Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful pets is the Siberian husky. However, its origin raises well-founded doubts about its care, in addition to its character. The good news is that in this work we tell you everything about this charming breed.
Origins of the Siberian Husky
As we have already anticipated, the Siberian Husky is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful dog breeds. But it is possible that, like so many others who have already been captivated by its beauty, you want to know where it comes from and if those origins do not give it a somewhat dangerous character.
Well, to start you should know that we are talking about an animal of Russian origin, more precisely Siberian.
In its beginnings, the Chukchi tribe adapted them as work animals. And it is that with these bushmen they exercised the most varied functions, which ranged from accompanying their owners to herding deer. Although they have become popular worldwide for pulling sleds.
And let us not overlook another of his responsibilities, which may be a curiosity: keeping the boys of the tribe warm.
In such a way that it is feasible to find images of these animals in their distant Siberia fulfilling such noble tasks, with which it can be certified that the perception that we probably currently have of this breed is very contrary to that of its real temperament.
As one of the most striking Siberian Husky Characteristics, its great physical similarity with the Siberian wolf. In such a way that generally, and erroneously, it is judged as an animal with the same character as the wild wolf. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Although the Siberian Husky bears a great resemblance to the Siberian wolf, they differ in many other aspects; mainly because it is a breed that has been trained in a family environment.
An ancient and appreciated breed
It is true that they have quite an advanced natural sense of herd, but despite this they do not fight for territory, as their distant relatives usually do. This is due to the fact that they were trained in a wider and more tolerant world than that of their remote origins.
It is also worth knowing that the Siberian Husky is one of the oldest dog breeds on the planet. Although originally from the Siberian tribes, it quickly spread to the entire planet. This thanks both to her character and her remarkable willingness to work and, as is evident, her incomparable beauty.
The reason why they came to be in such a wonderful breed is that the Chukchis were very precise and judicious when it came to choosing the specimens they would dedicate to breeding.
It is known that they only kept the specimens that showed the best conditions. They had to be healthy, strong and resistant to adverse environmental conditions. Only in this way could they be raised with the necessary care of their owners.
But it was this rapid dissemination throughout the planet, which helped them get used to living in all types of climate. For which they have adapted their fur to the places where they are.
Although it is clear that they will always be more comfortable in cold climates, as this is their natural habitat.
However, watching a Siberian Husky puppy with eyes of two different colors playing around in your yard is, without a doubt, a marvel that you should not deprive yourself of if you are a lover of these magical and impressive canines.
Physical Characteristics of the Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky has quite outstanding typologies in regard to its external appearance. These are manifested from its height to its shape when walking.
They are extremely athletic dogs, exuding strength and endurance. These attributes allow them to travel long and exhausting distances without much effort. So they are ideal for work, especially for pulling loads much higher than their body weight.
Something that further enhances its beauty is that its ears are always erect, which gives them that practically perennial alert position. However, there are still many more characteristics of the Siberian Husky to consider. Let's see.
Height, weight and life expectancy
As far as physical appearance is concerned, the Siberian Husky shows the characteristics of a medium-sized canine.
Adult males of this breed can reach 60 centimeters in height at the withers. While females up to 56 cm.
Regarding their weight, statistics indicate that males range between 21 and 28 kilograms, and that female dogs are usually between 16 and 23 kg approximately.
As for their life expectancy, this can be established in an approximate range of 12 years. However, it is known that with very good care some specimens can extend this parameter up to 16 years.
Fur
This breed displays characteristic woolly-looking hair: long and thick, grouped into two coats that can be adjusted according to the environment in which they live. In such a way that they will get rid of the inner layer of their hair in more tropical climates, but conserving it and even making it thicker even in cold environments.
But it is also a coat that can be of very varied shades. Although conventionally accepted for the breed, it is the mixture of at least two colors.
Among these fur color combinations, the most frequent are usually black and white, red and white; sand and white, and gray and silver. Although there is also the case of completely white specimens, which is also accepted as a purity trait of the breed.
They are known to shed their coats once or twice a year. Therefore, it is advisable to brush them frequently to prevent their hair from becoming matted and so that it does not end up scattered in all corners of the house.
