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THE
SIBERIAN HUSKY-THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Siberian Husky is, and has for centuries been; a pure bred dog-not a
wild, half wolf, cross-bred animal, as the uninformed may suggest. The breed was
originally developed by the Chukchi people of northeastern Asia as an endurance
sled dog. In 1909, the first large numbers of these Chukchi dogs were brought to
Alaska to compete in long distance All-Alaska Sweepstakes races, and the Alaskan
dog drivers quickly recognised the ability of these huskies from Siberia. The
breed received AKC recognition in 1930.
The Siberian Husky is gentle and friendly with an affectionate temperament,
but not fawning. They are alert, eager to please and adaptable. Their
intelligence has been proven, but their independent spirit may at times
challenge your ingenuity.
While capable of showing strong affection for family members, the Siberian
Husky is not usually a one-man dog. He exhibits no fear or suspicion of
strangers, and will greet guests cordially. This is not the temperament of a
watch dog, although may act as a deterrent to those ignorant of his true nature.
In his relations with strange dogs, the Siberian Husky displays friendly
interest but is ready to defend himself if attacked.
The Siberian Husky is comparatively easy dog to care for. He is by nature
fastidiously clean and is free from doggie odour. They have a double coat, this
means that it has a wooly undercoat that serves as insulation against cold or
heat, and a layer of longer, harsher outer coat that grows through the under
coat. He is presented in the show ring well groomed but requires no clipping or
trimming. At least once a year the Siberian will shed his coat.
It must be mentioned that Siberian Huskies do have their shortcomings and may
not make the ideal pet for everyone who is attracted to them.
1. Siberians are a gregarious lot and need company at all times.
If
you work all day...dont buy a Siberian.
2. While capable of strong affection for his family, the Siberian Husky is
also very friendly with strangers. If
you want the fierce loyalty of a one-man dog...dont buy a Siberian.
3. The Siberian Husky is not a watch dog, although those ignorant of his true
nature may be frightened by his appearance.
If you want a dog with aggressive guard-dog instincts...dont buy a Siberian.
4. At least once a year Siberians shed their coats. You will find fur all
over the house and in the air you breathe. If
you value neatness about the house at all times...dont buy a Siberian.
5. Siberians love to dig. If you
take pride in your landscaping efforts...dont buy a Siberian.
6. Siberian Huskies LOVE TO RUN!! A Siberian, for his own protection, should
be kept confined in a yard or on a leash when out at all times. They have no
road sense and 'recall' is not one of their strong points. If
you are one who thinks it is cruel to kennel a dog, or keep him confined in his
own yard...dont buy a Siberian.
7. Siberian Huskies are escape artists. Their enclosure should be more than
adequately fenced, if they cant go over a fence they will go under. If
you do not have or are not prepared to build adequate fencing...dont buy a
Siberian.
8. Siberians are very intelligent and head strong. Some form of basic
obedience is essential. If you do not
have the patience to take on the challenge...don't buy a Siberian.
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THE SIBERIAN HUSKY
STANDARD
GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working dog, quick
and light on his feet and free and graceful in action. His moderately compact
and well-furred body, erect ears and brush tail suggest his northern heritage.
His characteristic gait is smooth and seemingly effortless. He performs his
original function in harness most capably, carrying a light load at a moderate
speed over great distances. His proportions and form reflect this basic balance
of power, speed and endurance. The males of the Siberian Husky breed are
masculine but never coarse: the bitches are feminine but without weakness of
structure. In proper condition, with muscle firm and well developed, the
Siberian Husky does not carry excess weight.
CHARACTERISTICS: The most important breed characteristics of the Siberian
Husky are medium size, moderate bone, well-balanced proportions, ease and
freedom of movement, proper coat, pleasing head and ears, correct tail, and good
disposition. Any appearance of excessive bone or weight, constricted or clumsy
gait, or long, rough coat should be penalised. The Siberian Husky never appears
so heavy or coarse as to suggest a freighting animal, nor is he so light and
fragile as to suggest a sprint-racing animal. In both sexes the Siberian Husky
gives the appearance of being capable of great endurance.
HEAD AND SCULL:
Expression:- Is keen, but friendly, interested and even mischievous.
Skull:- Of medium size and in proportion to the body, slightly rounded on
top and tapering from the widest point to the eyes. Faults-Head clumsy or heavy,
head too finely chiseled.
Stop:- The stop is well-defined and the bridge of the nose is straight
from the stop to the tip. Faults-Insufficient stop.
Muzzle:- Of medium length, that is, the distance from the tip of the nose
to the stop is equal to the distance from the stop to the occiput. The muzzle is
of medium width, tapering gradually to the nose, with the tip neither pointed or
square. Faults-Muzzle either too snipy or too coarse, muzzle to short or too
long.
