Siberian Husky

TheSiberian Huskyis abreedof medium-sizedworkingsled dog. The breed belongs to theSpitzgenetic family. It is recognizable by its thickly furreddouble coat, erect triangular ears, and distinctive markings, and is smaller than the similar-lookingAlaskan Malamute.
Siberian Huskies originated inNortheast Asiawhere they are bred by theChukchi peopleas well as theKoryak,YukaghirandKamchadalpeople ofSiberiafor sled pulling and companionship.It is an active, energetic, resilient breed, whose ancestors lived in the extremely cold and harsh environment of the Siberian Arctic. William Goosak, a Russian fur trader, introduced them toNome, Alaska, during theNome Gold Rush, initially assled dogsto work the mining fields and for expeditions through otherwise impassable terrain.Today, the Siberian Husky is typically kept as a house pet, though they are still frequently used as sled dogs bycompetitiveand recreational mushers.
In 2015, aDNAstudy indicated that the Siberian Husky, theAlaskan Malamuteand theAlaskan huskyshare a close genetic relationship between each other and were related toChukotkasled dogs from Siberia. They were separate to the twoInuit dogs, theCanadian Eskimo Dogand theGreenland Dog. InNorth America, the Siberian Husky and the Malamute both had maintained their Siberian lineage and had contributed significantly to the Alaskan husky, which was developed through crossing withEuropeanbreeds.Siberian Huskies show a genetic affinity with historical East Siberian dogs and ancientLake Baikaldogs, and can be traced to a lineage which is over 9,500 years old.A genomic sample of today's Siberian Husky has emerged into four genetically distinct populations: show dogs, pet dogs, racing sled dogs and Seppala Siberian Huskies.
SeveralArcticdog breeds, including the Siberian, show a significant genetic closeness with the now-extinctTaimyrwolf ofNorth Asiadue toadmixture. These breeds are associated with high latitudes – the Siberian Husky and Greenland Dog, also associated with arctic human populations and to a lesser extent, theShar-PeiandFinnish Spitz. There is data to indicate admixture of between 1 and 3% between the Taymyr wolf population and the ancestral dog population of these four high-latitude breeds. This introgression could have provided early dogs living in high latitudes withphenotypic variationbeneficial for adaption to a new and challenging environment. It also indicates the ancestry of present-day dog breeds descends from more than one region.
The Siberian Husky was originally developed by the Chukchi people of theChukchi Peninsulain easternSiberia.They were brought to Nome, Alaska in 1908 to serve as working sled dogs, and were eventually developed and used forsled dog racing.
A Siberian Husky has a double coat that is thicker than that of most other dog breeds.It has two layers: a dense, finely wavyundercoatand a longer topcoat of thicker, straightguard hairs.It protects the dogs effectively against harsh Arctic winters, and also reflects heat in the summer. It is able to withstand temperatures as low as −50 to −60 °C (−58 to −76 °F). The undercoat is often absent duringshedding. Their thick coats require weekly grooming.An excessively long coat, sometimes referred to as a "wooly" or "woolie" coat, is considered afaultby the breed's standard as it lacks the thicker protection of the standard coat's guard hairs, obscures the dog's clear-cut outline, causes quicker overheating during serious harness work, and becomes easily matted and encrusted with snow and ice.
Siberian Huskies come in a variety of colors andpatterns, often with white paws and legs, facial markings, and tail tip. Example coat colors are black and white, copper-red and white, grey and white, pure white, and the rare "agouti" coat, though many individuals have blondish orpiebaldspotting. Some other individuals also have the "saddle back" pattern, in which black-tipped guard hairs are restricted to the saddle area while the head, haunches and shoulders are either light red or white. Striking masks, spectacles, and other facial markings occur in wide variety. All coat colors from black to pure white are allowed.Merlecoat patterns are not permitted by theAmerican Kennel Club(AKC) andThe Kennel Club(KC).This pattern is often associated with health issues and impure breeding.
The American Kennel Club describes the Siberian Husky's eyes as "an almond shape, moderately spaced and set slightly obliquely". The AKC breed standard is that eyes may be brown, blue or black; one of each or particoloured are acceptable (complete isheterochromia). These eye-color combinations are considered acceptable by the American Kennel Club. The parti-color does not affect the vision of the dog.
Show-quality dogs are preferred to have neither pointed nor square noses. The nose is black in gray dogs, tan in black dogs, liver in copper-colored dogs, and may be light tan in white dogs. In some instances, Siberian Huskies can exhibit what is called "snow nose" or "winter nose". This condition is calledhypopigmentationin animals. "Snow nose" is acceptable in the show ring.
