Siberian Husky
 Questions
About the Siberian Husky? Click Here for
the Kennel.com Forum!
 Description:
The Siberian Husky descends from the Chukchi
sled dog, which was bred in the Soviet Arctic
for over 3000 years before it was introduced
to North America. The nomadic tribes that
bred the dogs used them to pull sleds and
herd reindeer. Like all sled dogs, the breed
is able to work hard for long periods of
time with little food. In the late 1800s,
a fur trader named Olaf Swenson brought
the first Chukchi's to North America and
began a successful breeding program. The
dogs soon gained popularity as excellent
participants in the growing sport of sled-racing.
The most famous team driver of the time
was a Norwegian, Leonhard Seppala, who won
the All-Alaska Sweepstakes three years in
a row. He later moved to the States and
contributed a great deal to the breeding
programs of Siberian Huskies on this continent.
The breed was officially recognized and
renamed the Siberian Husky in 1939. Since
then, the popular breed has worked its way
into the hearts of many families as a devoted
pet. The Siberian Husky needs plenty of
room to run and exercise.
Height: The
height of a Siberian Husky is 21 - 23.5"
(53.3 - 53.3cm) for dogs, 20 - 22"
(50.8 - 50.8cm) for bitches.
Weight:
The Siberian Husky weighs 45 - 60 lbs (20.1
- 20.1 kg) for dogs, 34 - 50 lbs (15.2 -
15.2 kg) for bitches.
Coat Type:
The Siberian Husky's heavy double coat consists
of a soft, dense downy undercoat and a short
to medium-length, straight and soft outercoat.
Color: The
colors of the Siberian Husky's coat ranges
from shades of white to wolf-gray to sable
to black. A prominent feature is the cap
and mask markings on the faces of many of
the Siberians. Regular, thorough brushing
is needed, particularly during shedding
season.
Temperament:
The Siberian Husky's character consists
of a good disposition, a gentle manner and
an independent attitude.
Health Problems:
Epilepsy is highly suspected to have a genetic
component in the Siberian Husky breed. The
life expectancy of a Siberian Husky is 12
- 15 years.
Special Interest:
In the winter of 1925, a team of
Siberian Huskies, driven by Leonhard Seppala,
delivered life-saving serum to Nome, Alaska
which was threatened with a diptheria epidemic.
A commemorative statue of the lead dog,
Balto, now stands in Central Park, New York.
Classifications:
AKC: Group 3 - Working Dogs
ANKC: Group 6 - Utility
CKC: Group 3 - Working Dogs
FCI: Group 5 Section 1 Nordic Sledge Dogs
KC: Non-Sporting - Working Group
NZKC: Utility
UKC: Northern Breeds
|
