Siberian Huskies, also called "Sibes" or "Huskies" were originally bred in Northeast Asia as a sled dog serving the Chuchki people. They were brought to Alaska in 1909. The Siberian Husky is known for its amazing endurance and willingness to work. The Husky was built to carry loads at a fast speed over long distances.  Its agreeable and outgoing temperament makes it a great all-around dog, suitable for anything from sledding to therapy work. Because it originated in cold climates, Siberians have a thicker coat then most other breeds of dog, made up of a dense cashmere-like undercoat and a longer, coarse top coat.

Siberians are a strong, compact, medium-sized dog which generally weigh somewhere between 50 and 70 lbs. The characteristic temperament of the Siberian Husky is friendly and gentle, but also alert and outgoing. He does not display the possessive qualities of the guard dog, nor is he overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive with other dogs. Some measure of reserve and dignity may be expected in the mature dog. His intelligence, tractability, and eager disposition make him an agreeable companion and willing worker.

 Sibes are prone to fence jumping and can easily scale a chain link fence; they are known escape artists. It is not uncommon for a Sibe to learn to open a door or unlatch a window to escape.  They have a keen, almost mischievous look to them.  They are gentle, playful and full of mischief.  They are not a "one-man" dog, therefore they do not make good watch dogs.  They bark very little and tend to "talk" in a series of soft wooing noises. They often howl at sirens.  Sibes, like Mals, are blessed with coats that rarely have an odor and they require very little bathing.  They do, however, "blow" their coats once or twice a year depending on the climate. (In warmer climates, some shed all year round.)  During this time, be prepared to find some fur in your food and literally floating through the air as the dog walks by! Daily brushing is imperative during this time. Siberians prefer cool climates, however, they can do quite well in the summertime with access to shade, water and air conditioning. They prefer to live in packs and often where you have one Sibe, two is better. They need a fair amount of exercise and can become bored quite easily (hence the need for a Sibe friend) and destructive. Siberians have a unique metabolism, a trait that serves them well on long treks in harsh climates.  Surprisingly, Sibes eat very little for a dog their size and a premium, high quality dog food can go a long way to making a Sibe happy.

Siberian Huskies are happiest when sharing in family activities.  They are not meant to be yard ornaments and banished to an outside kennel. Despite their size, they are very graceful and make very good indoor pets. Obedience training can be challenging.  They are very intelligent; however some uneducated people mistake this trait for stupidity. Like Malamutes, Siberians sometimes are not very reliable with commands. They like to run free and generally speaking, may take off quicker than you can blink an eye.  For this reason, having a Sibe off-leash is not recommended.
For more information about Siberian Huskies, visit the Siberian Husky Club of America at www.shca.org.