Siberian Huskies are a medium sized, strong, graceful, and tenacious sled dogs.
They are handsome dog, energetic and dignified. While they are a medium sized
dog, they are extremely strong, able to pull light loads at moderate speeds for
long distances.

History
The Siberian Husky was originally developed by the Chukchi people of the
northeastern Siberia as an endurance sled dog. They were also used to herd
reindeer. IN 1909, the first large numbers of these Chukchi dogs were brought
to Alaska to compete in the long distance All Alaska Sweepstakes races, and
the Alaskan dog drivers quickly recognized the ability of these small, compact
dogs from Siberia.

In the winter of 1925, when a diphtheria epidemic broke out in the isolated town
of Nome, Alaska, a relay of dog teams brought life saving serum from distant
Nenana. This heroic endeavor earned national prominence for the drivers and
their dogs. One of these drivers, Leonhard Seppala, brought his team of
Siberian Huskies, descendants of the original imports from Siberia, to the
United States on a personal appearance tour. While in New England he
competed in sled dog races and again proved the superiority of Siberian Huskies
over the native dogs. The New England drivers and pioneer fanciers acquired
foundation stock, earned AKC recognition for the breed in 1930, and founded
the Siberian Husky Club of America in 1938.

Siberian appearance
Full-grown males measure 21-23.5 inches at the withers and females are slightly
smaller. Weight ranges from 35 to 50 pounds for females and about 10 pounds
more for males; bone should be moderate, never slight or coarse. The dog's body
is slightly longer than it is tall; the total picture is one of balance, grace, and
athletic ability.

The eyes are brown or blue and can be one of each color or speckled. Often
enhanced by a white mask, the facial expression is friendly, alert, and even
roguish. The ears are triangular and erect and should not be large.

The Siberian can be any color from white to black; most are black or red with
white markings or shaded gray. Color is far less important in the breed than the
ability of the dog to perform with speed, ease, and stamina.

Coat and Grooming
The Siberian Husky is a comparatively easy dog to care for. He is by nature
fastidiously  clean and is  topically free from body odor and parasites. Siberian  
Huskies clean themselves like cats. In fact, a Siberian that becomes soiled with
mud will clean himself up. Therefore, bathing requirements are minimal. In fact,
most owners bathe their dogs once per year or less.

Twice a year, Siberians "blow" their undercoats, that is, they shed their
undercoats completely. It is a very intense shedding period that can last three
weeks or more from start to finish. The good news is that this only happens
twice a year. The remainder of the time, Siberians are relatively shed free. Some
people feel that this periodic problem is easier to cope with than the constant
shedding and renewal of many smooth coated breeds. The bad news is that the
shedding period can be rather messy. The hair comes out in large and small
clumps. Lots of vacuuming and brushing are in order. It should be noted
however, that this shedding "schedule" is climate dependent. Some owners that
live in very warm climes, ones that lack clearly defined "seasonal changes,"
report some shedding year round in the breed.

Other than during coat blowing season, the Siberian needs very little grooming.
No trimming or shaving of hair is required or recommended. Just occasional
brushing to remove dead hair and keep the coat fresh and shiny is required.
Their nails should be checked and clipped periodically, and their feet should be
checked regularly to ensure good health, particularly in actively working dogs.

Temperament
Siberian Husky has a delightful temperament,affectionate but not fawning. This
gentle and friendly disposition may be a heritage from the past, since the
Chukchi people held their dogs in great esteem, housed them in the family
shelters, and encouraged their children to play with them.  The Siberian Husky
is alert,eager to please, and adaptable. An aggressive dog is not a team dog,
and therefore a lousy sled dog. Siberians are extremely intelligent and
independent breed. They can be stubborn, owing to their original purpose, and
they are easily bored. His versatility makes him an agreeable companion to
people of all ages and varying interests. However this is not a breed
recommended for the first time dog owner, as mistakes are easy to make and
sometimes difficult to fix with this remarkably intelligent and opportunistic
breed.

While capable of showing strong affection for his family, The Siberian husky is
not usually a one man dog. He exhibits no fear or suspicion of strangers and is
likely to greet a would be thief as warmly as a trusted family member. This is
not the temperament of a watch dog, although a Siberian Husky may
unwittingly act as a deterrent to those ignorant of his true hospitable nature,
simply due to his intense personality and appearance.

The Siberian temperament is outgoing, friendly, and gentle. However, puppies
can be a handful until they learn who is boss in the family. They can also be
destructive, particularly if they don't have enough to keep their minds occupied.
A Siberian left alone for long periods may eat the sofa or dig through a door to
get to the other side.

Barking,Talking, and Howling
Huskies are rather quiet dogs. They do not typically bark. They do talk,
however, in a soft "woo woo" sound. They can also howl quite well. Owners of
multiple Huskies report frequent howling, starting and stopping simultaneously.
Since the Siberian, like other northern breeds, is a very pack oriented animal,
this behavior is typical.

Feeding
Remember that sudden changes in diet can severely disrupt the Siberian
Huskies digestive system and cause gastric distress. Huskies require a
relatively small amount of food for their size. This trait may be traced to the
origins of the breed, as the Chukchis developed their dogs to pull a light load at
a fast pace over great distance in low temperatures on the smallest possible
intake of food.

Housing
Huskies are happiest when they can share in family activities. Huskies should
have a fenced in yard. The fence should be strong and at least 6 feet tall. It is
also a good idea to bury wire in the ground to discourage digging out. Siberians
are notorious diggers. Siberians should not be allowed to roam around the
neighborhood. If one chooses a kennel a Siberian, the kennel should be chain
link, with a concrete run, and should be 6 to 7 feet wide and 10 to 15 feet long. It
should be at least 6 feet high with chain link across the top of the kennel. It
should be in a shaded location and have an insulated dog house with a door for
shelter from the elements.

Because the Siberian is an arctic dog, it can remain outside in very cold
weather. However, it should be provided with shelter from the elements in the
form of a good sturdy house.
ABOUT SIBERIAN
HUSKIES