The Siberian Husky is the consummate survivor, bred to haul sleds and hunt in even the most unforgiving regions of the Alaskan wilderness.
While it may seem that their thick coat is difficult to manage, it is actually quite simple. Because of its self-reliant heritage, the coat manages itself through frequent shedding. Any prospective owners who are sensitive to pet dander should look elsewhere.
Exercise is a must, it is recommended that the dog runs at least four miles per day in order to stay fit and content. Great with other dogs and children, the Siberian Husky is a great pet for an active family with few allergies.
Siberian Husky History
The Siberian Husky originated in Northeast Asia, where nomadic tribes used scores of sled dogs to travel. In the early 20th century, Americans living in Alaska caught wind of this new breed and quickly mated them with their relatively inferior sled dogs. The first team of this new breed appeared in 1909, in a great display of power. Shortly thereafter, the reputation of Siberian Huskies grew with their repeated championships.
When reports surfaced of Huskies delivering medicine to ailing towns in the Alaskan wilderness, their popularity grew even more. The AKC accepted its first Siberian Husky in 1930, as more and more of them were being used in military rescue units and Arctic expeditions.
The Husky does one thing and does it well. The skill in question is the ability to follow its instincts. With tons and tons of energy, this dog will run itself, and its owner, ragged if given the chance. Their drive to run wild leads them to be keen escape artists, doing whatever it takes to get a good run going.
It was genetically programmed to be an independent, strong-willed survivalist, so it may not be very compatible for an owner that prefers to lounge about.
As sled dogs, the breed has the capacity to form strong bonds of friendship with their owners, making them excellent companions. Adult Huskies have strong parental instincts, making them excellent companions for children older than two years. If placed in the vicinity of another animal species, its hunting drive is likely to kick in, potentially causing headaches for the owner.
Huskies aren’t the easiest dogs to train, but they are not impossible. Obedience and socialization should be encouraged at puppy-hood to make training easier as they grow older. The Siberian Husky is not a dog for novice dog owners, but in a proper home, this dog is a beautiful addition to the family.
The Siberian Husky is by nature clean and free from body odor. They require daily brushing to minimize excess loose hair, tangles, and mats. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary with a mild shampoo. The Siberian Husky is prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, and skin allergies. It is extremely vital that they do not become overheated.
The Siberian Husky is highly intelligent but has a mind of its own. They will only obey a command if they see the point of it. They respond best to patience, consistency, and fairness. They will quickly take advantage of an owner that doesn't let them know who the boss is. They may be difficult to housebreak. The crate training method is recommended. They will do well with early obedience training.
Common Health Issues for the Siberian Husky:
Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.
Less Common Health Issues for the Siberian Husky:
Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.
Addison's Disease an adrenal gland deficiency that requires lifelong hormo...
Amyloidosis abnormal protein deposits in joints, kidneys, and other organs, whic...
Anal Gland Adenocarcinoma a type of malignant tumor
Anemia A decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's) or the amount of hemoglobi...
Aortic Stenosis malformed heart valve
Arrhythmias abnormal, erratic heartbeats
Atrial Septal Defect An atrial septal defect is a defect or hole in ...
Bacterial Skin Infections Pyoderma is the medical term used to ...
Bladder Cancer malignant tumor of the urinary bladder
Bloat potentially fatal emergency in which the stomach distends with gas and twists ou...
Blocked Tear Ducts malformed ducts between the eye and nose, leading to p...
Blood Cell Toxins
Bone Cancer
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome one or more respiratory abnorm...
Brain Tumors cancer of the brain
Breast Adenocarcinoma malignant breast tumor
Breast Cancer malignant breast tumor
Bronchitis
Cancer
Canine Alzheimer's Disease Canine cognitive dysfunction "...
Cauda Equina Syndrome compression of the nerves in the lower spine cau...
Cerebellar Atrophy breakdown of a part of the brain leading to lack of co...
Cherry Eye protruding third-eyelid gland
Ciliary Dyskinesia failure of microscopic hairs lining the respiratory tr...
Clotting Issues
Collapsing Trachea flattened tracheal cartilage that makes it harder to b...
Congestive Heart Failure In congestive heart failure, the heart ...
Conjunctivitis
Coonhound Paralysis Coonhound paralysis is an acute neurologic disord...
Copper Storage Disease
Corneal Ulcers painful erosion on the surface of the eye
Crystals and Stones
Cushing's Disease overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands
Cystine Urine Crystals abnormal mineral deposits in the urine that ca...
