Siberian Husky | Characteristics, Overview, Temperament, & Facts

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toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref351250"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/animal/Siberian-husky#ref351250">Breed data</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/Siberian-husky/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/Siberian-husky">Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/Siberian-husky/images-videos">Images</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a 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Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://worldanimalfoundation.org/dogs/malamute-vs-husky/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">World Animal Foundation - Alaskan Malamute vs. Siberian Husky — Which is a Better Dog Breed for you?</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1790528/pdf/canvetj00255-0032.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - The Physiological Response of Siberian Husky Dogs to Exercise: Effect of Interval Training</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/large-dogs/siberian-husky" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">People's Dispensary for Sick Animals - Siberian Husky</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.thesprucepets.com/siberian-husky-dog-breed-profile-1118000" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">The Spruce Pets - Siberian Husky: Dog Breed Profile</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://animalcorner.org/dog-breeds/siberian-husky-dog/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Animal Corner - The Siberian Husky Dog</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/siberian-husky" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Vetstreet - Siberian Husky</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/siberian-husky/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">American Kennel Club - Siberian Husky</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs/what-to-know-siberian-huskies" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">WebMD - What to Know About Siberian Huskies</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://a-z-animals.com/animals/siberian-husky/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">A-Z Animals - Siberian Husky</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/working/siberian-husky/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">The Kennel Club - Siberian Husky</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.ukcdogs.com/docs/breeds/siberian-husky.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">United Kennel Club - Siberian Husky</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/siberianhusky.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Dog Breed Info Center - Siberian Husky</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/siberian-husky" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">PetMD - Siberian Husky</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Siberian-Husky/638914" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Siberian Husky - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Siberian-husky/313529" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Siberian husky - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/caroline-coile/12840358" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Caroline Coile</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Caroline Coile is the author of the <em>Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds</em> and more than 30 other books.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Caroline Coile</span></div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-10-25T00:00:00CDT" >Oct 25, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/Siberian-husky/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Related Topics: </dt> <dd><a href="/animal/sled-dog" topicid="548532">sled dog</a></dd> <dd><a href="/animal/working-dog" topicid="648140">working dog</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/Siberian-husky"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref51784"></span>Siberian Husky</strong>, breed of working <span id="ref51785"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/dog" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">dog</a> raised in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Siberia" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Siberia</a> by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chukchi" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Chukchi</a> people, who <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="valued" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/valued" data-type="EB">valued</a> it as a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/sled-dog" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">sled dog</a> and companion. It was brought to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Alaska" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Alaska</a> in 1909 for sled dog races and soon became established as a consistent winner. In 1925 the breed gained widespread fame by saving <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Nome-Alaska" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nome</a>, Alaska, during a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/diphtheria" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">diphtheria</a> epidemic; teams of Siberian Huskies battled blizzard conditions to relay life-saving serum over 674 miles (1,085 km) to the icebound city.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="267146" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/58/232958-050-8AED1F27/Balto-Gunnar-Kaasen-Siberian-Husky-dog.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/542620/267146"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/58/232958-050-8AED1F27/Balto-Gunnar-Kaasen-Siberian-Husky-dog.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/58/232958-050-8AED1F27/Balto-Gunnar-Kaasen-Siberian-Husky-dog.jpg?w=300" alt="Balto" data-width="1296" data-height="1600" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/58/232958-050-8AED1F27/Balto-Gunnar-Kaasen-Siberian-Husky-dog.jpg" data-href="/media/1/542620/267146">Balto</a><span>After leading musher Gunnar Kaasen's team during the last leg of the Great Race of Mercy—a relay that delivered diphtheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska—Balto the Siberian Husky rose to national fame.