Color And Coat:
Coat color types ranges from: Pure
white, gray, red, sable, agouti (guard hair is banded with black near the root
and at the tip with a yellow or beige band at the center of the hair), jet
black/white

Grooming is mainly brushing bathing etc. If you don’t like
dog hair, don’t get a Siberian Husky. This dog is equipped with excessive fur to
survive sub zero temperatures. The insulating downy undercoat sheds in early to
late spring. They shed a little all year round.

Siberians also have a
vairiety of eye colors. Many are spellbinding with their beauty. Eye colors:
Varied hues of coppery to brown chocolate brown, icy blue, or bi-color, which is
one brown and one blue eye.

Typical Health Problems:
Hip
dysplasia is definitely seen in this breed but in a moderate frequency level.
Eyes disorders are a seen in this breed and are all of a serious nature. The
most common are: Hereditary or juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and
progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma. Each disorder occurs in a different
portion of the eye, and can occur in any eye color. These disorders can result
in blindness and lead to other life threatening health problems. Treatments and
corrective surgeries, if possible, are costly. Yearly eye exams are a
must.

History and
Personality:
Originally bred by the nomadic peoples of the Chukchi Tribe,
of Siberia. The Siberian Husky was developed to provide transportation over the
vast frozen land. This tough, strong medium size dog was able to quickly cover
long distances on very little food. They were bred to have a gentle nature and
were a intrigal part of everyday family life. The relationship born of mutual
need and nurtured by mutual respect existed between this dog and the Chukchi
people. The Siberian lived in isolation for centuries before the outside world
discovered it and bought it to other regions. The present day Siberian Husky has
changed a lot since entering this country around 1900, but with in the current
Siberian Husky breed the heart and drive of the beloved and much prized, Chukchi
dog still lives.

Today’s Siberian is a beautiful, captivating, eager,
outgoing, animated canine companion.They have the ability to charm and hold
captive the hearts of many. Their abilities in addition to companion animals
are: Sledding, carting, running companion, agility, obedience. This breed has
many charms, however they also have strong and difficult behaviors that require
a special effort for successful ownership.

Why are these dogs typically in animal shelters?
The
majority of Siberian Huskies in shelters arrive there as strays. Owner turn-ins
of this breed to shelters are due to a variety of reasons. Currently, one of the
most common reasons is that the owner can not, or better put, will not keep the
dog home. These dogs are difficult to contain and that requires; work and
financial commitment, on the owners part. Other common reasons that owners leave
their Siberian at a shelter are:

Owner’s inability to provide for this
breed’s emotional needs, companionship needs, socializing, and training
requirements, and improper behaviors. Improper behaviors usually develop out of
frustration, lack of proper training, and inadequate exercise and generally
range from: House training, excessive activity level, digging, property damage,
noise. Many owners have a clear lack of understanding of this unique breed,
which results in the dog ending its days in a shelter facility. Please make sure
you are in a stable life pattern before acquiring a Siberian Husky. A new baby
in the house and child versus dog are also common reasons why these dogs are in
shelters. Owners moving is a regular turn-in reason also. A lot of rentals and
neighborhoods will not be Siberian Husky compatible. These dogs as adults are
very hard to find good compatible homes for, so make sure you can make a
lifetime commitment. Some Siberians arrive at shelters because of owner neglect.
This breed is not for the impatient owner. Impatience, misunderstanding, and a
desire by owners to make the Siberian Husky conform to, what it can not, will
sometimes lead to abuse.

Who should own
this breed?
This fun loving, affectionate, outgoing, breed requires an
experienced, committed, stable owner that has educated themselves well on this
breed’s needs. Siberian owners should be aware of this dog’s amazing natural
abilities and desires. They should also know that those abilities and desires,
if not channeled and use will become a problem. The Siberian Husky attracts a
lot of people because of it’s beauty. They are also adorable puppies and win
people’s hearts in an instant. Many uneducated, puppy smitten owners soon find
out this is not the breed for everyone. This is a fantastic, but very
specialized breed that requires a special owner to be
successful.

Siberian Huskies are high energy. Always look to a dogs
historical roots and modern jobs for insight. These dogs were originally bred to
run in sub zero temperatures for long distances and still do. Their endurance
and desire to go is not the correct match for the average pet owner. But for
many Siberian owners, this breed becomes a lifelong passion of the heart and
they would own no other.