Eye color
But if something serves as a hallmark for these incomparable animals, it is undoubtedly the color of their eyes. And although the general tendency is to think that the only color for the eyes of the Siberian Husky is blue, the reality is different.
Well, as is to be understood, only genetics can determine the eye color of each puppy at birth. And depending on the crossings this can vary quite a bit. So we can see the very common Siberian Husky with blue eyes, or the also abundant specimens with amber eyes.
However, one of the most surprising characteristics of this breed is that capricious genetics sometimes gives them eyes of different colors.
But apart from the color of their eyes, it is noteworthy that the Siberian Husky has a penetrating gaze that captivates and falls in love.
How to differentiate a Siberian Husky from an Alaskan Malamute?
It is very common for people to be confused when distinguishing a Siberian Husky from a alaskan malamute. This is due to the similarity of their physical features, although the truth is that they are two extremely different races.
It is true that they coincide in their Nordic origin and that their coat is very similar, however it is easy to detect their differences, provided that the specimens of these two different breeds are carefully observed.
Detailing them, we will soon notice that the Siberian Husky is shorter and less stocky than his cousin. alaskan malamute. Its dimensions are very similar to those of a wolf. On the other hand, the shapes of the malamutes are much fuller, closer to the molossians.
Regarding the genius of the two castes, it must be assumed that they are very similar, since both one and the other are very sociable and affectionate creatures. However, the Siberian Husky is a much more active canine. This entails the need for them to practice a lot of exercise; something to which he Malamutes it is almost indifferent.
But if you need to decide which would be the best breed for you between these two, it is advisable that you reflect on their needs for space and activity, in addition to their temperament.
Because about this we must warn you that the Nordic breeds, but particularly the Siberian Husky, show a behavior that needs to be well interpreted so that they can be effectively happy, and thus an adequate animal/owner relationship can be maintained.
Behavior of the Siberian Husky
As you can imagine, a Siberian Husky puppy is a true gift of nature. His resemblance to a soft and cuddly toy gives him the appearance of a delicate toy, but there is much more under that layer of thick fur and that image of tenderness.
The truth is that the specimens of this breed show a character that is difficult to understand at times. So if you acquire one of these animals just on impulse, nothing more motivated by its irresistible beauty, it is very likely that it will end up well with an adoptive family or, in the extreme case, in a kennel.
It turns out that these animals are ranked 45th in the table that establishes Stanley Coren to assess the intelligence of canine breeds. This lag is explained by the fact that it is a scale that primarily assesses the levels of obedience of the dogs, something that Siberian Huskies find very difficult without proper training.
But it is not that these dogs are stupid, far from it. This particularity is due to the fact that in the beginning they were instructed to be able to decide for themselves, even contrary to an order from their owner, if that decision made the difference between saving their life or dying in some set.
Let us remember that the specimens that pulled the cars of nine were always ahead of the musher or guide of the same, so that they were the first to know if a route was safe. Otherwise, they had to change direction, regardless of the order given to them at that moment.
Need for company although autonomous for decisions
Yes, it was a matter of life and death what they had in their hands, well, in their paws. So they were educated to decide even against their owners, understanding that their timely disobedience could save them all.
It could also be said that the character of the Siberian Husky is the same as that of the wolf, at least in basics. This can be concluded due to his inclination to live in a pack, where a dominant leader is distinguished.
Something that is well suited to both the canine and the human, for the understanding of the animal, which is why it requires a group to live according to its nature.
As described above, they are usually autonomous and even rebel against the rules, although they can also be friendly, ideal for living with children.
It is known that they tend to establish a very special friendship with their owner, who will be the only one they accept as a guide when following orders.
Dog that does not bark
Another of the particularities that demonstrate the genius of these furry beauties is that they hardly bark. Instead they prefer to howl and make other sounds, which due to their particularity have motivated any number of recordings, in which they seem to speak almost as if they were a person.
Of course, with a good education, based on affection and rigorous discipline, it will be more likely to make a dog of this breed more docile and given to dealing with people, than to teach them the language of humans.
It is also noteworthy that it is not a guard breed, since its friendly temperament does not help it for such a task.
It is also advisable not to allow them to run alone through the streets, because by their nature they are free creatures, like that of a Harpy eagle, so they tend to travel long distances, which can easily cause them to get lost.
