The Siberian Husky was originally developed by the Chukchi people of northeastern Siberia as an endurance sled dog. They were also used to herd reindeer. In 1909, the first large numbers of these Chukchi dogs were brought to Alaska to compete in the long-distance All-Alaska Sweepstakes races, and the Alaskan dog drivers quickly recognized the ability of these small, compact dogs from Siberia.
In the winter of 1925, when a diphtheria epidemic broke out in the isolated town of Nome, Alaska, a relay of dog teams brought life-saving serum from distant Nenana. This heroic endeavor earned national prominence for the drivers and their dogs. One of these drivers, Leonhard Seppala, brought his team of Siberian Huskies, descendants of the original imports from Siberia, to the United States on a personal appearance tour. While in New England he competed in sled dog races and again proved the superiority of Siberian Huskies over the native dogs. The New England drivers and pioneer fanciers acquired foundation stock, earned AKC recognition for the breed in 1930, and founded the Siberian Husky Club of America in 1938.
No. The Siberian Husky is a domesticated pure bred dog and has been for many centuries. They are sometimes mistaken for wolves, and they are sometimes used in movies to depict wolves, but they are most certainly not wolves or part wolf.
This is called a "snow nose", and is fairly common in the breed. A snow nose is a reddish or pink marking on a black or liver colored nose. Snow nose can disappear over warmer months and reappear over the winter months. There is nothing wrong with a snow nose, and it is perfectly acceptable in the breed.
Yes. This is fairly common in the breed. One eye may be blue while the other is brown.
No. This is called a "pinto eye", a "parti eye", or a "split eye." It is also fairly common in the breed. One or both eyes may be all blue with a brown pie shaped wedge, or all brown with a blue wedge. At first glance, it may appear that there is something wrong with the eye but there is not. It is simply a matter if pigmentation. This too is perfectly acceptable in the breed.
Yes and no. Siberians are very intelligent dogs. They will often do things that surprise their owners. They can get into things that one might think are impossible. When Siberians are bored, they can become quite mischievous, inventive, and destructive. This is typical of working dogs. This is why it is so important to include the Siberian in family activities and give him plenty of attention and exercise.
Yes and no. Siberians are a very energetic breed. As a working dog, they need something to do, some way of challenging their intelligence and an outlet for their energy. If they are not provided one, they will find one for themselves.
No! Siberian Huskies are extremely intelligent working dogs. People often mistake the fact that they can be difficult to train as a sign of stupidity. One must keep the Siberian interested and challenge his intelligence in order to properly train him. A Siberian will probably know what you want him to do, he just may not want to do it!
Siberian Huskies can work and live in temperatures as low as 75 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.
As stated repeatedly throughout this document, Siberian Huskies are remarkably adaptable animals. So long as they have adequate shade, shelter, and water, the seem to do just fine in warmer climates. See next question.
The best approach to this problem is to select a dog from a reputable breeder in your area or that lives in an area with a similar climate to yours. These dogs will be well aclimated to the warmer weather than a Siberian Husky from a cooler climate. However, so long as the dog is well taken care of, brushed regularly, has plenty of water and shade, he or she will likely be just fine in your warm climate. Siberian Huskies are found all over the world, from the deep southern part of the United States, where it is very warm and humid, to South Africa, Russia, New Zeland, Austrailia, and Alaska. Literally all over the globe in every climate you can imagine.
They can be. It depends on how they are socialized as puppies. They have a very strong prey-drive, and if they are not socialized to smaller animals as puppies, they will likely kill most small animals they encounter (rabits, squirrels, cats, etc).
It is never a good idea to trust any dog around a small child unsupervised, no matter how docile the dog (and child) seem. Be extremely careful and supervise the dog and child. Gradually introduce the situation to both to make them both comfortable. This advice has nothing to do with the Siberian Husky breed in particular.
No. However, Epilepsy does occur in the breed. The siezures are not, generally speaking, life threatening, but if your dog does have a siezure, you should have your dog checked by a veterinarian to rule out the many other possible causes. If, in the end, Epilepsy is the diagnosis, siezures are usually controlable with medication (Dilantin or Phenobarbital are usually prescribed).
