The Siberian Husky, a thickly coated, compact sled dog of medium size and exceptional endurance, was bred to work in packs, pulling modest loads at moderate speeds across huge icy areas. Siberian people are warm, meticulous, and dignified. The almond-shaped eyes of the sleek, medium-sized Siberian Husky can be brown or blue and sometimes both and communicate a perceptive but pleasant and even mischievous look. Siberians are recognized for their powerful but seemingly easy pace. They are quick and nimble-footed. They are notably smaller and lighter than their robust relative, the Alaskan Malamute, weighing no more than 60 pounds. They like family life and get along well with other dogs because they were born as pack dogs. The Sibes’ natural sociability makes them uninterested watchdogs. These are high-energy canines who can’t stop pursuing tiny animals, therefore secure running space is essential. The breed’s innate cleanliness, with little doggy stench, is one of its most appealing characteristics.
Siberian Husky
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height
21-23.5 inches (male)
20-22 inches (female)
Weight
45-60 pounds (male)
35-50 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
12-14 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
About the Breed

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
Exercise
Training
Nutrition
History
The compact physique, well-furred coat, erect ears, and strong, sickle-shaped tail of the Siberian Husky clearly reflect the breed’s northern heritage. The Chukchi people bred the breed’s forebears in northeastern Asia and kept them as companion dogs for their families as well as endurance sled dogs.
When shifting climate circumstances caused the semi-nomadic Chukchi to expand their hunting areas or perish, they rose to the occasion by inventing a sled dog capable of pulling light loads across huge expanses of frozen wasteland in sub-zero temperatures with minimal energy consumption. Because they were cut off from the rest of the world, the Chukchi were able to keep their sled teams pure for many generations. The canines they created were direct forerunners of today’s Siberian Husky.
Siberians first caught the public’s attention when they began winning sled races in the early 1900s, but they made headlines in 1925 when legendary musher Leonhard Seppala led a relay of Siberian Huskies 658 miles in only five and a half days to deliver a lifesaving serum to Nome, Alaska, where a diphtheria epidemic had broken out. The spectacular “serum run,” which was published breathlessly in newspapers all over the world, earned Siberians a worldwide following that hasn’t waned to this day. Balto, Seppala’s lead dog on the final stage of the journey, is still regarded as one of the most revered hero dogs in canine history, with a statue of him in New York City’s Central Park.
Throughout North America, mushers keep packs of sledding Siberians for fun and sport. Less daring breeders simply enjoy the companionship of this pleasant, kind companion.