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