References
Books
Demidoff, Lorna, and Jennings, Michael. The Complete Siberian Husky, 1978, Howell Books.
Coppinger, Lorna and ISDRA. The World of Sled Dogs, 1977, Howell Book House.
In the winter of 1925, when a diphtheria epidemic broke out in the isolated town of Nome, Alaska, a relay of dog teams brought life-saving serum from distant Nenana. This heroic endeavor earned national prominence for the drivers and their dogs. One of these drivers, Leonhard Seppala, brought his team of Siberian Huskies, descendants of the original imports from Siberia, to the United States on a personal appearance tour. While in New England he competed in sled dog races and again proved the superiority of Siberian Huskies over the native dogs. The New England drivers and pioneer fanciers acquired foundation stock, earned AKC recognition for the breed in 1930, and founded the Siberian Husky Club of America in 1938.
Are Siberian Huskies part wolf?
No. The Siberian Husky is a domesticated pure bred dog and has been for many centuries. They are sometimes mistaken for wolves, and they are sometimes used in movies to depict wolves, but they are most certainly not wolves or part wolf.
Why are some Siberian noses partially pink and partially black?
This is called a "snow nose", and is fairly common in the breed. A snow nose is a reddish or pink marking on a black or liver colored nose. Snow nose can disappear over warmer months and reappear over the winter months. There is nothing wrong with a snow nose, and it is perfectly acceptable in the breed.
Funny siberian husky playing in leaves
Can Siberians have different colored eyes?
Yes. This is fairly common in the breed. One eye may be blue while the other is brown.
Is there something wrong with an eye that is both brown and blue?
No. This is called a "pinto eye", a "parti eye", or a "split eye." It is also fairly common in the breed. One or both eyes may be all blue with a brown pie shaped wedge, or all brown with a blue wedge. At first glance, it may appear that there is something wrong with the eye but there is not. It is simply a matter if pigmentation. This too is perfectly acceptable in the breed.
I've heard that Siberians are mischievous. Is this true?
Yes and no. Siberians are very intelligent dogs. They will often do things that surprise their owners. They can get into things that one might think are impossible. When Siberians are bored, they can become quite mischievous, inventive, and destructive. This is typical of working dogs. This is why it is so important to include the Siberian in family activities and give him plenty of attention and exercise.
I've heard that Siberians are high-strung. Is this true?
Yes and no. Siberians are a very energetic breed. As a working dog, they need something to do, some way of challenging their intelligence and an outlet for their energy. If they are not provided one, they will find one for themselves.
I've heard Siberians are dumb. Is that true?
No! Siberian Huskies are extremely intelligent working dogs. People often mistake the fact that they can be difficult to train as a sign of stupidity. One must keep the Siberian interested and challenge his intelligence in order to properly train him. A Siberian will probably know what you want him to do, he just may not want to do it!
Just how cold can a Siberian Husky live in?
Siberian Huskies can work and live in temperatures as low as 75 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.
What about heat?
As stated repeatedly throughout this document, Siberian Huskies are remarkably adaptable animals. So long as they have adequate shade, shelter, and water, the seem to do just fine in warmer climates. See next question.
I live in a hot part of the country. Will this be uncomfortable for my Siberian Husy?
The best approach to this problem is to select a dog from a reputable breeder in your area or that lives in an area with a similar climate to yours. These dogs will be well aclimated to the warmer weather than a Siberian Husky from a cooler climate. However, so long as the dog is well taken care of, brushed regularly, has plenty of water and shade, he or she will likely be just fine in your warm climate. Siberian Huskies are found all over the world, from the deep southern part of the United States, where it is very warm and humid, to South Africa, Russia, New Zeland, Austrailia, and Alaska. Literally all over the globe in every climate you can imagine.
I've been told that Siberian Huskies are "cat killers." Is this true?
They can be. It depends on how they are socialized as puppies. They have a very strong prey-drive, and if they are not socialized to smaller animals as puppies, they will likely kill most small animals they encounter (rabits, squirrels, cats, etc).
I have a newborn/small child. Is he/she safe around my Siberian Husky?
