Siberian Husky
Born to run, built for snow.
The Siberian Husky is a medium sled dog bred to run for miles in freezing cold. Striking and friendly, it is an escape artist with boundless energy and a strong independent streak.
Great points
- Friendly and outgoing
- Clean, odor-free coat
- Great stamina for active owners
- Gentle with people
Things to consider
- Sheds enormously
- Strong prey drive and loves to escape
- Independent and hard to train
- Howls and digs when bored
The story
Bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia to pull light loads over long frozen distances, the Husky reached fame in the 1925 serum run to Nome. Its endurance and good nature carried it into homes worldwide.
Training
Huskies are intelligent but independent and easily bored, so training takes patience, consistency and a securely fenced yard, since recall is unreliable.
Grooming
The thick double coat needs weekly brushing, and daily during the heavy twice-yearly shed. Huskies groom themselves and stay clean like cats.
Food & diet
About 2 to 3 cups a day. Huskies are surprisingly efficient eaters for their energy, so avoid overfeeding.
Exercise
Very high. Running, hiking or pulling, plus mental work, are needed daily to keep a Husky balanced.
Health to watch
Generally hardy, but watch for eye conditions such as cataracts, and hip dysplasia.
Fun fact. Sled teams in the 1925 Nome serum run covered over 1,000 km in about five and a half days to deliver medicine.
