Siberian Husky

The Siberian husky puppies are a working dog breed that was evolved in Siberia by the Chukchi people, who regarded it as a companion, sled dog, and guard dog. In 1909, it was brought to Alaska for sled-dog races and soon, it became established as a consistent winner. A graceful dog with a soft coat, erect ears, and a dense, the Siberian husky puppies stands 20 - 24 inches (51 to 61 cm) and weighs about 35 to 60 pounds (16 to 27 kg). Usually, it is tan, gray, or white and black, and it can have head markings resembling a cap, spectacles, or mask. In Siberia, the breed, kept pure for hundreds of years, is noted for its intelligence and gentle temperament.

Lineage

Originally, the Siberian Husky puppies were developed by the Chukchi people of the Chukchi Peninsula in the eastern Siberia region. They were brought to Alaska, Nome, in 1908 to serve as working sled dogs, and they were eventually developed and used for sled dog racing. And, in 2015, a DNA study has indicated that the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan husky and the Alaskan Malamute share a close genetic relationship with each other and were related to Chukotka sled dogs from the Siberia region.

They were also distinguished from the two Inuit dogs, the Greenland Dog and the Canadian Eskimo Dog. In North America, the Malamute and the Siberian Husky both retained their Siberian ancestors and made major contributions to the Alaskan husky, which was produced by crossbreeding with European breeds.

Many Arctic dog breeds, including the Siberian, exhibit a significant genetic closeness with the now-extinct Taimyr wolf of North Asia because of admixture. These specific breeds are associated with high latitudes - the Greenland Dog and the Siberian baby Husky, also associated with arctic human populations and the Finnish Spitz and Shar-Pei, to a lesser extent.

There is data to represent the admixture of between 1-3% between the Taymyr wolf population and the ancestral dog population of all these four high-latitude breeds. This introgression could have provided early dogs living in higher latitudes with the phenotypic variation beneficial for adaptation to a challenging and new environment. In addition, it indicates the ancestry of present-day dog breeds descends from more than one region.

Description

Coat

A Siberian Husky holds a double coat that is thicker than that of many other dog breeds. It has two layers: a dense, finely wavy undercoat including straight guard hairs and a longer topcoat of thicker. It effectively protects the dogs against harsh Arctic winters and reflects heat in the summer. It is able to withstand temperatures as low as −50 to −60 °C (it means −58 to −76 °F). Often, the undercoat is absent during shedding. Their thick coats need weekly grooming.

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Siberian Huskies usually come in a wide range of patterns and colors, usually having white legs and paws, facial markings, and tail tips. The most common coats are white and black, then less common grey and white, pure white, copper-red and white, and the rare "agouti" coat, though several individuals hold blondish or piebald spotting.

A few other individuals also hold the "saddleback" pattern, where black-tipped guard hairs are restricted to the saddle area while the haunches, head, and shoulders are either white or light red. Spectacles, striking masks, including other facial markings occur in a wide variety. All the coat colors from black to pure white can be allowed. Merle coat patterns are not permitted by The Kennel Club (KC) and the American Kennel Club (AKC). Often, this pattern is associated with impure breeding and other health issues.

Nose

Show-quality dogs are preferred to contain neither pointed nor square noses. The nose is tan in black dogs, the liver in copper-colored dogs, black in gray dogs, and maybe light tan in white dogs. In a few instances, Siberian Huskies may exhibit what is called "winter nose" or "snow nose." In animals, this condition is known as hypopigmentation and the "snow nose" is acceptable in the show ring.

Tail

Female Siberian Husky curled up to sleep with its tail warming its nose. Siberian Husky tails are furred heavily and often; these dogs will curl up with their tails over their noses and faces in order to provide additional warmth. As figured, when curled up to sleep, the Siberian Husky will cover its nose for warmth, which is often called "Siberian Swirl." The tail should be expressive, held low when this dog is relaxed, and curved upward in the "sickle" shape when interested or excited about something.

