The Siberian Husky breed comes from a longstanding tradition of working dogs. The ancestors of the Siberian Husky breed are believed to have been developed by the nomadic Northeast Asian (Siberian) Chukchi tribes. While the heavy draft dogs were primarily used around the turn of the 19th century, the Chukchi people became known for using lightweight dogs. These dogs were used to routinely travel long distances fairly quickly since the Chukchi people’s land-locked lives depended on this travel to the sea for food and supplies.
It wasn’t until the early 1900s that the “Siberian Chukchi” dogs were first introduced to Alaska via the Bering Strait. There, people quickly realized that the dogs’ talents were not those of sprinters or freight dogs. Instead, the dogs were recognized as endurance machines capable of pulling light loads over vast distances. From that point on, the Siberian Husky grew in popularity and number.
In 1925, ancestors of today’s Siberian Huskies and Seppala Siberian sled dogs played a critical role in saving the lives of thousands of Alaskan children and adults during a fatal diphtheria epidemic. Known as the “Great Race of Mercy,” three brave teams of mushers and sled dogs relayed back and forth from Nome to Anchorage, covering over 1200 miles round trip, bringing serum back to ailing children and saving many lives in the process.
Breed Characteristics
Head: Mesaticephalic skull-type, moderate in size, wedge-shaped, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The skull is moderately broad (when measured across the top in front of the ears), being as wide as it is long (from stop to occiput). It may appear slightly arched from the ears to the brow when viewed from the side. The head exhibits smooth muscle to denote strength and power. It is never finely chiseled nor clumsy. The head is clean-cut without excess skin or wrinkles.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, and set in a slightly oblique manner. According to the coat, they may be of any color or combination of colors. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. Darkly pigmented eye rims are important in this breed since they reduce snow glare. The eyes are never bulging or rounded. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes.
Ears: The ears are medium size, triangular, and firmly erect. They are set high on the head, relatively close, and firmly erect. They are well-furred and thick, with a slight arch on the back. The tips are slightly rounded. The ears are never large, long, overly large, or broken.
Muzzle: The muzzle is strongly developed, moderate in length, full, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. Upper and lower jaws have good bone substance and are equal in length, appearing strong and well-developed. It tapers slightly from the strong and full base to the nose. It is never overly long, short, narrow, broad, snipy, or weak.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat. “Snow noses” (faded noses) are acceptable. The nostrils are well-opened.
Neck: Moderate length to allow for proud head carriage and strongly muscled with an arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad, but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Body: The body has sufficient substance and an excellent range of motion for optimum endurance. It is never heavy or racy. The back is straight, strong, and supple from withers to croup. It is of a moderate length and never overly short and cobby or excessively long and swayed. The body narrows at the taut, lean loin from the ribcage to the pelvis. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Tail: The tail is set just below the level of the topline on the sloped croup. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked. When alerted, the tail may be carried over the back in a graceful sickle but never curled up over the back to the side. It should never lie flat across the back. A natural, neutral tail position is normal when the dog is in repose. The tail should never be tightly curled, snapped, too high, too low, nor abundantly plumed. The tail is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down.
Movement: The Siberian Husky’s movement is one of the most important characteristics of the breed. It should be smooth, effortless, and efficient. The gait should be free of any lameness or poor coordination, as it is a movement that should be repeated for miles up on end. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and a good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The Siberian Husky is a true working dog with a strong instinct to move. This instinct should be both exercised and curbed with obedience training. Because of this, dogs of this breed have been bred and raised to work as a “team” for thousands of years. They tend to be excellent for multi-dog families, being alert, gentle, and friendly while lacking the possessive tendencies of other breeds. Their friendly, outgoing nature and lack of suspicion of strangers also make this breed a poor choice as a guard dog. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
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Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 2: Spitz and Nordic Breeds
Proportions: Slightly rectangular in proportion, with the length of the body, measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body-height-to-length ratio is approximately 5:4. The body is well put together, with sturdy substance and medium bone. The Siberian Husky is a dog of moderation, free from exaggeration. He should never appear light and racy, like an Alaskan Husky, nor heavy, like an Alaskan Malamute. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of a male or female is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Mesaticephalic skull-type, moderate in size, wedge-shaped, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The skull is moderately broad (when measured across the top in front of the ears), being as wide as it is long (from stop to occiput). It may appear slightly arched from the ears to the brow when viewed from the side. The head exhibits smooth muscle to denote strength and power. It is never finely chiseled nor clumsy. The head is clean-cut without excess skin or wrinkles.