Siberian Husky tails are heavily furred; these dogs will often curl up with their tails over their faces and noses in order to provide additional warmth. When curled up to sleep the Siberian Husky will cover its nose for warmth, often referred to as the "Siberian Swirl". The AKC recommends the tail should be expressive, held low when the dog is relaxed, and curved upward in a "sickle" shape when excited or interested in something.
The breed standard indicates that the males of the breed are ideally between 20 and 24 inches (51 and 61 cm) tall at thewithersand weighing between 45 and 60 pounds (20 and 27 kg).Females are smaller, growing to between 19 and 23 inches (48 and 58 cm) tall at thewithersand weighing between 35 and 50 pounds (16 and 23 kg).The people of Nome referred to Siberian Huskies as "Siberian Rats" due to their size of 40–50 lb (18–23 kg), versus the Alaskan Malamute's size of 75–85 lb (34–39 kg).
The Husky usuallyhowlsinstead of barking.They have been described asescape artists, which can include digging under, chewing through, or even jumping over fences.
TheASPCAclassifies the breed as good with children. It also states they exhibit high energy indoors, have special exercise needs, and may be destructive "without proper care".
A 6 ft (1.83 m) fence is recommended for this breed as a pet, although some have been known to overcome fences as high as 8 ft (2.44 m).Electricpet fencingmay not be effective.They need the frequent companionship of people and other dogs, and their need to feel as part of apackis very strong.
The character of the Siberian Husky is friendly and gentle.A study found an association with a gene in the breed and impulsivity, inattention, and high activity.
Siberian Huskies were ranked 77th out of 138 compared breeds for their intelligence by canine psychologistStanley Coren.However, the rankings in Coren's published work utilized only one of three defined forms ofdog intelligence, "Working and Obedience Intelligence", which focused on trainability—a dog's ability to follow direction and commands in a direct context, specifically by trial judges in a controlled course setting.
A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 11.9 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 forcrossbreeds.Health issues in the breed are mainly genetic, such as seizures and defects of the eye (juvenile cataracts,corneal dystrophy,canine glaucomaandprogressive retinal atrophy) and congenital laryngeal paralysis.Hip dysplasiais not often found in this breed; however, as with many medium or larger-sized canines, it can occur.TheOrthopedic Foundation for Animalscurrently has the Siberian Husky ranked 155th out of a possible 160 breeds at risk for hip dysplasia, with only two percent of tested Siberian Huskies showing dysplasia.
Siberian Huskies used for sled racing may also be prone to other ailments, such asgastric disease,bronchitisor bronchopulmonary ailments ("ski asthma"),andgastric erosionsorulcerations.
The Siberian Husky is one of the more commonly affected breeds forX-linked progressive retinal atrophy. The condition is caused by a mutation in theRPGRgene in the breed.
Modern Siberian Huskies registered in the US are almost entirely the descendants of the 1930 Siberia imports and ofLeonhard Seppala's dogs, particularlyTogo.The limited number of registered foundational dogs has led to some discussion about their vulnerability to thefounder effect.
TheChukotka Sled Dogis considered the progenitor to the Siberian Husky. Developed by theChukchi peopleof Russia, Chukotka sled dog teams have been used since prehistoric times to pulls sleds in harsh conditions, such as hunting sea mammals on oceanicpack ice.
From the 1890s to the 1930s, sled dogs from northeast Siberia and especially Chukotka sled dogs were actively imported in vast numbers toAlaska, to transport gold miners to the Yukon, first as part of theKlondike Gold Rush,then later the "All-Alaska Sweepstakes",a 408-mile (657-km) distance dog sled race fromNome, toCandle, and back. At this time, "Esquimaux" or "Eskimo" was a common pejorative term for native Arctic inhabitants with many dialectal permutations including Uskee, Uskimay and Huskemaw. Thus dogs used by Arctic people were the dogs of the Huskies, the Huskie's dogs, and eventually simply the husky dogs.Canadian and American settlers, not well versed on Russian geography, would distinguish the Chukotka imports by referring to them as Siberian huskies as Chukotka is part of Siberia.
Smaller, faster and more enduring than the 100- to 120-pound (45- to 54-kg) freighting dogs then in general use, they immediately dominated the Sweepstakes race.Leonhard Seppala, the foremost breeder of Siberian sled dogs of the time, participated in competitions from 1909 to the mid-1920s with a number of championships to his name.