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Size

The breed standard shows that the males of the breed are ideally between 20 to 24 inches (51 to 61 cm) tall at the withers and weighing between 45 to 60 pounds (20 to 27 kg). The females are smaller by growing to between 19 to 23 inches (48 to 58 cm) tall at the withers, and they weigh between 35 to 50 pounds (or 16 to 23 kg). The people of Nome are called Siberian Huskies "Siberian Rats" because of their size of 40–50 lb (18–23 kg), versus the Alaskan Malamute's size of 75–85 lb (34–39 kg).

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Behavior

Usually, the Husky howls instead of barking. They have been defined as escape artists, which may include chewing through, digging under, or even jumping over fences.

Because the Siberian Husky baby had been raised by the Chukchi in a family setting and not left to fend for themselves, they could be trusted with the children. The ASPCA usually classifies the breed as good with the children. Also, it states they exhibit high energy indoors, hold special exercise needs, and can be destructive "without proper care."

Siberian Huskies hold a high prey drive because of the Chukchi allowing them to roam free in the summer. The dogs hunted in the packs and preyed on birds, wild cats, and squirrels, but with training, maybe trusted with the other small animals. They would only return to the Chukchi villages when the food became scarce and snow returned. Still, their hunting instincts may be found in the breed nowadays.

As a pet, a 6 foot (1.83 m) fence is suggested, however some have been known to breach fences as high as 8 ft (2.44 m). Electric pet fencing may not be effective. They need the frequent companionship of people and other dogs, and their need to feel like part of a pack is very strong.

The Siberian Husky's character is gentle and friendly. The baby Husky cannot be used either as a guard dog or hunting. Because of the peculiarities of their psyche, dogs have no aggression towards the animals or humans at all. Often, the dog shows independence in addition, which is a disadvantage for the service dogs. Attempting to teach the Siberian Huskies aggressive behavior may lead to mental problems in the dog.

Also, it may be dangerous for the owner because the Siberian baby Husky is a strong and big dog. The dog is intelligent but may be stubborn due to its independence, inattention, and impulsivity. To achieve obedience, it is needed to start training at an early age.

Siberian Huskies were ranked 77th out of 138 compared breeds for their specific intelligence by canine psychologist Stanley Coren. However, Coren's rankings published work utilized only one of three defined forms of dog intelligence, "Obedience Intelligence and Working," which focused on the ability of dogs to follow commands and direction in a direct context, specifically by trial judges in a controlled course setting.

The work of Siberian Huskies as sled dogs, with little active direction from a driver and drivers relying on the dogs to make their own decisions in poor conditions, likely employs the remaining two forms, "Adaptive Intelligence" and "Instinctive Intelligence," to a much greater extent, making their ranking on this list potentially misleading.

Health

A 1999 ASPCA publication says the average lifespan of a Siberian Husky is about 12 to 14 years. Mainly, the health issues in the breed are genetic, such as seizures and eye defects (corneal dystrophy, juvenile cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and canine glaucoma), including congenital laryngeal paralysis.

Often hip dysplasia is not found in this breed; however, as with several medium or larger-sized canines, it can take place. Currently, the Orthopedic Foundation for the Animals has the Siberian Husky ranked 155th out of a possible 160 breeds at risk for hip dysplasia, with only 2% of tested Siberian Huskies exhibiting dysplasia.

Siberian Huskies used for sled racing can also be prone to other ailments, such as bronchitis or bronchopulmonary ailments ("ski asthma"), gastric disease, and ulcerations or gastric erosions.

Modern Siberian Huskies registered in the United States are largely the descendants of the 1930 Siberia imports and of the dogs of Leonhard Seppala, specifically Togo. The limited number of registered foundational dogs has led to a few discussions about their vulnerability to the founder effect.

Fun Facts of Siberian Huskies

Siberian huskies are movie stars. There are 3 various animated films about Balto; in 1925, the famous Siberian led the final leg of "serum run" to Nome, Alaska. Breeder Leonhard Seppala and Musher had the other lead Siberian, Togo, who actually traveled 250 miles plus of that trip and was eventually immortalized in the 2019 live-action feature Togo by featuring one of his descendants as Diesel in the starring role.