 5 - Spitz and primitive types
Section
Section 1 : Nordic Sledge Dogs
Physical characteristics of the Husky
Adult size
Female : Between 20 and 22 in
Male : Between 21 and 24 in
Weight
Female : Between 33 and 51 lb
Male : Between 44 and 62 lb
Coat colour
The Siberian Husky can be white, black, or all of the possible shades in between those two colours, except merle.
Type of coat
The hair is medium-long.
The topcoat is straight and lies slightly flat without ever being hard to the touch. The undercoat is soft and dense.
Eye colour
They can be blue, brown, china or parti-coloured.
Description
The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized dog, proportionately built with a slender and elegant appearance. The skull is slightly round; the muzzle, of medium size, tapers down towards the nose. The eyes are almond-shaped, slightly oblique. The ears are small, triangular, worn upright, set high and close to one another- they are slightly round at the tip, evenly covered in hair, even on the inside. The limbs are straight and muscular. The tail is sickle-shaped: it should not touch the back nor curl over to the side.
Good to know
The icy blue eyes which have earned this dog a certain claim to fame are not ‘obligatory’ and do not raise the value of a specimen. It is not the result of eye deterioration either, as some sources insist.
The blue-eyed Siberian Husky is simply sought-after by the breed’s enthusiasts in particular.