January 6, 2009

Siberian Husky 101: The Breed Standard

by Andrew Preston

If you are thinking of getting a Siberian Husky from a shelter or Siberian Husky rescue, a good place to find out about the kind of dog you are getting is through studying the breed standard. If you want to show your Siberian Husky, then you really should get your dog from a reputable Siberian Husky breeder. If you do go that route, then you will need to know the breed standard just to be sure you are getting your money’s worth.

Siberian Husky breeders try to breed their puppies to most closely remember the breed standard. A breed standard is a written or artistic description of an ideal representative of the breed (sort of like one of Plato’s “ideals”) ninety-nine percent of all Siberian Huskies will not comply with the breed standard in some fashion (usually in size, build or coat), but breeders try to get to that ideal as close as they can.

Not all Siberian Huskies are alike, but they do share certain characteristics in physical appearance and in character. The most obvious physical trait is that they do resemble a small wolf. Even if they have floppy ears and frizzy coats, most Siberian Huskies still have a wolfish stare that goes right through you. You can just about hear the wind blow when you look into the face. Although famous for ice-blue eyes, a Siberian Husky can have brown or odd-colored eyes.

The ideal Siberian Husky is about fifty pounds and twenty-two inches high at the shoulder. His or her coat is double layered and not too frizzy, silky or too long. He or she does not have dewclaws, knock-knees, an overbite or a muzzle that is either to pointed or too blunt. All of his or her body parts in proportion to give a look of a smoothly flowing, athletic little wolf.

Siberian Huskies weigh an average of fifty pounds (less than a Rottweiler or most German Shepherds), but males can weigh as much as sixty pounds. Males grow to twenty-three inches at the shoulder, females about twenty-two inches. Siberian Huskies will be disqualified from the show ring if they are taller than that, and there are many purebred Huskies who do grow too tall.

But the dog should have the basic head shape, fluffy weatherproof double-layered coat and a look that goes right through you. Siberian Huskies also do not bark constantly and are shy of strangers.

According to reliable sources on Siberian Husky information (owners and rescue organizations), Huskies are quiet, serious dogs who make very bad guard dogs. They need a lot of exercise or they will rip your house up. They need to see a point in obeying any command.

This is a dog that can think for his or herself. You can’t be wimpy around these dogs or they will boss you about. You might need professional training with a Siberian Husky. They are not recommended for first time dog owners.

About the Author:

About the author: Andrew Preston is a passionate lover of the Siberian Husky and owns a popular website where you’ll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Siberian Husky. Among other topics at this website, you can also learn all about Siberian Husky Breed Standard plus a whole lot more.