Siberian Husky Facts | The Smart Dog Guide

The Siberian Husky is a sociable and affectionate sled dog with a strong will. And there’s a lot you’ll want to know about this breed. So here are the top Siberian Husky facts and information.

The Look Of The Wild

The Siberian Husky is famous for its wolf-like looks. However despite the stunning similarities to its ancestor, the breed isn’t any closer to the wolf than other breeds. And this is a good thing for owners, since they get the look of a wolf but without any of the drawbacks of owning a real one.

Siberian Roots

Like its name suggests the breed originated in Siberia. It was developed by the Chuchki people, ancient indigenous hunters. The Siberian Husky was used to haul light loads over long distances. It could do so not only fast but on a small amount of food.

Coat Changes

One of the Siberian Husky puppy facts that owners are often very surprised to learn firsthand is that the coat of young dogs can change in appearance as they age. It’s not uncommon for the coat of growing Siberians to get lighter, darker, totally change color, or have markings appear or disappear.

Variable Eyes

One look at this breed’s eyes is all it takes to see why they’re one of its most notable characteristics. Siberian Husky eyes come in a range of colors but are often blue and sometimes even a stunning ice-blue.

Brown, green, and amber eyes are common too. Many Siberians have bi-eyes which means that both of their eyes are two separate colors. Others may even have what’s known as parti-colored eyes which have two colors in a single eye.

Natural Insulation

This breed has no problem working and being outdoors even in extremely cold temperatures thanks to its double coat. The undercoat is thick and wooly while the top coat is made up of long and coarse guard hairs. This forms two layers of insulation that work to keep it warm in winter and cool in the summer.

Siberian Swirl

The Siberian Husky is a breed that was developed to thrive in freezing temperatures. And it uses its tail to help it do so. When the conditions are cold and snowy the breed will sleep in a curled position and use its bushy tail to cover its sensitive nose and keep it warm. This is known as the “Siberian swirl”.

The Great Race Of Mercy

In 1925 a diphtheria epidemic broke out in Nome Alaska. The only way to get the life-saving serum from Anchorage to Nome in time was to use teams of sled dogs. And the majority of these were made up of Siberian Huskies.

The twenty teams included one hundred and fifty dogs. In the end, they traveled six hundred and seventy-four miles in five and half days to successfully save the inhabitants of the city and surrounding communities. This was known as the Great Race of Mercy.

They Live For The Sled

Pulling a sled has been part of the Siberian’s history for what has been estimated to be close to four thousand years. And it lives to run with a team of dogs. Just take a look at the excitement of the team when the musher approaches with their harnesses and you’ll instantly understand.

Northern Breed

The Siberian is considered to be one of the Northern breeds also known as spitz-type dogs. These dogs share similar physical traits and have a long history. The Akita, Samoyed, Chow Chow, Malamute, Pomeranian, Shiba Inu, are some other examples of Northern breeds as well.

Team Player

The Siberian Husky temperament makes it an ideal sledding and family dog. Because it gets along well with other dogs it can be hitched to a sled with a large number of dogs without fighting. Its gentle nature also makes it great with children.

Zinc Malabsorption

Each breed has certain health concerns. And one of the Siberian Husky health issues is zinc malabsorption disorder. This disease does not allow the dog’s intestines to absorb zinc properly. So while the dog may be consuming zinc, the body can’t use it, thus causing a deficiency.

Zinc is one of the most important elements for a dog’s body. And a deficiency can cause skin lesions, hyperkeratosis, hair loss, and eventually death if it goes untreated for too long. Typically it’s treated by giving the dog a zinc supplement.

Independent Thinker

Many people assume that as a sled dog the Siberian always obeys the commands of the musher no matter what. This is actually not the case. One of the Siberian Husky facts that prospective owners should know is that it can be stubborn.

The breed’s independent thinking comes from that when pulling a sled, dogs often need to go with their own instincts instead of obeying commands. This helps to prevent dangerous accidents for the rest of the dog team and musher.

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Siberian Husky Facts And Information