SCRAPS Breed Profile SIBERIAN HUSKY
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SCRAPS Breed Profile SIBERIAN HUSKY Stats Country of Origin: Siberia Group: Working Use today: Family companion, sledding, carting and racing. Life Span: 12 to 15 years Color: Coat colors are black to pure whit with a variety of markings. Coat: The Siberian Husky has a thick, woolly undercoat and a soft out coat. Grooming: The coat does not need much care except during the twice a year heavy shedding season, when they have to be combed thoroughly with a metal comb. Height: Male 21 – 23 1/2 inches; Female 20 - 22 inches Weight: Male 45 – 60 pounds; Female 35 - 50 pounds Profile In Brief: Siberians are relatively easy keepers, pinto horse. The face mask and underbody are but their thick coats require weekly brushing. usually white, and the remaining coat any color. New owners should be prepared to provide an The eyes are almond shaped, moderately outlet for exercise daily, whether through walks spaced and set a trifle obliquely. It is a common or an enclosed space in which to run. Predatory misconception that all Siberians have blue eyes. instincts are strong, so Siberians should be They can have eyes that are blue, brown, supervised around small animals in and around amber, or any combination thereof including the home. Good with children and friendly with eyes which are half blue and half brown, which strangers, they are not watchdogs, for they bark is referred to as being parti-eyed. Having one little and love everyone. Training takes patience, blue eye and one brown eye is referred to as consistency and an understanding of the Arctic being bi-eyed. The large "snow shoe" feet have dog character. Huskies make an excellent hair between the toes for gripping on ice. Its jogging companion, as long as it is not too hot. ears are set high and erect, with a sickle shaped tail. The Siberian Husky has a thick, wooly Description: Siberian Huskies are strong, undercoat and a soft outer coat. It is able to compact, working dogs. The Siberian Husky withstand temperatures as low as -58 degrees to comes in all colors from black to pure white are -76 degrees F ( -50 degrees to -60 degrees C). allowed. A variety of markings on the head is common, including many striking patterns not Temperament: These dogs are gentle and found in other breeds. Color choices include playful, but willful and mischievous. This cheerful Black and White, which ranges from light (dilute) dog is very fond of his or her family. A puppy at to dark (jet), Red and White, which ranges from heart, they are clever, sociable and loving, easy- light (peach or orange) to dark (chocolate or going and docile. Though they do generally have brown), Gray and White, which ranges from light a lot of energy, especially as puppies. Good with (silver) to dark (wolf-gray), Sable and White children and friendly with strangers, they are not (which is red-orange with black tips), Agouti and watchdogs, for they bark little and love White (which is sometimes referred to as the everyone. Huskies are very intelligent and coyote color and contains a lot of dark gray trainable, but they have a mind of their own and coat), and White (not to be confused with a will only obey a command if they see the point. Samoyed). Different coat markings are all Training takes patience, consistency and an accepted, the most notable being a pie-bald. understanding of the Arctic dog character. This These coat markings are similar to that of a dog will take advantage if he can. Huskies make an excellent jogging companion, as long as it is exercised. Siberian Huskies are very active not too hot. Huskies may be difficult to indoors and do best with a fenced-in large yard. housebreak. This breed likes to howl and gets Because of their heavy coats, these dogs prefer bored easily. They do not like to be left alone, so cool climates. One has to use common sense if this is the breed for you, you may want to with respect to maintaining them in the heat by consider having two. A lonely Husky can be very providing adequate shade and air conditioning. destructive. Remember that the Husky is a sled This breed prefers to live in packs. dog in heart and soul. They are good with other pets if they are raised with them from Exercise: Siberian Huskies need a fair amount puppyhood. Huskies are thrifty eaters and need of exercise, but should not be excessively less food than you might expect. This breed exercised in warm weather. They need a large likes to roam. Siberian Huskies can make yard with a high fence, but bury the wire at the wonderful companions for people who are aware base of the fence because they are likely to dig of what to expect from these beautiful and their way out and go off hunting. intelligent animals. Although there are 'exceptions to every rule', there are a number of Origins: Native to Siberia, the Husky was breed characteristics that are generally present brought to Alaska in 1909. They were used for among members of this arctic breed. This is not centuries by the Chukchi people in Siberia to meant to be a comprehensive list, as even the pull sleds, herd reindeer and perform watch top breeders in the country will tell you that they dogging functions. They were perfect working learn something new about their dogs every day! dogs for the harsh Siberian conditions: hardy, able to integrate into small packs, and quite Health: Huskies are relatively free of breed- happy to work for hours on end. The Siberian specific problems, apart from hip dysplasia and Husky is a very light-weight sled dog with great occasional eye problems (such as juvenile stamina. It was brought to North America by fur cataracts, PRA (eyes) primarily in male dogs, traders in Malamute for arctic races because of corneal dystrophy, crystalline corneal opacities their great speed. In 1925 there was a diphtheria and ectopy (displacement) of the urethra). Also, epidemic in Nome, Alaska and many dog teams they sometimes have zinc responsive dermatitis relayed the precious medicine to the stricken (a skin condition which improves by giving a zinc city. This event focused national attention on the supplements). Breeders can get hip screenings Siberian Husky and helped popularize the from the OFA and eye screenings yearly from a breed. The Siberian Husky was also used during canine ophthalmologist (AVCO) and register the Admiral Byrd's Antarctic Expeditions. An exam through CERF and SHOR)... I can provide excellent pack animal, the Husky gets along well more information if you'd like. with his comrades. Siberian Huskies have now become very popular as a companion dog, but Living Conditions: They are not usually they are also used for sledding, carting and recommended for apartments, however they can racing. live in apartments if well trained and properly Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service 6815 E. Trent • Spokane Valley • Washington • 99212 (509) 477-2532 voice (509) 477-4745 fax www.spokanecounty.org/animal .