On this page, I’d like to tell you all about the ancestry of my family, and other interesting and fun facts about my breed. Anytime you see this image – 
– you can click on it to get more information about that topic on another web site.
Many onlookers are struck by the Siberian Husky’s graceful beauty and beguiling charm. My breed possesses very good intelligence levels and are loads of fun! But the acquisition of any breed requires a great deal of responsibility and lifetime commitment. While we may look irresistible; we have our pros and cons, just as any breed does. I’ll try to let you in on a few of these tidbits along with appropriate links for further information
The Chukchi people were the first to have sibes… in Northern Siberia. They used these dogs for pulling sleds, carrying loads and companionship. They also did a small bit of guarding — used mainly for alerting.
These ancestral roots continue to show up in present day sibes. First, we need a fair piece of exercise – on long walks; on a bike with a springer; sledding; skijorring; or pulling wagons, etc. It is also a neat idea to use a backpack with your siberian for walks. Make sure the weight on each side is close to equal. Here are pictures: Suka and me walking with our backpacks and Kaho and Suka biking. Remember, we are working dogs so we like jobs to do!…..
Please don’t let us off lead as we like to explore a little bit too much and may get into trouble in the big wide world. Some sibes have been trained to go off lead, but they are far and few between. Don’t take a chance with your sibe!
Since we have such energy, we get bored very easily. If you do not present us with diversions / toys; we find our own, like getting into and chewing inappropriate things around your house. This can be remedied, though, by keeping a variety of dog toys around and switching them for new ones and back again – like rotating stock!
Another trait that has been carried over from our ancestors is digging. Sibes always dug little burrows for warmth in the cold and today, we continue to dig. We especially like to dig after little rodents in the backyard. BJ should have stock in dirt and grass seed with all she uses to fill up the backyard holes! I do dig less now than when I was a pup, but the drive is still there. So, we may not be the right breed if you love and need to have a well manicured yard.
And, yes, we do shed… a lot. Most of us shed twice a year; a heavy shed in the spring and a lighter shed in the fall. Some of us appear to shed all the time — or at least it seems like it. Shedding appears to be in part weather dependent. So, part of the package is the hair. People who are really into huskies take it in stride and have several tricks to make it bearable. But the good news is that we are quite clean — we don’t have that “doggy” odor that some other breeds have. BJ usually gives us a bath only a time or two a year — all except the show Siberians — they get bathed more because of their shows. Husky Coat Colors
Generally, we are a healthy, disease free breed-Our biggest genetic concerns are eye disorders, epilepsy, thyroid problems and hip dysplasia. These areas are addressed by reputable breeders before we are bred. Our breeders and owners have taken a great deal of care in making sure our breed remains genetically healthy and adjusted – by spaying and neutering all sibes which have any of these traits. Medical / Genetic Information
So, please, if you ever want to become a breeder, you must first find a reputable mentor. Then, you must make a commitment to improving my breed and making sure your sire and dam are genetically sound. If you can’t make this and several other commitments (including a very large financial one), you should not breed your Siberian. Leave it up to professional breeders who have committed much time, effort and money into having proven litters. Pet Store Puppies
Our good natured temperament is one of our greatest assets. We especially love and interact wonderfully with children. We also become more dignified with age – after up to two + years of “puppy hood”. But, because of this temperament, we are not good guard dogs. Don’t be fooled by our appearance. Sometimes, we seldom bark. However, there are some Siberians that are noisy, and much of that is genetic. I find some lines are significantly louder than others. And we do love a good group howl.
However, in some pups there is a vocal trait that we fondly call “The Siberian Death Scream”. Now, pups who exhibit this vocal trait, certainly have nothing wrong with them and are in no fear of dying, but can be very trying for their owners. In my many years with Siberians, I have had 2 with it. Once you hear it, there is no doubt, you will never forget it. It truly is ear piercing, HURTS your ears and carries a long distance. Now, the Siberian Death Scream is not just the normal puppy squeal. I made an MP3 of it so you can hear it yourself. Listen to the whole thing as the scream doesn’t come until closer to the middle of the MP3. You can hear in the background another pup without it. The pup with the Siberian Death Scream only does this when very excited. When calm, a beautiful and low howling voice comes out of this same mouth. Puppies grow out of this but it usually takes quite a while, sometimes up to 12-16 months. Training is helpful, as you will hear at the end of the MP3.
Let’s see, what did I leave out… Oh, yes, the “blue eye thing”. Yes, some of us do have blue eyes. We also can have brown, green, or amber eyes. We can have bi-eyes (2 different colors) or even parti-eyes, like Suka and me. Here are close ups of Ash, Nika and Kaede’s eyes. Siberian Husky Eye Color
Please don’t judge us on eye color alone. Remember, we are a package deal.
Nika, Double Green
The most important things to look for when taking a new Siberian dog or puppy home is:
- our temperament (genetically determined and shaped by how well our caretakers have socialized us into their fold) and
- our conformation / movement (how well do our physical proportions / abilities and movement fit into the breed standard).
For additional info on the Siberian Husky and the breed standard you can visit the Siberian Husky Club of America or if you are looking for a husky rescue, check out the Siberian Rescue website.
If you want to check out these links separately, go to my links page.
We are a fabulous breed, just ask me!