The Siberian Husky

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The Siberian husky is a northern breed dog with a thick, double coat that helps keep him cozy and warm in cold areas. And huskies love to be outside when it's cold and play in the snow.

Of course, at DogHealth.com, we support pet adoption, so if you're considering a purebred husky, we hope you'll check your local shelters and breed-specific rescue groups.

Siberian Husky Personality Traits

In 1925, a team of Siberian huskies pulled a sled at a shocking pace across Alaska's frozen tundra to deliver diphtheria antitoxin to Nome in an attempt to save lives during an outbreak. From then on, the breed was beloved in America.

Huskies are friendly dogs and usually don't make good guard dogs, but they are fabulous companions in the right situation.

Having been bred to work, huskies are high energy dogs that must have lots of exercise every day or they will develop destructive behaviors like tearing up items in the home. They generally get along well with other dogs but may be dangerous to cats.

Huskies are often noisy, prone to whining and howling.

If you have a Siberian husky, you will need to use caution when leaving them outside alone. They are excellent diggers and climbers, so even a tall, sturdy fence may not keep one in if they become bored and wish to wander.

Siberian Husky Physical Traits

Huskies have short hair but it's thick, with a double coat, and these dogs shed all year. Frequent brushing can help deter some of the hair from ending up in your home.

Siberian huskies often have blue eyes, but they can be brown or mixed.

Some health conditions that Siberian huskies are more prone to than other breeds include:

• Hip dysplasia—this genetic malformation of the hip joint can cause pain and lameness throughout life. Various treatments, including surgery, are available.
• Juvenile cataracts—this type of cataract causes the lens to begin clouding before the dog is two years old. Surgical removal of the cataract can fix the problem.
• Corneal dystrophy—this eye condition involves clouding of the cornea, which is the outer surface of the eye. It can cause blindness.
• PRA: Progressive retinal atrophy—this retinal condition usually eventually causes blindness.

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