Siberian Husky

According to the FCI standard, the Siberian Husky is friendly, gentle, alert and outgoing. It doesn't show the possessive instincts of a guard dog, and it shouldn't be overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive with other dogs. The AKC calls the breed an "indifferent watchdog" because of that innate friendliness, and the Siberian Husky Club of America (SHCA) states plainly that it is not a watchdog.

Bred to work in a pack, it doesn't like being alone. The SHCA writes that Siberians want the company of people or other dogs at all times and are not a good fit for someone who works all day; the AKC gives the same warning.

• Voice: In the AKC's breed trait chart, vocalizing (barking or howling) is rated at the top of the scale; think about your neighbors if you live in an apartment.
• Prey drive: The AKC notes that Siberians can't resist chasing small animals. Sharing a home or yard with cats, rabbits or poultry takes real care.
• Digging: The SHCA points out that Siberians have a natural tendency to dig holes in backyards.

The Siberian Husky suits active, outdoorsy households that walk or run with their dog for long stretches every day and usually have someone at home.

A yard is no substitute for exercise. The fence should be solid, reinforced against digging at the bottom, and gates should always stay closed.

According to the AKC, the Siberian Husky's ancestors were bred in northeastern Asia by the Chukchi people. They were family companions as well as hardy sled dogs. The Chukchi developed a dog that could haul light loads across vast frozen terrain in sub-zero temperatures while using as little energy as possible. The Royal Kennel Club also notes that the breed was once known as the Chukchi sled dog and that dogs were carefully selected for working ability and temperament.

These dogs rose to fame in sled racing in the early 1900s. Their big moment came in 1925: when a diphtheria outbreak hit Nome, Alaska, relay teams of huskies carried the serum about 658 miles (1,060 km) in five and a half days. The Royal Kennel Club points out that a statue honoring the run stands in New York's Central Park.

Today the United States holds the breed standard for the FCI, which places the Siberian Husky in Group 5 among the Nordic sled dogs. The breed's national club in the US, the SHCA, was founded in 1938.

According to the FCI standard, the Siberian Husky is a medium-sized dog that is quick and light on its feet: the body is slightly longer than the dog is tall, the triangular ears stand erect and are set high, and the well-furred, fox-brush tail curves over the back like a sickle when the dog is alert.

• Size: Per the FCI, males stand 21–23.5 in (53.5–60 cm) and weigh 45–62 lb (20.5–28 kg); females stand 20–22 in (50.5–56 cm) and weigh 34–51 lb (15.5–23 kg). The AKC lists males at 45–60 lb and females at 35–50 lb.
• Eyes: Almond-shaped; brown or blue. One of each, or two colors in one eye, are accepted in the standard.
• Coat: Double: a soft, dense undercoat under straight, smooth-lying guard hairs. The FCI notes that it's normal for the undercoat to be completely missing during shedding season.
• Colors: Everything from black to pure white, including gray, agouti (wolf tones), sable and red; white markings and piebald patterns are common. The FCI standard updated in 2022 does not accept merle or brindle patterns.

The AKC calls the Siberian a "natural" breed: it keeps itself clean, has little doggy odor and often needs only a few baths a year. Weekly brushing keeps the coat and skin healthy. The undercoat sheds heavily twice a year, and during those periods the dead hair needs to be raked out regularly with a pin brush and metal comb. As the SHCA puts it, if you value a fur-free home, this isn't the breed for you.

• Nails: The AKC recommends keeping an eye on nail length to prevent foot problems.
• Ears and paws: Check weekly; show your vet any redness, odor or sores.
• Environment: Provide a cool, shady resting spot during the day and fresh water at all times.

Huskies in hot summers

A 2020 UK study by Hall and colleagues notes that thick-coated breeds may have a harder time regulating body temperature. According to PDSA, thick-coated dogs are among the groups most at risk of heatstroke, and nearly three quarters of cases develop during play or exercise. So:

• Walk early in the morning and in the evening; skip running in the midday heat.
• Test the ground with your hand: PDSA says that if you can't comfortably keep your palm on tarmac, sand or artificial grass for 7 seconds, it's too hot for paws.
• Never leave your dog in a car, not even briefly or with the windows open.
• Provide a cool room, shade and plenty of water.

For more, see our articles on dogs in hot weather and dog grooming.

The Royal Kennel Club recommends more than 2 hours of exercise a day for this breed. According to the AKC, the Siberian is a working breed that's happiest with a job to do; it was bred to run and will do so at every opportunity. Pulling in a harness, rally, agility and obedience are among the activities the AKC suggests.

