The Siberian Husky - Combination of Endurance and Power

The Siberian Husky came to Alaska at the beginning of the 20th century. They quickly made a name for themselves in the All-Alaska sweepstakes race. But it was in 1925 that they reached their pinnacle of fame when a team of Huskies raced 340 miles to save a town.

If you haven't heard the story, Nome, Alaska, was snowed in when a typhoid epidemic hit. There was no way to fly in because of the weather, and the only option was to depend on the Siberian Husky sled dogs.

These dogs raced through terrible weather and got the life-saving serum delivered safely, saving many lives. To show their appreciation a memorial statue was placed in Central Park.

Are you looking for a dog who is very active but still loves the company of people? If so, you may want to consider the Siberian Husky.

This beautiful dog was bred to tirelessly pull sleds loaded with supplies over frozen terrain for miles on end. At the end of the day, Huskies provide companionship to their owners.

The Siberian Husky is classified as a part of the Working Group by the American Kennel Club. Like most dogs in this group, the Husky must have a job to do to keep him from getting into trouble.

These dogs are less domesticated than many other dog breeds and are actually quite wolf like. The Husky is a thirty five to sixty pound dog that stands twenty to twenty four inches tall.

These high energy dogs have a very thick coat made up of two distinct layers. Huskies have prick ears and a wolf like face. This breed's coat comes in a variety of colors, although most Huskies have black and white or silver and white coats. The most striking feature of the Husky is his almond shaped blue or brown eyes.

The Siberian Husky is a very impulsive dog and can get into more scrapes and dangerous situations than almost any other type of dog. More than one Husky visits the veterinarian's office to be patched up on a routine basis.

These dogs are usually good with older children, but may not be the best choice for families with infants or toddlers. Huskies have a reputation for being aggressive towards cats or small animals and may not be trustworthy with smaller children.

Since the Husky is so energetic, this breed does not do well in apartments or homes with small yards. In fact, Huskies often prefer to spend most of their time outdoors during the colder months, since their heavy coats make indoor temperatures uncomfortable. Just be sure that your yard is securely fenced, as these dogs have Houdini like tendencies.

It is important that you train your dog thoroughly, since the Siberian Husky is constantly looking for signs of weakness. You may want to attend obedience classes with your puppy to get some help in training him. If you do not maintain a dominant position, your dog will become a nightmare to own. Huskies are best for experienced dog owners.

Siberian Huskies can eat a lot, although some of these dogs do not eat well when they become nervous and high strung. Of course, other Huskies eat everything, including the house siding.

Siberian Huskies should be groomed once a week to remove dirt and debris. Of course, when your dog is shedding his coat, you may want to groom him more frequently.

Overall, Huskies are fairly healthy. The majority of the Husky's health problems are accident related, although this breed can suffer from hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism.

If you don't mind owning a dog who will constantly keep you on your toes, then you may want to consider the beautiful Siberian Husky.

Some facts you will want to consider:

Energy level - 3 (out of 5)

Exercise requirement - 4

Playfulness - 4

Affection level - 4

Friendliness towards strangers - 5

Ease of training - 1

Protection ability - 1

Cold Tolerance - 5

Heat tolerance - 1