| Siberian Huskies descend from the Eskimo dog | | | | The AKC does not disqualify the Siberian Husky |
| which was a sledding dog used by the Inuit tribe in | | | | for certain traits that would disqualify other |
| the Arctic regions of Greenland, Alaska and | | | | breeds. These include bi-colored eyes, and |
| Canada. The Inuit tribe bred the most handsome, | | | | "snow-nose" or a hyper-pigmentation of the nose |
| bright-eyed huskies and relied on their dogs | | | | in which part is black and part is flesh-colored. The |
| heavily as pack animals, guard dogs and hunting | | | | reason the AKC does not disqualify the husky is |
| companions. The Siberian Husky was purebred in | | | | that coloring is not seen as being important in |
| Siberia for hundreds of years and was exported | | | | pulling a sled. |
| to Alaska in 1909 to use for sled-racing. Today's | | | | Siberian Husky breeders try to retain both the |
| Siberian Huskies are bred to retain the strong | | | | attractive and utilitarian characteristics of the |
| bodies, bright eyes and intelligence that the Inuit | | | | breed. Because of the breed's natural tendency to |
| valued. The American Kennel Club recognized the | | | | be extremely active, huskies are not |
| Siberian Husky as a breed in 1930. | | | | recommended for everyone. Breeders will tell you |
| Modern Siberian Husky breeders attempt to retain | | | | that there are high numbers of Siberian Huskies |
| the attractive and utilitarian characteristics of the | | | | sitting in shelters and rescue centers because |
| breed. Siberian Huskies are members of the larger | | | | owners did not research the breed and could not |
| "Spitz" group of dogs and also have | | | | handle their dogs once grown into adulthood. The |
| characteristics of this group. Typical Spitz | | | | most common, problematic behavioral traits of |
| characteristics are high-set, pointed ears, thick, | | | | huskies are a tendency to run or escape, |
| double coats of fur (often white in part or whole), | | | | excessive howling, hyperactivity, inability to be left |
| a furry, sickle-shaped tail and wolf-like personality | | | | alone, stubbornness and shedding. |
| traits such as independence and suspicion. Siberian | | | | Finding good Siberian Husky breeders should begin |
| Husky traits include all of the Spitz traits as well | | | | in a northern climate. This breed is made for cold |
| as distinctive facial markings, medium sized | | | | weather and potential owners and breeders |
| compact bodies, blue or brown eyes (or one of | | | | should not reside in hot climates. Huskies can |
| each color) and an overall wolf-like appearance. | | | | withstand negative fifty-degree temperatures and |
| Other characteristics required by the American | | | | can suffer heatstroke in high temperatures. Word |
| Kennel Club include a height of twenty-one to | | | | of mouth, Internet searches, local veterinarians, |
| twenty-three and one half inches for males and | | | | and shelters are all good starting points for |
| twenty to twenty-one inches tall for females, a | | | | locating good, local Siberian Husky breeders. It is |
| weight of forty-five to sixty pounds for males) | | | | never acceptable to buy a dog of any breed |
| and thirty-five to fifty pounds for females, a | | | | from a pet store. A medium to large dog like the |
| scissors-bite (upper teeth closely overlapping | | | | Siberian Husky should not be caged or treated as |
| lower teeth), a smooth gait, a friendly, alert and | | | | merchandise that is shipped and sold to just |
| mischievous expression and an outgoing | | | | anyone. |
| personality. | | | | |