It is never a good idea to trust any dog around a small child unsupervised, no matter how docile the dog (and child) seem. Be extremely careful and supervise the dog and child. Gradually introduce the situation to both to make them both comfortable. This advice has nothing to do with the Siberian Husky breed in particular.
Are Siberian Huskies genetically pre-disposed to suffer from Epilepsy (siezures of unknown origin)?
No. However, Epilepsy does occur in the breed. The siezures are not, generally speaking, life threatening, but if your dog does have a siezure, you should have your dog checked by a veterinarian to rule out the many other possible causes. If, in the end, Epilepsy is the diagnosis, siezures are usually controlable with medication (Dilantin or Phenobarbital are usually prescribed).
References
Books
Demidoff, Lorna, and Jennings, Michael. The Complete Siberian Husky, 1978, Howell Books.
Coppinger, Lorna and ISDRA. The World of Sled Dogs, 1977, Howell Book House.
Very interesting article!we have owned, shown, and raced Siberians for more than twenty years!!{but we do not breed}We adore our Sibes & your advice is spot on,keep them occupied!! prospective owners {of any breed} should do their homework before buying,too many are ending up in welfare & rescue centres. One more thing you might find of interest our dogs were in the Tomb Raider movie, they were Lara Crofts team!!
I've had several Sibes, and have found that as with most all dog's, they mellow with age. That's not to say it's ok to leave the gate open though !
We have 2 Siberians. One will tear the house down to get in, if outside. And will tear the house down to get out, if in side. Deathly afraid of thunder and fireworks. The other is just as laid back as can be.
That is cool that they were in a movie! I had a huskey and i swear they are born with a sled on their back! He was a beautiful animal!
I was told you can unleash them... is that so?
Can't...
Thank you, White Wolf, My Nikki is a beautiful Husky. She can say about 20 words and always amazes me. She knows what I am saying and always has an answer. She also swears. I don't know where she got that from. She will tell you that she, "hates cats" and has been known to pinch them with her teeth when they walk by. She was an epilectic in her younger years but out grew it. She is black and white and has big blue eyes. I love her very much and she tells me that she loves me too.........unless she is mad at me and then she says, " I don't love you." Very funny dog.
@RG, your comment made me crack up because our two are similar but neither is afraid of storms thank God. in face our male, Meeko, loves to be in the rain as long as it's not a hard rain. Mya could care less about anything except chasing a cat or if it snows, sleeping in it!
Anonymous: about the unleashing - it's not recommended at all if you have a husky. they are trackers and wander to chase whatever it is they smell. i do know people who have trained theirs to be off leashed it's just not worth the risk for us. i wouldn't know what to do with myself if they got lost because of our own doing.
I love my huskys. When they are raised together they are very pack orientated. My daughter has three now and I have only one. A female named Raptor Lil-Lady. She was the nursemade of the pack and a lower ranking dog as far as her pack was concerned. To me she is a trusted friend and my constant companion
My husband and I have had huskies our entire lives but usually just one. When we got ours, we wanted two but then there was a foster who was pregnant and well, sibe puppies are impossibly irresistible! Now, we have four and I aptly named their new blog: My Mad Siberian Gulag. http://siberiangulag.wordpress.com I work at home and let me tell you 4 siberians 24/7 is an interesting life!
I agree with the Finnegans, people really need to think twice about a siberian husky. Even when you exercise them, they will still occasionally destroy anything and everything you hold dear. If it's valuable and you can not afford to lose it, do not keep it at home!
Karlyn, I love our little low ranking Mom. She was only 25 pounds when rescued and had been kept in a crate and bred for 5 years! She was pregnant with the Spawn of Hell, our Mighty Quinn but other than that misstep, she is the sweetest dog and the best on a leash!
My husband and I have had huskies our entire lives but usually just one. When we got ours, we wanted two but then there was a foster who was pregnant and well, sibe puppies are impossibly irresistible! Now, we have four and I aptly named their new blog: My Mad Siberian Gulag. http://siberiangulag.wordpress.com I work at home and let me tell you 4 siberians 24/7 is an interesting life!