Expression: The expression is keen, intelligent, interested, friendly, and perhaps somewhat mischievous.
Stop: The stop may range from definite to moderate. It is never shallow or insufficient.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is 1:1, with the topskull equaling the muzzle. The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel or may be just slightly convergent.
Muzzle: The muzzle is strongly developed, moderate in length, full, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. Upper and lower jaws have good bone substance and are equal in length, appearing strong and well-developed. It tapers slightly from the strong and full base to the nose. It is never overly long, short, narrow, broad, snipy, or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are clean and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat. “Snow noses” (faded noses) are acceptable. The nostrils are well-opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks are smoothly muscled but should be chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, and set in a slightly oblique manner. According to the coat, they may be of any color or combination of colors. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. Darkly pigmented eye rims are important in this breed since they reduce snow glare. The eyes are never bulging or rounded. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes.
Ears: The ears are medium size, triangular, and firmly erect. They are set high on the head, relatively close, and firmly erect. They are well-furred and thick, with a slight arch on the back. The tips are slightly rounded. The ears are never large, long, overly large, or broken.
Body and Tail
General Description: The body has sufficient substance and an excellent range of motion for optimum endurance. It is never heavy or racy. The back is straight, strong, and supple from withers to croup. It is of a moderate length and never overly short and cobby or excessively long and swayed. The body narrows at the taut, lean loin from the ribcage to the pelvis. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate length to allow for proud head carriage and strongly muscled with an arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad, but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Topline: Level from withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, or slightly arched yet supportive. The back is never long, swayed, or roached.
Croup: Gently sloped.
Underline: A slight tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: The tail is set just below the level of the topline on the sloped croup. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked. When alerted, the tail may be carried over the back in a graceful sickle but never curled up over the back to the side. It should never lie flat across the back. A natural, neutral tail position is normal when the dog is in repose. The tail should never be tightly curled, snapped, too high, too low, nor abundantly plumed. The tail is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. Shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of moderate bone, and parallel to one another. Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, of moderate bone, and well-muscled. Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another. Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: The coat is medium in length. It is a double coat with a straight, somewhat close-lying outer coat. A dense, soft undercoat supports the outer coat. The tail is well-furred, forming a foxlike brush or natural tail. The coat is never long, rough, silky, or standing off from the body.
Coat Color or Pattern: All colors ranging from solid white to solid black are permissible. Black, gray, wolf, liver, and various shades of sable, agouti, and chinchilla, are also common. All with or without white points and markings.
Movement
The Siberian Husky’s movement is one of the most important characteristics of the breed. It should be smooth, effortless, and efficient. The gait should be free of any lameness or poor coordination, as it is a movement that should be repeated for miles up on end. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and a good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The Siberian Husky is a true working dog with a strong instinct to move. This instinct should be both exercised and curbed with obedience training. Because of this, dogs of this breed have been bred and raised to work as a “team” for thousands of years. They tend to be excellent for multi-dog families, being alert, gentle, and friendly while lacking the possessive tendencies of other breeds. Their friendly, outgoing nature and lack of suspicion of strangers also make this breed a poor choice as a guard dog. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
Proportions: Slightly rectangular in proportion, with the length of the body, measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body-height-to-length ratio is approximately 5:4. The body is well put together, with sturdy substance and medium bone. The Siberian Husky is a dog of moderation, free from exaggeration. He should never appear light and racy, like an Alaskan Husky, nor heavy, like an Alaskan Malamute. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of a male or female is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Mesaticephalic skull-type, moderate in size, wedge-shaped, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The skull is moderately broad (when measured across the top in front of the ears), being as wide as it is long (from stop to occiput). It may appear slightly arched from the ears to the brow when viewed from the side. The head exhibits smooth muscle to denote strength and power. It is never finely chiseled nor clumsy. The head is clean-cut without excess skin or wrinkles.
