Siberian Husky

The most recent scientific investigations have given evidence that the domestic dog (Canis Familiaris) has been man´s companion for 130 000 years. One of the oldest uses for the dog has obvously been its use as a draught animal and a sled dog.

Dog sled has been used as a means of transportation for centuries in arctic regions. On the northern hemisphere sled dogs have been used as well in Northern-America, Greenland and in Asiatic Siberia. All sled and draught dogs are kindred breeds with one another. The dogs are a little different in size and structure, depending on the living conditions, climate, snow- and weather conditions, where they have been used for this purpose, but they still resemble the wolf the ancestor of all domestic dogs, with their prick ears and a little obliquely set eyes. That is why they even nowadays arouse suspiciousness and maybe unnecessary fear. Natural selection has had a final significance to the evolution of the breeding stock, because the Nature lets only the fittest have a chance to carry on his genes. The influence of man to the developement of the sled dog has only been in finding the best fit for his own use out of these, already selected by the Nature. Fur traders, seal hunters, fishermen, and also the postal system, police and frontier guards have used this reliable means of transportation, which takes you to your destination also in difficult conditions and weather. Traditionally the dogs used in teams were the descendants of each region´s own dog population. Some of those have now been recognised as distinct breeds. Nowadays dogsledding and racing is an interesting hobby and sports.

The most famous of these official breeds is the Siberian Husky, which is developed in USA from sled dogs of native tribes (Koryaks, Kamchadals, Chuchees, Jukagires) of North Eastern Asia. In the first decades of 1900´s sled dogs were imported to Alaska across the Bering Straight for racing, fast postal deliveries and to carry federal officers and travellers. Siberian Husky was recognized as an official breed in USA in 1930.

The Siberian Husky is medium sized arctic spitz, small and rangy compared to other sled dog breeds. Its most distinguishable characteristics are athletism, flexibility of gait and vigorous muscles, which are necessary for its ability to trot tiredlessly over great distances on snow and ice covered trails.

He is usually very friendly with people, although adult dogs can be somewhat dignified. Normally the Siberian Husky has no guard dog abilities and that is why he readily lets a stranger come to the yard. He is happiest and enjoys himself in a group with two or more of his kind.

His colour can be whatever, from pure white to a variety of brown, grey and black multicolours. The Siberian Husky can also be piebald. A variety of markings on the head are common, the muzzle can be dark, "dirty" or light, goggle markings and so called double eyes (lighter dots above the eyes) and a skull-cap are also common. The eye colour varies too, as accepted are different shades of brown, blue, mixed colored and bieyes.

The Siberian Husky is a remarkably healthy breed. Disabling conformational diseases or defects are not met in the breed. The secret to the health is his active use as a sled dog and written in the standard, because for example all colours are accepted and there is variation in size and weight. Hereditary eyediseases are under observation, but they do not appear in the Finnish Siberian Husky stock more than the average is in the world.