Siberian Husky - Overview and History
Dog Breeds
The Siberian Husky, which has also been known as the Arctic Husky, the Siberian Dog, the Siberian Chukchi, the Chukchi Seld Dog, the Chukch, the Husky or simply the Sib, has been a preeminent sled-pulling dog for centuries in the harsh Siberian tundra. It came to America in the early 1900s and quickly became one of the most popular breeds among Alaskan dog mushers.
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Introduction
The Siberian Husky, which has also been known as the Arctic Husky, the Siberian Dog, the Siberian Chukchi, the Chukchi Seld Dog, the Chukch, the Husky or simply the Sib, has been a preeminent sled-pulling dog for centuries in the harsh Siberian tundra. It came to America in the early 1900s and quickly became one of the most popular breeds among Alaskan dog mushers. The husky is the supreme sled dog – smaller and faster than the Malamute and capable of going much greater distances at higher speeds. The Siberian Husky is naturally outgoing and friendly, typically not traits well-suited to watchdog or guarding tasks. He also is uniformly independent and has a strong desire to roam. Siberians are prone to communal howling, although they rarely bark otherwise. They are pack animals and prefer the company of people and other dogs, although Sibs tend to view smaller dogs and cats as prey. The Siberian Husky was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930 as a member of the Working Group.
The mature male Siberian Husky should stand 21 to 23½ inches at the withers and weigh 45 to 60 pounds. Bitches should stand 20 to 22 inches at the withers and weigh 35 to 50 pounds. Their coat is dense, double and medium in length. They shed seasonally, and profusely, but they are extremely clean dogs and typically lack a doggy smell. Sibs can be any color ranging from black to pure white, with a number of striking markings commonly seen, especially on the face.
History
The Sib was developed in the isolated Yakutsk region of extreme northeastern Siberia by the Chukchi people, specifically to be an endurance sled dog as it was their only mode of transportation. These semi-nomadic people needed a dog that was capable of traveling great distances at moderate speeds, pulling well-loaded sleds in chilling conditions while expending a minimal amount of energy. It was the Chukchi’s custom to castrate all but the best lead dogs, to promote genetic improvement across the generations. Moreover, when the dogs were not working with the men, they were cared for by the women. This, in turn, brought them in close quarters with children, and only non-aggressive, well-tempered males and females were favored. They bred only the best of the best, without cross breeding to other breeds, and kept their pedigrees pure for at least 3000 years.
At the start of the 20th century, Americans in Alaska started to hear about a superior sled dog in Northeastern Asia. By 1909, many Siberian Huskies were imported to Alaska by Charles Fox Maule Ramsay and others, coming from Siberia across the Bering Strait. The first Sib racing team competed in the grueling All-Alaska Sweepstakes Race that year and caused quite a sensation among sledding enthusiasts. Ramsay’s team was driven by John “Iron Man” Johnson and won the 400-mile race in 1910. Over the next decade, sled racing enthusiasts, especially the legendary Norwegian musher Leonhard Seppala, bred and raced Sibs, winning virtually all of the races in Alaska.
In 1925, a severe diphtheria epidemic swept the remote city of Nome, Alaska. Seppala and other sled dog drivers coordinated relays using their Husky teams to transport urgently needed antitoxin and other medical supplies more than 600 miles. This historic “serum run” quickly brought the Siberian Husky into the public’s attention across the United States. Seppala and his team participated in invitational races in New England, and the breed’s unique capabilities and endearing temperament rapidly captured the respect of sportsmen and women nationwide. Even today, a statue of Balto, the lead dog of the team that took the last leg of the serum relay, sits in Central Park in New York City, dedicated to all dogs who participated in that heroic relay. The breed was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1930. A number of Sibs were assembled at the Chinook Kennels in New Hampshire and used on the Byrd expeditions to Antarctica. Siberian Huskies also were used by the US military during World War II as part of its Arctic Circle search-and-rescue unit.
Today’s Siberian Husky retains is traits of being agile and athletic, smart and strong, gentle and versatile and almost tireless. It makes a wonderful family companion and is excellent with children and with strangers alike. It thrives in urban and rural settings, so long as its desire to roam can be effectively contained. Finally, the Sib excels in the show ring as well as at many performance disciplines, of course including sledding.
Health
The average life span of the Siberian Husky is 10 to 14 years. Breed health concerns may include crystalline corneal opacity, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, juvenile cataracts, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), nasal depigmentation, oral eosinophilic granuloma, basal cell tumor, perianal gland adenoma, chronic superficial keratitis (pannus), Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and von Willebrand disease.
Siberian Husky
Quick Facts
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Weight: 35-60 lbs
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Height: 20-24 in
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Coat: Thick, requires seasonal brushing
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Temperament: Pack oriented, affectionate, playful
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Lifespan: 12-15 years
Personality
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