Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a dog breed that originated in eastern Siberia. The Siberian Husky is an energetic breed, which has a distinctive reputation as a sled dog. The Siberian Husky is known for standing out from the crowd, thanks to its wolf-like appearance. It also has a reputation as a family dog and show dog.
A Husky requires much exercise, since it is often used as a sled dog in cold places. Even though these dogs are suitable as sled dogs, they do not work as guard dogs. The Siberian Husky originated from eastern Siberia, and was bred by the Inuit tribe to pull heavy sleds across the tundra.
The Husky is not known for barking. Instead, it ululates, meaning it makes a long, high-pitched sound, resembling the howl of a wolf. A Husky is a fast learner, and would benefit from fifteen minute daily training sessions. Fifteen minutes is probably the best choice, seeing how the Husky is a hyperactive dog.
The Siberian Husky is a moderate-sized dog, who weighs an average of thirty five to sixty pounds, and has an average height of twenty to twenty three inches. The Siberian Husky's coat is thicker than most dogs', and the color ranges anywhere from white to black. The Siberian Husky has an average lifespan of twelve to fifteen years.
A Siberian Husky's eyes are either blue or black. However, that does not mean that a Husky's eyes have to both be one color. Many Huskies are heterochromatic, meaning that their eyes are either different colors, or an eye may be split, one half being blue and the other being black. A Husky's ears are triangular, well-furred, and erect. Ears like these are called prick ears. Some Huskies have what is called a snow nose. A snow nose is the result of hypo pigmentation, which is loss of skin color. This is acceptable for the show ring. Some judges even prefer a snow nose.
Huskies have bushy, fox-like tails, which curve upward and have a whitish tip. A Husky's coat has two layers: an undercoat and a topcoat. During the shedding process, a Husky's topcoat is often absent, allowing the dense undercoat to fall out, resulting on long hairs all over. This is very undesirable, and you could be disqualified for having this happen in a dog show.
The Husky is one of the three breeds of dogs descended from the Eskimo dog. The other two are the Samoyed and the Alaskan Malamute. The Siberian Husky gets its name from the Inuit tribes of Siberia, who are said to have crossed the Bering Straight, a land bridge connecting the Old world to the New world. Immigrants later added the word Husky to make the name we all know now. The Husky played vital roles in many survival acts in the North, such as helping the natives survive and helping Admiral Robert Peary of the U.S. Navy survive the harsh Artic during his expedition. The Husky was used by miners during the gold rush of Alaska. On February 2, 1925, Gunner Kaasen became the first man in the 1925 serum run to Nome to deliver diphtheria serum from Nenana to Nome, a distance of over 600 miles, leading a team of Siberian Huskies. The Iditarod honors this fantastic feat. The 1995 Disney animated movie, Balto, refers to this feat, as Gunner Kaasen's lead dog was named Balto. In dedication to Balto, a great bronze statue was constructed at Central Park, New York, New York, and inscribed upon it was: Dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the sled dogs that relayed antitoxin six hundred miles over rough ice, across treacherous waters, through Arctic blizzards from Nenana to the relief of a stricken Nome in the winter of 1925. Endurance--fidelity--intelligence
Siberian Huskies make great family pets and show dogs. They are not good guard dogs and have held important places in history, and love being near a loving owner.
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