In addition, by disobeying an order, they can put their integrity as well as that of nearby people at risk.
Diseases that affect the Siberian Husky
This is a very strong and healthy breed of dog, which tends to get sick very little. However, there are some ailments typical of these dogs that should be known in order to provide them with timely and adequate care.
The main diseases that affect huskies are related to their eyes and hips. They are of genetic origin, which is why breeders exclude from their breeding programs any specimen that presents them, thus reducing their incidence in future generations as much as possible.
So don't be alarmed by his heritage, following proper care you can enjoy a healthy and active Siberian Husky for quite some time.
Now let's see what are the most common health problems of these beautiful dogs.
Eye problems
They are undoubtedly conditions that alarm the generality of breeders and owners of dogs of this breed. However, this type of disease is currently much more unusual than is thought. In such a way that it should not be an impediment for a person to share their life with one of these wonderful dogs.
Most common diseases in the eyes, of these dogs the following stand out:
Glaucoma: It is an increase in the internal pressure of the eyeball, capable of causing total or partial blindness in the dog.
hereditary cataracts: It is a condition that causes a decrease in the animal's vision at various levels. It is characterized by clouding of sight and can lead to blindness. As the name implies, they are hereditary, and although they can be operated on, the animal will never fully recover its sight.
Corneal dystrophy: It is a bad resemblance to cataracts. It appears as a shadowing of the corneal organ that impairs the dog's vision, and can occur in both eyes, although fortunately not strictly in the same proportion.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: It is a disease that affects many dog breeds, and can be divided into primary retinal atrophy and central retinal atrophy. Although the most common is the first, which affects the animal's vision in a dark environment.
As it is an illness that does not stop if it progresses, it will worsen over time, leaving the dog without vision.
Hip dysplasia
Apart from eye problems, hip dysplasia is the other major disease that usually affects this breed of dog, although it is also common in most medium and large dog breeds.
It is a condition that prevents the normal joint development of the pelvis. It is a breakdown in the dog's health that usually shows up at approximately two years of age.
Breeders pay special attention to suppressing this evil, since it leads to an immediate disqualification of the animal according to breed standards. This is because it would never be able to carry out the activities for which it is understood that it was raised.
As in other cases, thanks to this foresight by breeders, the incidence of this condition in the Siberian Husky has been reduced to just 5%, which is considered very low when contrasted with other breeds that have incidence rates up to 50%.
Siberian Husky basic care
The owners or breeders of specimens of this breed are quite lucky. We say this because the care of the Siberian Husky is relatively simple, in contrast to that of other breeds of canines.
The first thing to keep in mind is that the most important thing to ensure that they maintain an optimal state is to comply with a daily care routine, or at least with the minimally adequate frequency.
The advantage is that due to its own characteristics, any moment will be the appropriate one to achieve Siberian Husky photos that are the envy of any other dog lover.
But let's see where we should focus our attention:
Health
Among the care aimed at the health of these beautiful furry ones, simple but necessary jobs should be included, such as cleaning fangs, cutting claws and cleaning ears, among others.
And although these tasks are not necessary to be practiced every day, it is convenient to do them with some frequency, to prevent them from presenting later health problems.
It is always good to perform these tasks with the right hygiene products.
Brushed
This is one of the fundamental cares of the breed.
Let us remember that these are animals with a lot of fur, which adjust it in up to two layers, depending on the climate in which they live.
For this reason, it is estimated that the ideal routine for brushing the fur of a Siberian Husky should be daily. But if this is impossible, then it should be practiced at least three times a week.
Thus, the dog's coat will always be bright and soft.
But yes, try to select a suitable brush, because ordinary brushes will not be able to penetrate that thick layer of hair to remove dead hair.
Bathrooms
Bathing is of the utmost importance for the health of the animal, since just as dirt is removed, parasites are also eliminated. It also serves to clean any wound that the animal may have on its body.
Although it is not necessary to bathe them very often, because these dogs have a layer of fat that protects them, which is eliminated by bathing. So for wanting to take care of them, it may result in a worse evil for the furry friend.
So a good bath every month will be enough to keep your little fluffy friend healthy.
