The breed comes from Chukchi West Asia.
Although they were originally used as draft animals in areas of extreme weather for their speed and endurance, today, their presence is very common in many homes. Their appearance and, above all, their gaze impresses; their resemblance to the wolf gives it a unique beauty and serenity; and their good nature makes them an exceptional type of pet for the whole family.
Origin and evolution of the race
The development of the race begins in the tribe of the Chukchi, residents of northwestern Asia. Due to weather conditions and proximity to other unfriendly tribes, the Chukchi needed the help of a dog with great speed and force to pull their sleds. So they adopted the Siberian Husky, and they depended much of their survival. They were the first breeders of this race in the true sense of the word, though their methods were not very orthodox. In their society, it was not possible to feed useless mouths: they kept alive only the most vital females. Most males were castrated and after the first selection of characters and conduct, the discarded subjects were eliminated.
The dogs are chosen based on their behavior in the sled and not by their looks: should be small and fast, with extraordinary strength and ability to handle any journey.
In 1910 three teams race were noted in the All Alaska Sweepstakes, an event that covered 408 miles from Nome to Candle. Two of these teams won awards, ranking first and second place. This generated a huge boost to the race, and for the next decade Siberian Husky’s popularity grew, becoming the star of sledding. In 1925, the city of Nome was devastated by diphtheria. A team of Siberian Husky shot, led by Leonard Seppala, managed to travel a great distance in search of serum, and thanks to them, could save the lives of many inhabitants of the place. Even today in Nome, they pay tribute to this man and his dog. In 1930, the Siberian Husky was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club.
Breed standard
The Siberian Husky is a dog of medium size, active and agile, easy and elegant. Their body is moderately compact and well equipped with hair. Their movement is fluid, seemingly effortless. It is able to perform its function of a sled dog pulling over long distances in a light load at a moderate speed. The proportion and shape of their body reflect a balance of strength, speed and endurance. The males are masculine but never coarse, females are feminine, but without weakness of structure. In good condition, with strong and well developed muscles, the Siberian Husky should not have unnecessary weight. The skull is of medium size in proportion to the body, and the muzzle is equal in length to the skull. The nose should be black on gray and black dogs, liver copper colored flesh-colored dogs and completely white dogs. The eyes have almond shaped, moderately spaced and positioned somewhat obliquely; may be brown or blue, one color, or partly colored. The ears are of medium size, triangular, adjusted and set high on the head; are well populated hair, arched back and strongly erect. Males should have a height between 53.5 and 60 inches; females have a size between 50.5 and 56 inches. The back is straight and strong, with the same level from the withers to the croup, of medium length.
The tail is covered with fox-like hair, and is slightly under the upper back. It is usually carried over the back in the form of a stylish curved sickle when the dog is attentive; is also normal that the tail hangs when the dog is at rest. Both limbs previous and subsequent are moderately spaced and parallel. Whatever the color of the Siberian Husky, should have a hair formed by a double coat of medium length, which gives a good cover without hiding the silhouette defined dog look. The undercoat is soft and dense and of sufficient length to support the outer coat. This is straight and somewhat smooth and tight, never harsh nor visible part of the body. It is normal the lack of undercoat on the molting.
Willful and friendly character
The Husky, mainly at the beginning of the race, but today is a working animal, intended as a draft animal sled, where stands by its results. His selection was for many years in this direction and not in skills such as a guard or hunting, logically, are the heritage of other breeds. So when a copy of the Husky is acquired, do not think that the dog will take care of the house or to serve in the defense of the owner.
In most cases, these dogs do not loudly bark, a quality that should be considered as a virtue. If ever they growl and howl at someone, that is because of their appearance, clothing, movements or maneuvers which would suggest a certain level of uncertainty or fear. The characteristic temperament of the Siberian Husky is friendly and playful, but attentive and curious at the same time. They do not show the possessive qualities of the guard dog, nor it is overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive with other dogs. In the adult dog, you can observe certain reserve and dignity. Their intelligence and docility make them a friendly companion and a generous employee. The period of time required for this race for learning is greater than that required of other dogs. It is very important that all their training activities are initiated while they are still puppies, within four to five months old. The first step is to get the level of obedience that you want: the first thing you must accomplish is to see your business when you are ordering; it is not easy, but not impossible. To do everything that is asked, the best solution is to use the system of rewards and punishments.
Basic care
When still a puppy, you have to go to the vet to proceed with their vaccinations and be advised of the guidelines for regular deworming and the possible treatments, boosters, deadlines, etc. If you are a specialist in dogs, it may also indicate defects or exemplary virtues that owns and maybe some imperfections that can be corrected. Moreover, it is also necessary to periodically administer to the pet a product that frees them from fleas and other ectoparasites. Toys and a wire brush are also needed. It is also essential to have a collar and a leash. In terms of hygiene, this breed is noted for its cleanliness. Usually when bathing, products used eliminate a number of natural hair elements (fat, lanolin etc.) which protect them from their own dirt, so the toilets must be very sporadic.
Food and Exercise
The Husky eats everything: dairy products, meat and bones of any kind, fish, fruits and vegetables. Nutritional needs vary according to size and sex: in males, ongoing maintenance ration of 1,250 Kcal L.500 daily and females of 1050-1350. These values are considered sufficient to specimens living in a temperate climate and are not subject to work shooting. The supply of vitamins-mineral supplements in certain physiological states (puppies, pregnant, breastfeeding) is extremely important for a normal physical development. And do not forget supplementing the diet with vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Both vitamins and minerals, vegetable oils, and food components, should never be supplied in excessive doses. The exercise is essential for the proper development of the specimen. No matter the terrain or the weather, as it adapts to every environment. If you can, you have to make him run. With no major difficulties, it can reach a speed of 20 kph without exerting a huge effort.