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Siberian Huskies are strong work dogs that were originally developed to pull sleds and herd reindeer in Siberia. This breed was brought to Alaska in the early 1900s and used as work dogs since they were hardy dogs that were happy to work and had tremendous stamina. They were often used in packs to pull sleds of valuable supplies and medicine through the snowy Alaskan terrain. Admiral Byrd even used some of these dogs during his explorations in Antarctica. These dogs are able to withstand temperatures as low as 50-75 degrees below 0 on the Fahrenheit scale and about 50-60 degrees below 0 on the Celsius scale.
Siberian Huskies have large feet with hair between their toes that give them excellent traction on ice and snow. Their coats come in various colors but their faces and underbodies are typically white. Siberian Huskies often have eyes of mismatched colors. Males typically weigh about 45-60 pounds (20-27 kg) and are about 21-24 inches tall. Females are somewhat smaller weighing 35-50 pounds (16-23 kg) and measuring about 20-22 inches (51-56 cm) tall.
Despite their large size and intimidating appearance, these dogs do not make very good watchdogs since they are basically friendly and do not bark much. Siberian Huskies are good-natured, playful, affectionate, and are very good around children, which makes them a good choice for a family pet. They do have a tendency to be a bit mischievous and should be trained at a young age. Siberian Huskies are very intelligent and can be trained with the use of patience, consistency, and understanding. They will obey commands but they also may try to take advantage of a situation as well. Housebreaking may be difficult but can be successfully accomplished. Siberian Huskies get bored easily and may howl if left alone for long periods of time. One way to curb this is to have at least two dogs so they each will have a companion and be less inclined to become destructive. Siberian Huskies are basically healthy dogs aside from hip dysplasia, occasional eye problems, and occasional zinc responsive dermatitis. They typically live to be between 12 and 15 years old.
To maintain the medium length coat it is recommended that Siberian Husky owners brush the coat at least twice a week. The thick undercoat sheds in clumps twice per year and need special attention during the molting season. Bathing is a monumental task and is often not necessary. To help keep the coat looking clean an occasional dry shampoo treatment may be used. It is important to keep this dog’s nails clipped on a regular basis as well. Siberian Huskies are relatively active dogs that prefer to have open spaces to roam and may not be well suited to live in an apartment or condominium. They require vigorous exercise daily to prevent them from become restless. High fences with the wire being buried in the ground are recommended since Siberian Huskies are known to try and dig their way out of a yard to go off and hunt.
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