• They need the company of other dogs or of people at all times. If you work
  all day, or have room for only one dog, don’t get a Siberian. Loneliness for
  this breed equals TROUBLE. A lonely Siberian Husky will display a full spectrum
  of undesirable behaviors.
• Siberian Huskies have a pretty common trait for digging holes in backyards.
  If you take great pride in your landscaping efforts, a Siberian is not for
  you.
• While capable of strong affection for his family, the Siberian Husky is also
  very friendly with strangers and make poor watch dogs. A Siberian will not alert
  his owner to strangers. They are usually pretty happy to see just about
  everyone. Which I see as a positive for the Siberian. An owner is not bothered
  with irritating barking every time someone enters or passes by his
  property.
• The breed in general is not good with: Cats or any small animals, rodents,
  birds or fowl, because of their prey drive instinct. There are of course
  exceptions, but don’t count on it. If you desire to have or currently own such
  pets do not get a Siberian Husky.
• Siberian Huskies are vocal. They rarely bark, but will whine, or moan, and
  also chirp and howl. Head held high, they will produce one of the most haunting
  song like sounds. Now this Siberian song fest may be music to the ears of a
  Siberian and the Siberian Husky fancier, but the neighborhood may not
  agree.
• Siberian Huskies shed a lot. When they blow coat in the spring it is a lot
  like a doggie hair storm. Brushing helps and you can speed the shedding up with
  a warm bath. But if you don’t like fur all over the house, the car, the
  furniture and if you don’t want to match you wardrobe to you dogs coat color,
  you don’t want to get a Siberian.
• Siberian Huskies need a lot of exercise. They have a high endurance level
  and need a owner that wants to keep up with them. Huskies love to do what they
  were bred for, so being involved in Siberian Husky sledding, carting and other
  events or breed clubs is a plus for the dog and the owner. Obedience and agility
  are also good outlets and activities for the Siberian Husky and owner. They can
  make good walking/running partners, if the weather is not to warm.
• Siberian Huskies have a tremendous desire to RUN. But the very first dash
  that a puppy makes could be it’s last. These dogs should never be allowed to run
  at large. They face too many hazards in today’s world: Cars, other dogs, guns,
  poison, antifreeze. In addition, they can come in contact with diseases: Parvo,
  distemper, corona, parasites. The clever Siberian Husky can surely add to that
  list, easily. They also have a strong prey drive. A gentle family Siberian
  Husky, at large can inflict, death or injury to livestock, fowl, cats, and
  wildlife. These mis-adventures could cost you some time in court , large sums of
  money and ultimately cost your dog, it’s life. A Siberian, for their own
  protection, should be kept confined or under control at all times.
• Siberians are escape artists. Some can be contained in 6 foot fencing.
  Others can clear an 8 foot fence like they have wings. Most Siberian Huskies
  require completely enclosed kennels to keep them where they are safe when they
  are not being supervised. Each Siberian Husky varies, but in general this breed
  is a lot of work to contain. The Siberian is the “Houdini escape artist” of the
  dog world.

Is this breed good with
children?
Children and dogs should never be left alone and unattended,
even for a moment. Young children do not have proper dog etiquette, and dogs do
not understand a child’s behavior. This can result in tragedy with any breed of
dog. The Siberian can be a good older child companion, but that greatly varies
on training, socializing and energy level. So, each dog and child relationship
should be considered individually.

Is this breed good with other dogs
in general?
Siberian Huskies generally do well with other dogs if they
have been socialized. Generally this breed displays friendly, playful interest
in most dogs. If attacked, however, they will readily defend themselves. This
breed has a team or pack mentality and they prefer generally to have a human or
dog companion with them at all times. Spaying/neutering is one of the most
important keys to having a dog-friendly animal. Pack position and socialization
is important and will affect and vary each dog’s acceptance of other dogs.
Huskies also have a strong prey drive and some may not prove compatible with
small dogs. A small dog or any cat should not be left alone with a Siberian
Husky.

How easy is training and
house training with this breed?
Huskies are very intelligent, but are not
easily channeled to jobs they dislike or have no interest in. Like humans each
dog’s abilities, likes and dislikes will vary. Give a Siberian Husky a job he is
bred for and he will excel. Put him in obedience classes and the results will
vary greatly. Training a Siberian Husky to some tasks can be painstaking, but
worth the effort. Good training gives all dogs the ability to speak the same
language with us. Keeping your Siberian Husky stimulated, busy and happy is the
most important thing, not that he be the best at any task. The committed owner
can indeed obedience train their Siberian Husky. If you are looking for a
captivating, joyful, free spirited friend, look to the Siberian Husky. If you
are looking for a dog with a natural desire for obedience, a Siberian Husky, is
not for you.

The time required to house train a Siberian will vary
depending on each dog and on the method used. Strong positive methods and
consistency will work best for training with this breed. Crate training seems to
be of great assistance for most dogs in housebreaking. Siberians are in general
not safe to leave loose in your house unattended. Crating, if they are not being
supervised, is reccommended. Do not leave a Siberian alone in your car uncrated
unless you know the dog well. They, like a lot of dogs, can eat a car seat in a
few minutes.

Socializing this breed?
Socialization is one of
the necessary requirements to successful dog ownership. This breed thrives in
dog and human activities. They need company like they need food and water.
Socialization and social activity for these dogs is mandatory to maintain a
happy, well balanced and almost well behaved Siberian Husky.