Food
Another advantage of these dogs compared to other breeds is precisely in their diet.
And it is that Siberian Huskies can eat practically any food. Although sometimes their stomachs are sensitive, so it is not convenient to change their diet frequently.
The ideal is to offer them a dry food of excellent quality, which provides them with the nutrients that their body requires.
Regarding the quantity, it is estimated that it is appropriate to supply them with around 400 gr/day. Although this will depend on the size of the dog and the amount of physical effort it makes daily.
Exercise
Keep in mind that all canines, like almost all living beings, require daily exercise to stay healthy and balanced.
In such a way that a good walk a day will serve to improve the man/dog relationship, in addition to maintaining optimal physical condition, in both cases.
But you can also combine walks with exercises at home, such as hiding prizes that your pet must find; something that will also serve to keep your brain active.
And do not forget that it will also be good for your health, that from time to time you have space to run around freely.
Education
This is another very important aspect to maintain an excellent mental health of the dog.
Keep in mind that the ideal is that the educational work be carried out daily, since the dog is still a Siberian Husky pup.
If this work is not done well, no matter how beautiful and innocent it may seem, that blue-eyed puppy will grow up to be transformed into an indomitable, ungovernable creature. So it is best to stop it from the beginning.
It is worth reminding you that the instruction should be done based on affection, discarding any physical reprimand, while trying to reward any useful quality. Only in this way is the best man/dog ratio achieved.
Siberian Husky Curiosities
Now we will complement the information about this breed, with certain curiosities that we consider to be of interest, when you really want to get to know the beautiful Siberian Husky in depth.
Great Serum Race
Balto's feat is well known, a specimen of this breed that, together with a group of congeners, in the twenties of the last century managed to cross the Bering strait, with the remedy that was required to control a terrible epidemic of diphtheria that was ravaging Nome, Alaska.
There, the terrified villagers waited impatiently for a delivery of antitoxin, which represented the only way to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. But unfortunately the harsh weather conditions made it impossible to transport it by air.
Thus, in the midst of a terrible snow storm and for five days of exhausting travel, the Siberian huskies fulfilled the incredible task of carrying the long-awaited medicine, which otherwise would never have reached that remote place.
The deed of these sled dogs guided by the brave Balto, is known as Great Serum Race, and has inspired countless artists. She has even been immortalized by cinema.
To this day, the Siberian Husky remains the most desired dog for the practice of mushing. In such a way that it is usual to see it in all the races that take place in different parts of the world.
Immune to the “Cold War”
It is noteworthy that although the birth of the breed is well documented to have taken place in Siberia, it is commonly thought that it is an American dog.
Such confusion is due to the fact that it was in the USA where these beautiful animals became recognized as a breed, since before they were only seen as one more type of arctic dog.
But we must go back to before its introduction to the US, which came via Alaska, a vast frozen vastness that was not yet a state in those distant times.
The Huskies then benefited from the Russian expedition, who took the animals with them to explore the Siberian coast.
In such a way that even known as Chukchi, the dogs were brought to Alaska in late 1908 by a fur trader known as Goosak.
This Russian was moved by the interest of registering the animals in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes, which represented the first all-Alask bobsled race. In which the money from the bets would go to the winners. It would be a strenuous journey of about 650 km, and the first prize was endowed with a not inconsiderable 10 thousand dollars.
lay bets
The truth was that the people of the area were not impressed by the animals of the Russian Goosak. Perhaps they were right, because for the bosses of the time they were small in contrast to the sled dogs they often saw.
However, Goosak was able to convince a driver known as Louis Thurstrup, who would be in charge of directing his team of canines. But even though most of the bets were against him, his Russian dogs came in third place.
But that first competition was only the beginning. Thus, sled racing became very popular overnight, and with it the Siberian Husky breed quickly gained an excellent reputation as a high-quality dog.
After that first competition, the Scottish Fox Maule Ramsay fell so in love with the chukchi, who rented a ship and crossed the Bering Strait to Siberia. They came back with a great treasure: sixty of the best arctic specimens he could buy.
Already in the third All-Alaska Sweepstakes, two teams of Ramsay dogs took first and second place. The Scotsman was the driver of the team that came second.