Siberian Husky

Other names: Husky, Chukcha, Chuksha, Sibe

Siberian Husky

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 Siberian Husky

Life expectancy :

7

19

12

14

Temperament :

Affectionate Hunter

Size :

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 Siberian 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

    White
    Black

    Type of coat

    Long

    Eye colour

    Blue
    Brown
    Odd-eyed

    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.

    Temperament

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      Affectionate

      This dog is very affectionate with members of his social group, who are the apple of his eye. Since the Siberian Husky is the ultimate pack dog, he needs to feel surrounded in order to be at peace.

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      Playful

      The Siberian Husky pup is playful but becomes less so as he gets older. In fact, he usually tends to do his activities on his own (as long as knows he is surrounded), rather than to play with members of his social group (human or canine).

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      Calm

      Even though he is very active, the Siberian Husky can be gentle and calm at home, especially if all his needs have been met.

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      Intelligent

      The Siberian Husky is intelligent- he quickly catches on to the orders he receives but does not follow them blindly if the directions do not seem coherent to him. He needs to fully grasp the logic of things before cooperating- in this sense, he is particularly sharp.

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      Hunter

      Very much the predator, this Siberian dog’s primitive side has kept his strong hunting instinct intact. It is therefore tricky to walk your Husky in total freedom, as he will only return to his master once he has decided to do so himself.

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      Fearful / wary of strangers

      Very cheerful and chirpy with everyone, the notion of aggressivity is alien to the Husky. It is only when he feels that his family may be in danger that he can reveal his suspicious and vicious side, towards a potential intruder for instance.

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      Independent

      He is very affectionate with his master, but like any respectable primitive dog, he is also very independent. Warning: the Siberian Husky is independent but not at all a lone wolf!

      Behaviour of the Siberian Husky

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        Tolerates solitude

        He was originally a sled, and thereby pack dog. He needs to feel part of a group and have a substantial social life (including either dogs or humans). He is not cut out for loneliness in the least, and does not do well during his owners’ absences or when isolated.

      • 33%

        Easy to train / obedience

        The Siberian Husky clearly isn’t a master of obedience. He needs to be disciplined from a young age- this beautiful nordic dog needs to start being trained while still a pup.

        His independent nature makes him question his master’s commands all the time. It is of utmost necessity that a relationship based on mutual respect and trust is established in order to obtain this primitive dog’s full cooperation. 

        It would be futile to want to turn him into a ‘circus dog’, since he is generally not keen on carrying a wide variety of tasks out. The very basics of dog training (heel, hailing, static position) will have to consolidate over and over again throughout his whole life- with Huskies nothing is ever completely mastered.

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        Barking

        Just as in the case of his primitive cousins, the Siberian Husky sooner has a tendency to ‘do the wolf’- that is to say, he howls rather than barks. He may not be a barker, but remains ‘talkative’ in his own way, especially when he’s bored or feels lonely.

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        Tendency to run away

        This is one of the dog’s biggest vices: he is very prone to running away. The Siberian Husky doesn’t really have a strong notion of territory: he feels right at home everywhere, and sees no limits. It is therefore very importantly to secure the perimeter as best as possible with a tall and resistant fence.

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