Nose:- Black in grey, tan or black dogs, Liver in copper dogs, may be
flesh coloured in pure white dogs. The pink streaked "snow nose" is
acceptable.
Lips:- Are well pigmented and close fitting.
EYES: Almond shaped, moderately spaced and set a trifle obliquely. Eyes may
be brown or blue in colour, one of each or particoloured are acceptable.
Faults-Eyes set too obliquely; set too close together.
EARS: Of medium size, triangular in shape, close fitting and set high on the
head. They are thick, well furred, slightly arched at the back, and strongly
erect, with slightly rounded tips pointing straight up. Faults-Ears too large in
proportion to the head; too wide set; not strongly erect.
MOUTH: Teeth closing in a scissor bite. Fault-Any bite other than scissor.
NECK: Medium in length, arched and carried proudly erect when dog is
standing. When moving at a trot, the neck is extended so that the head is
carried slightly forward. Faults-Neck too short and thick; neck too long.
FOREQUARTERS:
Shoulders:- The shoulder blade is well laid back. The upper arm angles
slightly backward from point of shoulder to elbow, and is never perpendicular to
the ground. The muscles and ligaments holding the shoulder to the rib cage are
firm and well developed. Faults-Straight shoulders; loose shoulders.
Forelegs:- When standing and viewed from the front, the legs are
moderately spaced, parallel and straight, with the elbows close to the body and
turned neither in nor out. Viewed from the side, pasterns are slightly slanted,
with the pastern joint strong, but flexible. Bone is substantial but never
heavy. Length of the leg from elbow to ground is slightly more than the distance
from the elbow to the top of the withers. Dew claws on the forelegs may be
removed. Faults-Weak pasterns; too heavy bone; too narrow or too wide in the
front; out at the elbows.
BODY:
Chest:- Deep and strong, but not too broad, with the deepest point being
just behind and level with the elbows. The ribs are well-sprung from the spine
but flattened on the sides to allow for freedom of action. Faults-Chest too
broad; "barrel ribs"-ribs too flat or weak.
Back:- The back is straight and strong, with level top line from withers
to croup. It is of medium length, neither cobby nor slack from excessive length.
The loin is taut and lean, narrower than the rib cage, and with a slight
tuck-up. The croup slopes away from the spine at an angle, but never so steeply
as to restrict the rearward thrust of the hind legs. Faults-Weak or slack back;
roached back; sloping topline.
HINDQUARTERS: When standing and viewed from the rear, the hind legs are
moderately spaced and parallel. The upper thighs are well muscled and powerful,
the stifles well bent, the hock joint well defined and set low to the ground.
Dew claws, if any, are to be removed. Faults-Straight stifles; cow hocks; too
narrow or too wide in the rear.
FEET: Oval in shape but not long. The paws are medium in size, compact and
well furred between the toes and pads. The pads are rough and thickly cushioned.
The paws neither turn in nor out when the dog is in natural stance. Faults-Soft
or splayed toes; paws too large and clumsy; paws too small and delicate; toeing
in or out.
TAIL: The well furred tail of fox-brush shaped is set on just below the level
of the top line, and is usually carried over the back in a graceful sickle curve
when dog is at attention. When carried up, the tail does not cur to either side
of the body, nor does it snap flat against the back. A trailing tail is normal
for the dog when in repose. Hair on the tail is of medium length and
approximately the same length on top, sides and bottom, giving the appearance of
a round brush. Faults-A snapped or tighly curled tail; highly plumed tail; tail
set too low or too high.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: The Siberian Husky's characteristic gait is smooth and
seemingly efforless. He is quick and light on his feet and when in the show ring
should be gaited on a loose lead at a moderately fast trot, exhibiting good
reach in the forequarters and good drive in the hindquarters. When viewed from
the front or rear while moving at a walk the Siberian Husky does not single
track, but as the speed increased the legs gradually angle inward until the pads
are falling on a line directly under the longitudinal centre of the body. As the
pad marks converge, the forelegs and hind legs are carried straight forward,
with neither elbows nor stifles turned in or out. Each hind leg moves in the
path of the foreleg on the same side. While dog is gaiting, the top line remains
firm and level. Faults-Short, prancing or choppy gait, lumbering or rolling
gait; crossing or crabbing.
COAT: The coat of the Siberian Husky is double and medium in length, giving a
will-furred appearance, but is never so long as to obscure the clean-cut outline
of the dog. The undercoat is soft and dense and of sufficient length to support
the outer coat. The guard hairs of the outer coat are straight and somewhat
smooth lying, never harsh not standing straight off from the body. It should be
noted that the absence of the undercoat during the shedding season is normal.
