One of the oldest breed of dogs in the world, Siberian Huskies originate from Siberia, where they were bred to pull heavy loads across harsh, freezing conditions. Once they made it to Alaska during the Gold Nome Rush, Huskies became famous for their dog sledding abilities, but did you know that their outgoing and gentle personalities make them suitable for much more than sledding?
Physical Traits
Size & Weight: Male Huskies stand between 21-23.5 inches at the withers, and females are smaller at 20-22 inches. They weight between 35-60 pounds, with males generally being heavier than females.
Coat & Color: Huskies have very thick coats that consist of two layers which keep them warm in the Arctic winters and reflect heat in the summers. Their undercoat is dense, while the topcoat is longer and has short, straight hairs. Huskies come in all colors from black to pure white, and often have distinctive markings on the head that are not found in other breeds.
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Temperament
Huskies are intelligent dogs that enjoy learning new things, and with some obedience training they do well as family pets. They are generally happy, playful dogs who love spending time with their families. Because of their gentle, trusting nature they do not make the best guard dogs, but will always be your best friend (and your best friend’s best friend too!).
Something to Bark About: In 1908 Siberian Huskies were used in the very first All-Alaska Sweepstakes, a 408 mile dog sled race from Nome, to Candle, and back to Nome, where they immediately dominated the race. In addition to their unmatched sledding skills, they have often been used in many different ways to service people—transporting medicine to the ill during a diphtheria epidemic in 1925, accompanying Admiral Byrd on his Arctic expeditions in the early to mid-1900’s, and serving in the Army’s Arctic Search and Rescue Unit during World War II.
Wags
- With proper training, Siberian Huskies make excellent family pets, as they are loyal and loving with people.
- Huskies are very gentle and laid-back, and do well with children.
- Huskies bark very little, although they do let out the occasional howl.
Yelps
- Huskies have strong predatory instincts, so they should be closely supervised around small animals.
- Huskies are great escape artists who can climb chain-linked fences and find other creative means of escape.
- Siberian Huskies are easily bored and require daily mental stimulation and physical activity to keep them from exhibiting destructive behaviors.
If you’d like to learn more about adoptable Siberian Huskies in New York, visit The Siberian Husky Rescue Site for more information. Like all dogs, great new nutrition is important, but with Huskies – diet can be extremely important. We recommend Life’s Abundance dog food for this active breed.