Siberians are smart but independent thinkers, and the AKC rates their trainability as moderate. The AKC recommends keeping training fun for both dog and handler: short, playful, reward-based sessions. Early socialization and basic manners are a must too.

• Mental work is tiring too: sniffing games are a great addition to the daily routine.
• For a dog that loves to pull, a harness is more comfortable than a collar; start loose-leash walking training in puppyhood.
• For recall work, see our article on the dog that won't come when called.

According to the AKC, because Siberians were bred to cover long distances on very little food, they can maintain a healthy weight on less food than other breeds of similar size. The AKC advises against overfeeding, recommends monitoring weight regularly and being selective about supplements.

• Choose a complete, balanced dog food that suits its age and actual activity level; a working sled dog and a family pet don't have the same needs.
• Set the daily amount with your vet based on your dog's ideal weight, and count treats as part of it.
• You should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat and see a waist when looking from above.
• Don't give vitamin or mineral supplements on your own; even with the zinc-related skin condition described below, that call belongs to your vet.

According to the AKC, Siberian Huskies are generally healthy and relatively long-lived, and the incidence of hip dysplasia and eye disease is relatively low. Still, some inherited problems are known. The information below is for awareness only; ask your vet about diagnosis and treatment.

Inherited eye diseases

According to the SHCA, three eye diseases are of concern in the breed. Juvenile cataracts cloud the lens of the eye and can appear as early as 3 months of age; they range from mild vision loss to blindness. Corneal dystrophy is a hazy spot caused by fat deposits in the clear front of the eye; it rarely affects vision. X-linked progressive retinal atrophy (XLPRA) first destroys night vision and then day vision, and can start as early as 5 months in males; a DNA test is available. In a 1999 survey cited by the SHCA, about 8% of 1,345 examined huskies had inherited cataracts, 3% had corneal dystrophy and fewer than 1% had PRA. These diseases occur regardless of eye color.

The Royal Kennel Club lists an eye exam plus gonioscopy (looking at the eye's drainage angle with a special lens) as minimum screening for breeding dogs. The SHCA asks for eye exams to be repeated every year, because some problems only appear over time.

Neurological diseases

The AKC's recommended tests include DNA tests for two inherited nerve diseases: shaking puppy syndrome (SPS1), which causes tremors in puppies, and Siberian Husky polyneuropathy (SHPN1). The SHCA encourages breeders to use these tests, developed at the University of Minnesota.

Hip dysplasia

This is abnormal development of the hip joint. The Royal Kennel Club recommends hip scoring and the AKC recommends a hip evaluation. Ask for the parents' results when you look for a puppy.

Zinc-responsive dermatosis

According to the University of Minnesota's dermatology handbook, this rare skin condition is seen most often in Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes among dogs eating balanced diets, and about 41% of affected dogs show signs before age 2. Typical signs are redness, tightly stuck scales and crusts, and hair loss around the eyes and mouth, on the chin and on the ears. Other skin diseases can look similar, so your vet needs to tell them apart.

In a 2024 study by McMillan and colleagues that analyzed records of more than 584,000 dogs in the UK, the Siberian Husky had a median lifespan of 11.9 years (confidence interval 11.7–12.0), based on about 1,950 deaths. Mixed-breed dogs in the same study had a median lifespan of 12 years.

Another 2022 study using the Royal Veterinary College's VetCompass data found a life expectancy at birth of 9.53 years (8.71–9.88) for huskies. That study included only 153 huskies, and the authors say these results should be read with caution. It also found that huskies were much more likely than the general dog population to die before age 2. The AKC gives a range of 12–14 years.

Dogs lost young pull the average down; a secure fence, a leash, an ideal weight, regular vet checkups and protection from heat are the most concrete ways to extend this breed's life.

• Consider a shelter: Purebred dogs end up in shelters and rescues too. Our guide to adopting a shelter dog can help you prepare.
• If you buy from a breeder: Ask to meet the parents. Ask for eye exam reports from the past year, hip screening, and DNA tests for XLPRA, SPS1 and SHPN1. The SHCA openly opposes crossbreeding the Siberian Husky.
• Red flags: Steer clear of sellers who won't show you the mother, always have puppies available, can't provide health paperwork or charge extra for "blue eyes" or a particular color.
• Registration: Rules vary by country; many places require or recommend microchipping. In Türkiye, owned dogs must be microchipped and registered in the PETVET system. For a breed prone to bolting, a registered microchip also makes it easier to get a lost dog back.
• Before it comes home: Check fences and gates, and get an ID tag ready.