Trimming of whiskers and fur between the toes and around the feet to present a
neater appearance is permissible. Trimming the fur on any other part of the dog
is not to be condoned and should be severely penalised. Faults-Long, rough, or
shaggy coat; texture too harsh or too silky; trimming of the coat, except
permitted above.
COLOUR: All colours from black to pure white are allowed. A variety of
markings on the head is common, including many striking patterns not found in
other breeds.
SIZE: Size, Proportion, Substance.
Height: Dogs 53.5-60cm (21-23 1/2 ins) at the withers
Bitches 51-56 cm (20-22ins) at the withers
Weight: Dogs 20-27Kg (45-60lbs)
Bitches 16-23Kg (35-50lbs)
Weight is proportional to height. The measurements mentioned represent the
extreme height and weight limits with no preference given to either extreme. Any
appearance of excessive bone or weight should be penalised. In profile, the
length of the body from the point of shoulder to the rear point of the croup is
slightly longer than the height of the body from the ground to the top of
withers. Disqualification-Dogs over 60cm (23 1/2 ins) and bitches over 56cm
(22ins).
In addition to the faults already noted, the obvious structural faults common
to all breeds are as undesirable in the Siberian Husky as in other breeds,
though they are not specifically mentioned herein.
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COLOUR DESCRIPTION
Coat Colour and Eye Colour are not assessed in the show ring and are therefor
not characteristics that are bred for. No emphasis should be put on either
characteristic, by a breeder, as being superior to another. It will come down to
your personal preference in the end.
Jet Black: Guard coat is solid black, the individual guard hair is monochrome
(not banded) black from root to tip. Single white hairs appear occasionally. The
undercoat is black or more frequently dark grey. The jet black coat is
frequently accompanied by great depth of black pigment on pads and roof of
mouth.
Black: Guard hairs are banded with some amount of white near roots. Single
white guard hairs appear more frequently. Undercoat may be lighter than is seen
in the jet black coat while some buff-coloured hairs may be found in the lower
stifle and in the vicinity of the ears. Gives the impression of having a black
and white coat but without the depth of pigmentation found in the jet black and
white coat. Black Siberians may produce any colour within their progeny.
Dilute Black: Guard hairs are banded with the whitish cast extending
substantially from the root and tipped with black. Undercoat has a whitish cast,
Dogs appear to be black on head and along spine while shorter guard coat along
flanks produces a silver effect.
Grey: The guard hair is banded with cream and or buff tones near the root
with black tipping. The light undercoat is toned to give the dog a
yellowish-grey cast. Grey is the most common of all the Siberian Husky colours
and grey Siberians may produce any colour with his progeny.
Wolf Grey: The guard hair is banded with buff tones near the root with black
tipping. The cream tones of the undercoat combine to give the dog a
brownish-grey cast. Can have casts of beige, tan, yellow or red behind the ears,
above the hocks, and in the saddle area.
Silver Grey: Guard hair is banded with various tones of white and minimal
black tipping. The undercoat is of a whitish cast. The effect produced is a
silver-shade of grey on head, back and flacks with only a minimal darkening
along the spine. No red or yellow hair is intermixed.
Red and White: Always associated with liver points (nose, lips and eye rims)
and complete absence of black hairs. Light, medium and dark may be specified,
determined by the amount of solid colour banding on guard hair. Will usually
possess either Amber or Blue eyes or a combination of the two (bi-eyed, parti
coloured) but never brown eyes. Two reds bred together always produce red or
white puppies
Agouti: The guard hair is banded with black near the root and at the tip with
a yellow or beige band at the centre of the hair. Undercoat is very dark. This
is also called the 'wild colour. The white markings are always cream; the mask
is always 'dark with a strip'. Progeny may be of any colour. The points are
usually exceptionally black and often associated with black nails and very stiff
black whiskers.
Sable and White: The guard hair is banded with a reddish cast near the root
with black tipping. Undercoat is reddish-copper. Always accompanied by black
points. Very rare in Siberians. Some sables are born almost wolf grey and the
red tones deepened with age.
Pure White: The guard hair appears to be either monochrome (not banded) or
banded with pale cream tinges at the root of an otherwise white hair. An
occasional black hair may appear. The undercoat is solid white. Points may be
black or liver; standard allow flesh coloured points in all white Siberians.
Progeny may be of any colour.
White and Black, Grey, or Red Piebald: Basically white dog with piebald
markings with colour being restricted to the saddle, ears, face, centre of tail
and rump but not necessarily in all these places. Undercoat is always white but
guard coat may be banded or monochrome.
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