Siberian Husky
🧠 Temperament & character
The Siberian Husky is friendly, open and exceptionally sociable, without sharpness and practically without a guarding instinct, which makes him a poor guard dog but a lovable companion. He is independent, clever and has an enormous urge to move as well as a pronounced running and hunting drive. Notorious is his escape artistry: he digs, climbs and finds gaps to follow his wanderlust. He usually gets along well with children and other dogs, for as a pack dog he is very social, but small prey animals can excite his hunting instinct. He is rarely yappy, but often 'talkative' with the typical howling and yowling.
📜 Origin & history
The Siberian Husky goes back to the sled dogs of the Chukchi in northeastern Siberia, which over centuries were selected for endurance, frugality and a sociable nature. At the beginning of the 20th century fur traders brought the dogs to Alaska, where they quickly caused a sensation in sled races. The breed became world-famous in 1925 through the 'serum run' to Nome, in which dog teams transported life-saving diphtheria serum through a snowstorm; the lead dogs Balto and Togo became legends. From these lines the present-day breed developed in the USA, popular worldwide as a draught dog and companion.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
The Siberian Husky's dense double coat is surprisingly easy to care for and self-cleaning, but needs daily brushing during the twice-yearly, very heavy moult to remove the undercoat. His greatest need is exercise: he wants to run, pull and burn off energy every day, which is why sled sport, long runs or bike tours are ideal and mental tasks must not be lacking. An unoccupied husky quickly becomes an escapee and self-occupier who digs or howls. In training he needs patience and creativity, for he is independent and little inclined to subordinate himself; a very securely fenced garden is almost a must because of his escape talent.
🩺 Health
The Siberian Husky is usually a healthy, robust dog with a life expectancy of about 12 to 14 years, but the breed has some typical weak points. Known above all are eye diseases such as cataract, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and corneal dystrophy, which is why regular eye examinations of the breeding animals are important. Hip dysplasia also occurs, but is rarer than in some other medium-sized breeds. Responsible breeders have the eyes and hips examined and place value on a friendly, balanced nature in their dogs.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
The Siberian Husky suits very active, athletic people who are looking for a tireless running partner and are willing to invest a lot of time in exercise and occupation. For beginners, comfort-seekers or pure apartment keepers without exercise he is unsuitable, as is he as a guard dog. He needs company, preferably of his own kind, and suffers from long periods alone; a house with an escape-proof garden is ideal. In Switzerland he is a great partner for sled dog sport, skijoring, bikejoring or long hikes and feels comfortable in the cooler climate, though he must be protected in the heat and his hunting drive kept in view.