Dancing Dobermans
Deep Bacterial Skin Infections
Demodectic Mange
Digestive Enzyme Deficiencies
Dilated Cardiomyopathy disease that causes weakened heart contraction...
Dizziness
Droopy Face
Dry Eye
Ductus Arteriosus
Dudley Nose
Dyskinesia
Ectropion
Elbow Dysplasia a malformed elbow joint, causing variable degrees of lamenes...
Encephalitis brain inflammation, often causing seizures, abnormal behavior, or ...
Esophageal Stenosis
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency pancreas that produces l...
Eye Injuries
Eyelash and Eyelid Problems
Facial-Fold Dermatitis recurrent skin infections in dogs with deep fo...
False Pregnancy
Fibrosarcoma
Foot-Dragging
Heart Holes
Heart Murmurs
Heart Tumors
Hemangiosarcoma malignant tumor most often found on the spleen or the heart
Hemolytic Anemia decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's)...
Hemophilia a blood clotting deficiency
Hemophilia B a blood clotting deficiency
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis severe, potentially fatal vomiting a...
Hermaphroditism having "mixed" reproductive organs, such as both a vagina an...
Hydrocephalus accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull, potentiall...
Hypoglycemia low blood sugar, potentially leading to seizures
Inguinal Hernia a gap in the abdominal muscles that must be closed surgicall...
Intestinal Cancer
Intussusception
Inward-Growing Eyelashes eyelashes growing from the underside of th...
Irritable Bowel Disease inflammation of the intestines, causing diar...
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca a deficiency in tear production that c...
Kidney Dysplasia malformation of one or both kidneys, potentially leading t...
Kidney Failure
Knee Injuries
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease disintegration of the hip joint
Leukemia
Little White Shaker Syndrome brain disorder causing severe head...
Liver Problems
Liver Tumors
Low Platelets
Lung Clots
Luxating Kneecaps Patellar luxation is usually a congenital condition i...
Lyme Disease
Lymphoma a blood cell cancer affecting the lymph nodes, bone marrow, or other organ...
Lysosomal Storage Disease enzyme deficiency that causes nerve-cell...
Megaesophagus an esophagus that doesn't contract properly, leading to regurgit...
Meningitis
Mouth Tumors
Multiple Myeloma
Myasthenia Gravis inability of nerve signals to control muscles, causing w...
Neck Instability disorder of the upper spine that can lead to pain or paral...
Nerve Atrophy breakdown of nerve
Neutering
Osteosarcoma a bone cancer
Pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas, causing severe abdominal pain and vo...
Panosteitis bone inflammation in growing dogs
Paralysis
Patent Ductus Arteriosus an abnormal connection between the pulmona...
Phosphofructokinase Deficiency
Platelet Deficiency blood disorder potentially leading to bruising or bl...
Pulmonic Stenosis a malformed heart valve
Pyloric Stenosis narrowing of the opening between the stomach and small int...
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency a condition causing anemia
Respiratory Tract Cancer
Scabies Sarcoptes scabiei var canis infestation ("scabies") is a h...
Seborrhea skin disease causing severe skin flaking and, sometimes, skin infections...
Seizures
Shedding
Shock
Skin Cancer any of several malignancies that target the skin
Spinal Cord Tumors
Spinal Disk Disease disk degeneration leading to pain, weakness, or para...
Splitting Nails
Squamous Cell Carcinoma a type of skin cancer
Stomach Cancer malignant tumor in the stomach
Submissive Peeing
Swollen Ear
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus an immune-system attack on various...
Tail-Fold Dermatitis skin irritation caused by moisture and bacteria ac...
Tearstaining Tear stains are reddish/brownish marks found on the inside corn...
Territorial Aggression
Testicular Tumor cancer of a testicle
Tetralogy of Fallot a severe heart defect
Tick Paralysis Tick paralysis is an acute, progressive, ascending motor pa...
Urinary Stones rocklike mineral deposits in the kidneys or bladder that can p...
Urinary Tract Cancer Cancer of the canine urinary bladder tract.
Uterine Infection The word “pyometra” is derived from latin...
Valve Disease malformation or malfunction of one or more of the four heart val...
Vascular Ring Anomaly blood vessel defect that can constrict the esoph...
Ventricular Septal Defect a hole between the lower two chambers of...
Wobbler Syndrome instability of the neck vertebrae leading to pain, leg wea...
Wobbly Kneecaps Medial patella luxation is a condition in which the ...
Wobbly Necks Caudal Cervical Spondylomyelopathy, commonly called Wobbler&rsq...
Siberian Husky Club of America