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">A graceful dog with erect ears and a dense soft coat, the Siberian Husky stands 20 to 24 inches (51 to 61 cm) tall at the withers and weighs 35 to 60 pounds (16 to 27 kg). It is usually gray, tan, or black and white, and it may have head markings <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="resembling" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/resembling" data-type="EB">resembling</a> a cap, a mask, or spectacles. The breed, kept pure for hundreds of years in Siberia, is noted for its intelligence and a gentle temperament. It was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (International Canine Federation) in 1966 as a member of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/spitz" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">spitz</a> and primitive types group (subgroup Nordic sledge dogs) and by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/American-Kennel-Club" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">American Kennel Club</a> in 1930 as a member of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/working-dog" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">working group</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref350980"> <h2 class="h1">Care and upkeep</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">As befits its long-distance sled racing heritage, the Siberian Husky is an active breed that needs at least one to two hours of exercise daily. Dog sledding, skijoring, bikejoring, or any activity involving pulling and running are especially well suited for the breed. Siberian Huskies are generally not great swimmers or retrievers. Exercise must be <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="done" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/done" data-type="EB">done</a> on lead or in a safe area, as these dogs tend to roam and may not return when called. The breed can be extremely clever about escaping, so a secure yard is required. Siberians are known for damaging homes when not adequately exercised or when left alone for too long. Young dogs are prone to destruction and should be enclosed in a damage-proof area. The breed relishes cold weather and is prone to overheating in hot conditions.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/the-dog-breed-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/232787-131-33E4C22A/retriever-dog-breeds.jpg" alt="Various retriever dog breeds sitting in a row. L-R: curly coated retriever, golden retriever, Labrador retriever, duck tolling retriever, flat coated retriever. hunting sporting dogs" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">The Dog Breed Quiz</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The thick coat requires brushing weekly, daily (even twice daily) during shedding season. Because the breed is self-cleaning, baths are usually only needed several times a year.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span><div class="mb-20"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="280341" data-asm-type="infogram"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="infogram"><script id="infogram_0__/zafvzCKJ2xxBET5WgQvq" src="https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed.js?Itp" type="text/javascript" title="Doggie bingo"></script></div></figure></div></div> </section> <span class="marker h3"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref350981"> <h2 class="h1">Temperament</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The Siberian Husky is active, independent, <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="mischievous" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/mischievous" data-type="EB">mischievous</a>, and playful. It gets along fairly well with other dogs and pets and is outgoing toward strangers. Because of their friendly nature, Siberians do not make good guard dogs. The breed enjoys people of all ages but is too independent and strong to be a good walking companion for children or the elderly. It tends to be strong-willed and is not an easy dog to train. While Siberians do not tend to bark much, they are far from quiet, emitting a wide variety of “woos,” chirps, and howls. It should be noted that these claims are traditional and widely accepted generalizations about the breed, and the behaviour of individual Siberians may differ.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="marker h4"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref351250"> <h2 class="h1">Breed data</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">This table provides statistics and other facts about the Siberian Husky.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span> <div class="md-drag md-table-wrapper"><table> <thead> <tr> <th><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/vital-rates" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">vital statistics</a></th> <th>breed facts</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>other names</td> <td>Sibe; Chukchi dog</td> </tr> <tr> <td>area of origin</td> <td>northeastern Asia, bred by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chukchi" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Chukchi</a> people</td> </tr> <tr> <td>breed group</td> <td>working</td> </tr> <tr> <td>height at withers</td> <td>20–24 inches (51–61 cm)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>weight</td> <td>35–60 pounds (16–27 kg)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>life span</td> <td>12–14 years</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Did you know?</td> <td>Siberian Huskies gained fame in 1925 when teams of these dogs were rushed hundreds of miles across Alaska in just a few days to deliver a serum to Nome, where a diphtheria <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="epidemic" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidemic" data-type="MW">epidemic</a> had broken out. Balto, the lead dog on the last leg of what was called the Great Race of Mercy, became one of the most honored dogs in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/canine" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">canine</a> history, and a statue of him stands in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/New-York-City" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">New York City’s</a> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Central-Park-New-York-City" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Central Park</a>. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/sports/Iditarod-Trail-Sled-Dog-Race" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race</a> <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="commemorates" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commemorates" data-type="MW">commemorates</a> also the serum run.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> </section> <span class="md-signature"><a href="/contributor/caroline-coile/12840358">Caroline Coile</a></span> <span class="md-signature"><a href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span> <span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":542620,"pageLength":486,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"A","adLeg":"A","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"MEDIUM","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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Siberian Husky | Characteristics, Overview, Temperament, & Facts | Britannica