Dunc Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Appearance Siberian Huskies share many outward similarities with the Alaskan Malamute as well as many other Spitz breeds such as the Samoyed, which has a comparable history to the Huskies. Siberians have a thicker coat than most other breeds of dog. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, usually with white paws and legs, facial markings, and tail tip. The most common colors are black and white, grey and white, copper-red and white, and pure white, though many individuals have blondish, or piebald spotted. Striking masks, spectacles, and other facial markings occur in wide variety. They tend to have a wolf-like appearance. Eyes The eyes of a Siberian Husky are bright blue or brown. Additionally, one eye may be brown and the other blue (complete heterochromia); or one or both eyes may be "parti-colored," that is, half brown and half blue (partial heterochromia). All of these eye color combinations are considered to be acceptable by the American Kennel Club, which also states that the eyes are "an almond shape, moderately spaced and set slightly obliquely." [1] Ears and tail Its ears are triangular, well furred, medium-size, and erect. Often faulted in other breeds by kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club, this kind of ear shape is known as a Spitz ear. Its fox-like brush tail is carried in a sickle curve over the back, and trails behind the dog in motion. Most Siberian Huskies have a white tip on the end of their tail. The tail must not curve so much as to touch the back as it does in most Spitz breeds. Tails have whitish tail color. Coat The Siberian Husky's coat comprises two layers: a dense undercoat and a longer topcoat of short, straight guard hairs. It protects the dogs effectively against harsh Arctic winters, but the coat also reflects heat in the summer. It is able to withstand temperatures as low as −58 F to −76 F (−50 C to −60 C). Long guard hair is not desirable and is considered a fault. The absence of the outer coat is often present during shedding, also known as the telogen phase or telogen effluvium, with the latter often associated with stress. Recently, the shedding present during the telogen phase has been termed as a cycle separate from the resting state, and called exogen. Nose In some instances, Siberian Huskies can exhibit what is called "snow nose" or "winter nose". This condition is called hypopigmentation in animals. Show-quality dogs are preferred to have neither pointed nor square noses in shape. The nose is black in gray, tan and black dogs, liver in copper-colored dogs, and may be flesh-colored in white dogs. "Snow nose" is acceptable in the show ring. Size * Male o Height: 21 to 23.5 inches (53.5 to 60 cm) at the withers. o Weight: 45 to 60 lb (20.5 to 27 kg) * Female o Height: 20 to 22 in. (50.5 to 56 cm) at the withers. o Weight: 35 to 50 lb (15.5 to 23 kg) Temperament As a working breed, Siberian Huskies are a high-energy canine requiring lots of exercise. They have served as companions and sled dogs, but they are unsuitable as guard dogs. Over time, this combination of factors has lent the Siberian Husky a strong sense of gentleness and devotion. The Inuit tribes who used this breed for utilitarian and survival needs trained them to pull heavy sledges for great distances over frozen tundra, drawing umiaks, and securing game by assisting in hunting. Behavior The Siberian Husky has been described as a behavioral representative of the domestic dog's forebear, the wolf, exhibiting a wide range of its ancestors' behavior.They are known to howl, sing and talk rather than bark. Hyperactivity displaying as an overactive hunting drive, a characteristic of kenneled dogs, is often noticeable in dogs released from their captive environment for exercise - a behavior welcome in hunting dogs but not in the family pet. The frequency of kenneled Siberian Huskies, especially for racing purposes, is rather high, as attributed through the history of the breed in North America. A fifteen-minute daily obedience training class will serve well for Siberian Huskies. Siberian Huskies are a very stubborn and dominant breed of dog. Siberians need consistent training and do well with a "Nothing In Life Is Free" training program. They are extremely intelligent and after learning a new skill will often decide when to show off this skill when asked to perform it. Health Siberian Huskies, with proper care, have a typical lifespan ranging from twelve to fifteen years of age. Health issues in the breed are genetic defects of the eye such as juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy. Hip dysplasia is not often found in this breed, though as with many medium or larger-sized canines, it can occur. However, Siberians in general have remarkably good hips. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals currently has the Siberian Husky ranked 143rd out of a possible 150 breeds at risk for hip dysplasia, with only two percent of tested Siberian Huskies showing dysplasia. Siberian Huskies used for sled racing may also be prone to other ailments, such as gastric disease , bronchitis or bronchopulmonary ailments ("ski asthma"), and gastric erosions or ulcerations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laura_3173 Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 Do you know i was actually worried that our Lex wasn't like other huskies which made us wonder he has all his papers but they can be faked! But what you have just said about the appearance has descibed him to a tee! He has spectacles, one blue and one brown eye, a white tip on the end of his tail, his tail only curves when he is stood still. Thank you for putting my mind at rest! I wouldn't have got rid of him a love the bones of him but i just wondered whether we had been scammed because we travelled a long way to get him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted November 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 Do you know i was actually worried that our Lex wasn't like other huskies which made us wonder he has all his papers but they can be faked! But what you have just said about the appearance has descibed him to a tee! He has spectacles, one blue and one brown eye, a white tip on the end of his tail, his tail only curves when he is stood still. Thank you for putting my mind at rest! I wouldn't have got rid of him a love the bones of him but i just wondered whether we had been scammed because we travelled a long way to get him! Glad to help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules dief taz tor Posted January 16, 2009 Report Share Posted January 16, 2009 taz to a tee, we know dief is a cross , his dad was a husky his mum was a husky samoyed cross, and to be honest i think dief got a bit more of the samoyed then the husky lol hes smaller than taz and has a completly different way about him, i dont suppose we will really know until hes grown up lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siberian_wolf Posted January 16, 2009 Report Share Posted January 16, 2009 very good information, added to rep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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