Siberian Husky

Loyal / Outgoing / mischievous

Working Group >>

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

Affectionate With Family

Independent Lovey-Dovey
100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

Not Recommended Good With Children
100% 100%

A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
100% 100%

How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

No Shedding Hair Everywhere
80% 80%

How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

Monthly Daily
40% 40%

How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
20% 20%

How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded

Curly

Double

Hairless

Rough

Silky

Smooth

Wavy

Wiry

Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long

Medium

Short

How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
100% 100%

How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
100% 100%

How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
20% 20%

A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
80% 80%

How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

Self-Willed Eager to Please
60% 60%

How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

Couch Potato High Energy
100% 100%

The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

Only To Alert Very Vocal
100% 100%

How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
80% 80%

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

Independent Lovey-Dovey
100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

Not Recommended Good With Children
100% 100%

A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
100% 100%

How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

No Shedding Hair Everywhere
80% 80%

How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

Monthly Daily
40% 40%

How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
20% 20%

How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded

Curly

Double

Hairless

Rough

Silky

Smooth

Wavy

Wiry

Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long

Medium

Short

How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
100% 100%

How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
100% 100%

How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
20% 20%

A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
80% 80%

How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

Self-Willed Eager to Please
60% 60%

How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

Couch Potato High Energy
100% 100%

The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

Only To Alert Very Vocal
100% 100%

How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
80% 80%

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

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-Huskies-together-outdoors-in-the-winter

What To Expect When Caring For a Siberian Husky

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

The Siberian Husky, fortunately, is a relatively healthy breed. Responsible breeders examine their breeding stock for health issues such as juvenile cataracts, and the Siberian Husky group of America, the breed's national parent group, has strong procedures in place to assist reduce reported incidences. All Siberians who may be used in a breeding program should be evaluated by a canine ophthalmologist beginning at 12 months of age. The exam is then repeated every year. New screenings and tests are continually being developed to assist breeders in choosing a possible dam and sire. Knowledgeable breeding procedures ensure the breed's future health. Owners of working Siberians must regularly monitor each dog in order to notice when anything isn't right.

Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:

Hip Evaluation
Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Grooming

Siberian Huskies are thought to be a 'natural' breed. They are exceptionally self-cleaning and sometimes require only a few baths each year, unless they are competing in conformation dog contests. Weekly brushings aid in the maintenance of the coat and skin. Siberians have a double coat that includes an undercoat and guard hair. The undercoat sheds twice a year, and it is critical to 'rake out' the old coat with a pin brush and metal comb. Keep an eye on the length of your nails and keep them cut to avoid foot troubles. For the best presentation, Siberians competing in conformation require more meticulous grooming.

Exercise

Siberians are energetic, athletic dogs who require a lot of exercise. They are a working breed and are happiest when they have a task to do. Regular physical and mental activity is essential, and doing activities together enhances the link between dog and owner. Siberians were bred to run and will do so at any opportunity; always keep the dog on a leash, in a harness, or in a fenced yard.

Training

Siberians are active, athletic dogs who need a lot of exercises. They are a working breed who thrives when they have a mission to complete. Regular physical and mental activity is necessary, and participating in activities together strengthens the bond between dog and owner. Siberians were bred to run and will do so whenever they get the chance; keep the dog on a leash, in a harness, or in a fenced yard at all times.

Nutrition

High-quality dog food is required for the Siberian's skin and coat to remain healthy. Depending on the level of activity, the working Siberian requires adjustments in the level of protein in the meal. In the summer, a lower protein content, approximately 20%, may be appropriate, whereas a dog working in a harness in the winter may require 32% protein. Keep an eye on each Siberian and change the amount and type of food as needed. Take caution not to overfeed. Keep track of each dog's weight and be picky about supplements.

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.