On February 3, 1925,Gunnar Kaasenwas the final musher in the1925 serum run to Nometo deliverdiphtheriaserum fromNenana, over 600 miles to Nome. This was a group effort by several sled dog teams and mushers, with the longest (264 miles or 422 km) and most dangerous segment of the run covered byLeonhard Seppalaand his sled team lead dogTogo. The event is depicted in the 2019 filmTogo. A measure of this is also depicted in the 1995 animated filmBalto; the name of Gunnar Kaasen's lead dog in his sled team wasBalto, although unlike the real dog,Balto the characterwas portrayed as awolf-dogin the film. In honor of this lead dog,a bronze statuewas erected atCentral Parkin New York City. The plaque upon it is inscribed,
Siberian huskies gained mass popularity with the story of the "Great Race of Mercy", the 1925 serum run to Nome, featuring Balto and Togo. Although Balto is considered the more famous, being the dog that delivered the serum to Nome after running the final 53-mile leg, it was Togo who made the longest run of the relay, guiding his musher Leonhard Seppala on a 261-mile journey that included crossing the deadlyNorton Soundto Golovin,and who ultimately became a foundation dog for the Siberian Husky breed, through his progeny Toto, Molinka, Kingeak, Ammoro, Sepp III, and Togo II.
In 1930, exportation of the dogs from Siberia was halted.The same year saw recognition of the Siberian Husky by the American Kennel Club.Nine years later, the breed was first registered in Canada. TheUnited Kennel Clubrecognized the breed in 1938 as the "Arctic Husky", changing the name to Siberian Husky in 1991.Seppala owned a kennel in Alaska before moving to New England, where he became partners with Elizabeth Ricker. The two co-owned the Poland Springs kennel and began to race and exhibit their dogs all over the Northeast. The kennel was sold to Canadian Harry Wheeler in 1931, following Seppala's return to Alaska
The breed's foundation stock per records and studbooks consists of:
As the breed was beginning to come to prominence, in 1933 Navy Rear AdmiralRichard E. Byrdbrought about 50 Siberian Huskies with him on an expedition in which he hoped to journey around the 16,000-mile coast ofAntarctica. Many of the dogs were bred and trained at Chinook Kennels in New Hampshire, owned by Eva Seeley. CalledOperation Highjump, the historic trek proved the worth of the Siberian Husky due to its compact size and great speed.Siberian Huskies also served in theUnited States Army's Arctic Search and Rescue Unit of theAir Transport CommandduringWorld War II.Their popularity was sustained into the 21st century. They were ranked 16th among American Kennel Club registrants in 2012,rising to 14th place in 2013.
Huskies were extensively used as sled dogs by theBritish Antarctic Surveyin Antarctica between 1945 and 1994.A bronze monument to all of BAS's dog teams is outside its Cambridge headquarters, with a plaque listing all the dogs' names.
In 1960, theUS Armyundertook a project to construct an under the ice facility for defense and space research, Camp Century, part ofProject Iceworminvolved a 150+ crew who also brought with them an unofficial mascot, a Siberian Husky named Mukluk.
Due to their high popularity combining with their high physical and mental needs, Siberians are abandoned or surrendered to shelters at high rates by new owners who do not research them fully and find themselves unable to care for them. Many decide on the breed for their looks and mythos in pop culture, and purchase pups from backyard breeders or puppy mills who do not have breeder-return contracts that responsible breeders will, designed to keep the breed out of shelters.
Sled dogs that werebred and kept by the Chukchitribes of Siberia were thought to have gone extinct, butBenedict Allen, writing forGeographicalmagazine in 2006 after visiting the region, reported their survival. His description of the breeding practiced by the Chukchi mentions selection for obedience, endurance, amiable disposition, and sizing that enabled families to support them without undue difficulty.
Originally, huskies were used assled dogsin the polar regions. One can differentiate huskies from otherdog typesby their fast pulling-style. Modern racing huskies (also known as Alaskan huskies) represent an ever-changingcrossbreedof the fastest dogs. Humans use huskies insled-dog racing. Various companies have marketed tourist treks with dog sledges for adventure travelers in snow regions.Huskies are also kept as pets, and groups work to find new pet homes for retired racing and adventure-trekking dogs.
Many huskies, especially Siberian Huskies, are consideredworking dogsand are often high-energy. Exercise is extremely important for the physical and mental health of these kinds of dogs and it can also prompt a strong bond between the owner and dog.Since many owners now have huskies as pets in settings that are not ideal for sledding, other activities have been found that are good for the dog and fun for the owner.