Expression: The expression is keen, intelligent, interested, friendly, and perhaps somewhat mischievous.
Stop: The stop may range from definite to moderate. It is never shallow or insufficient.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is 1:1, with the topskull equaling the muzzle. The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel or may be just slightly convergent.
Muzzle: The muzzle is strongly developed, moderate in length, full, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. Upper and lower jaws have good bone substance and are equal in length, appearing strong and well-developed. It tapers slightly from the strong and full base to the nose. It is never overly long, short, narrow, broad, snipy, or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are clean and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat. “Snow noses” (faded noses) are acceptable. The nostrils are well-opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks are smoothly muscled but should be chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, and set in a slightly oblique manner. According to the coat, they may be of any color or combination of colors. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. Darkly pigmented eye rims are important in this breed since they reduce snow glare. The eyes are never bulging or rounded. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes.
Ears: The ears are medium size, triangular, and firmly erect. They are set high on the head, relatively close, and firmly erect. They are well-furred and thick, with a slight arch on the back. The tips are slightly rounded. The ears are never large, long, overly large, or broken.
Body and Tail
General Description: The body has sufficient substance and an excellent range of motion for optimum endurance. It is never heavy or racy. The back is straight, strong, and supple from withers to croup. It is of a moderate length and never overly short and cobby or excessively long and swayed. The body narrows at the taut, lean loin from the ribcage to the pelvis. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate length to allow for proud head carriage and strongly muscled with an arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad, but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Topline: Level from withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, or slightly arched yet supportive. The back is never long, swayed, or roached.
Croup: Gently sloped.
Underline: A slight tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: The tail is set just below the level of the topline on the sloped croup. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked. When alerted, the tail may be carried over the back in a graceful sickle but never curled up over the back to the side. It should never lie flat across the back. A natural, neutral tail position is normal when the dog is in repose. The tail should never be tightly curled, snapped, too high, too low, nor abundantly plumed. The tail is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. Shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of moderate bone, and parallel to one another. Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, of moderate bone, and well-muscled. Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another. Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: The coat is medium in length. It is a double coat with a straight, somewhat close-lying outer coat. A dense, soft undercoat supports the outer coat. The tail is well-furred, forming a foxlike brush or natural tail. The coat is never long, rough, silky, or standing off from the body.
Coat Color or Pattern: All colors ranging from solid white to solid black are permissible. Black, gray, wolf, liver, and various shades of sable, agouti, and chinchilla, are also common. All with or without white points and markings.
Movement
The Siberian Husky’s movement is one of the most important characteristics of the breed. It should be smooth, effortless, and efficient. The gait should be free of any lameness or poor coordination, as it is a movement that should be repeated for miles up on end. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and a good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The Siberian Husky is a true working dog with a strong instinct to move. This instinct should be both exercised and curbed with obedience training. Because of this, dogs of this breed have been bred and raised to work as a “team” for thousands of years. They tend to be excellent for multi-dog families, being alert, gentle, and friendly while lacking the possessive tendencies of other breeds. Their friendly, outgoing nature and lack of suspicion of strangers also make this breed a poor choice as a guard dog. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
Dog Fact #13
Some breeds, such as Newfoundlands and German Shorthaired Pointers, actually have webbing between their toes. The extra skin helps them navigate water with more ease and efficiency.