I agree with the Finnegans, people really need to think twice about a siberian husky. Even when you exercise them, they will still occasionally destroy anything and everything you hold dear. If it's valuable and you can not afford to lose it, do not keep it at home!
Karlyn, I love our little low ranking Mom. She was only 25 pounds when rescued and had been kept in a crate and bred for 5 years! She was pregnant with the Spawn of Hell, our Mighty Quinn but other than that misstep, she is the sweetest dog and the best on a leash!
I have had Siberians for over 20 years, and I also rescue them. Each one is an individual, although the guidelines in this article are VERY good. Although NO dog should ever be left alone with a small child without thoroughly acclimating them first, Siberians were also used to keep the children warm at night. It is quite rare to find a Siberian who does not love children (usually these exceptions have been abused by children who were not taught by their parents).
And most are very prey-oriented (when you are from the most extreme environment on the planet and you see food, you eat it; you don't wait to see if it is okay with someone). I have known Siberians who were raised with cats and still couldn't be trusted with them. Best to keep cats indoors(where they do not kill the local songbirds) and have a room that they can escape to if necessary, i.e. I have a cat door into my bedroom.
my baby siberian husky Mishka is very docile and sweet, she has killed a couple of birds, but will lay there and just let you take it out of her mouth like anything else, she is just very gentle and full of love, she will try and kiss you to death lol. I agree, i would never let her off her leash, not only will she track and chase, but they love people and think everyone loves them and that they've made a new friend instantly, which is sweet, but not all people can be trusted either. You need to protect them. I live in a hot climate, Queensland Australia, and she has done quite well. In the hottest part of the year, I do come home from work at lunchtime and put the air-conditioner on for them, (2 other dogs and a cat), which they love. She also loves, loves,loves water, and she taught us that from swimming in every water bowl and bucket etc lol, solution, buy a kiddy pool, don't spend too much, we get a summer out of one, they like to dig at the bottom too as if finding something in the water, put toys in there too, ones that float and sink and they love it. It also acts like a huge water bowl, so when I was at work, I didn't worry that she had swum in her water bowl and they had no water left :) She also loves the trampoline and any bed, for some reason when it moves under her she gets very excited and jumps and bounces around while roowing her head off it is quite hilarious to watch, and she has such joy lol. Our other two dogs are a pure bred belgium shepherd (big fella all black) and a maltese x bichon, they are like family, the only thing was when we firts got the little maltese cross, Mishka was very jealous if my daughter picked the little puppy up and would jump up and try to pick her out of her arms and get quite upset, she soon learnt that Stormy wasn't hers, but she still motehrs her and tries to carry her around sometime lol, so I think she has very strong maternal instincts. When one comes inside and the others don't, they will go back out and round them up and try and get them to do what she wants, they are very smart, yet adotrable, beautiful animals that a very affectionate. They talk a lot at times and love to be talked back too, watch their faces and eyes lol. Anyway sorry, wrote heaps, but just love my baby!
I love the fact that the owners love their dog so much that they allow it to have fun with the pile of leaves ...I'm sure a lot of people in this world would tell the dog off after spending so long to rake the leaves.....Kudos to the owners and yayyyyyyyyyyy for the dog for allowing us to join in it's fun...It made me wish I was there rolling in the leaves too
that was awesome... its the little things in life that count... thanks for sharing.
from my one experience this breed is somewhat "high maintenance". The one we had broke all but the thickest chains and pulled most stakes out of the ground-they definitely need a kennel! Very affectionate and smart dogs and a beautiful animal for sure though!
I live in a hot climate QLD Australia and have a 5 year old Russet Sibe who I love dearly. She is mischevious, loving, funny, naughty, and a absolute joy. She is just starting her annual coat blow, always a fun time of year.....NOT! I agree with all the above comments especially about being off lead, I would never let Jarrah off lead, she would put her head down and run like the wind, even though she is trained. I have 2 cats, and Jarrah gets on with both cats, in fact they rule the house and often chase her out side if she gets too cheeky with them. Husky's are a lot of work, but are so worth every bit of effort. Jarrah is my best friend, and A joy to have around