Siberian huskies and their history

History and origin

Native to Russia, more precisely in the Siberian region, it was the Chukchi people who developed the breed. Being a nomadic people, they needed a working dog to accompany them in their daily lives. Dogs were selected quickly, as their way of life meant they couldn't afford to keep dogs that didn't meet their needs. As a result, the selection of the breed was rapid. Siberians were relatively versatile dogs at the time. In fact, they were used as family dogs with children, as hunters and as a transportation method.

Being a nomadic people in northern Siberia, it was very practical to have dogs resistant to extreme cold and capable of pulling loads over great distances with less energy consumption. It was important for the dogs not to expend too much energy when pulling, so as to have enough energy to keep their body temperature sufficiently high in sub-zero temperatures. This is why Siberians have a thick undercoat that covers the entire body.

In 1909, Siberians were introduced to Alaska for sled races. A fur trader raced a team of Siberians and finished 3rd. Having attracted attention for their speed and endurance, many people and countries began breeding Siberians for sled racing. However, it was in 1925 that the Siberian made history, when musher Leonhard Seppala led his team of Siberians on a 658-mile (1059 km) journey in just 5 1/2 days to bring serum back to Nome during the diphtheria epidemic. Under normal circumstances, this same journey would have taken well over 20 days. His team was led by the famous Balto and Togo. Even today, this route is part of a race, the Iditarod, which has been held every year since 1973 in memory of this story.

Following this achievement, the American Kennel Club approved the breed in 1930, and the Canadian Kennel Club recognized the Siberian in 1937. Today, the Siberian is mainly a family dog that thrives on pulling. They're pack dogs, and prefer to be with other dogs. They're good at working in harness, they're tough and can pull loads over long distances. However, the speed aspect has not been developed since, as other crossbreeds have attracted the attention of many mushers in order to go faster. In the days of the Chukchi, Siberians used to accompany them on hunts, but this is no longer one of the sports generally practised with Siberians. I'd venture to say that it's a lost aspect in the truest sense of the word. They have a great hunting instinct! But it's more for their own personal pleasure than to bring in game for the owner.

Quality and defects

Although the Siberian Husky is best known for its traction sports, it's a versatile dog. Despite being a primitive dog, with the right training methods, it's possible to have a Siberian that listens very well and works with us, for us. He loves to work, but having an independent character and being very intelligent, he knows very well whether what we offer him is rewarding enough for him or not. He won't do something just to please someone; it has to pay off in the end, hence the importance of finding the right method that works with our dog. Although this is an active breed, it can be well managed with mental, chewing and physical activities.

Primarily a primitive breed, the Siberian Husky is independent and can be reserved towards strangers. On the other hand, they're generally very playful! They also have a unique way of communicating! They're very expressive, both vocally and in their expression/body language. It's well known that the husky is a dog that talks. Although they're not all like that, it's something to bear in mind when choosing a husky.

Siberians are notorious runaways. Indeed, their hunting instinct leads them to run away to find what they want, whether it's a quest for exploration or a taste of squirrel. This can, of course, cause problems. So it's important to keep our Siberians on a long leash at all times, for reasons of safety and control. However, it is possible to teach a husky to recall. It's a long job and it's very important that it's always more rewarding for your dog to come back to you than to go elsewhere. With hard work, it's possible, but not everyone can do it.

The Siberian Husky is a group dog, and needs to be surrounded by people and/or dogs to be happy. It's not the ideal dog for a family that works 60 hours a week. He needs to be with his family or canine companion. Being gentle and friendly with everyone, he checks the boxes to be a good family dog. However, he has a tendency to play with great energy, which can turn off some dogs and children. He's a lively, energetic dog who expresses himself a lot, which is not well tolerated by some dogs. On the other hand, he sometimes has less tolerance for sudden/unpleasant movements, such as a child pulling his tail or a dog playing too roughly for him. It is therefore important, as with any breed of dog, to keep an eye on children or another dog and the Siberian at all times when they are together. There is also a tendency towards same-sex aggression. Indeed, it's possible for two females together to create more flare-ups than a male and a female. The reverse is also true. On the other hand, it's not impossible, depending on how the home environment is managed. Be careful: although the husky is a good family dog, it is by no means a guard dog!

Remember that huskies don't work for nothing, they like to work, but it has to pay off! That's why experienced husky owners do better when it comes to training. It's not always easy to keep a husky's focus, so having several tools in your bag means you can do a lot more. But a beginner can also manage to frame his dog well. He'll have a lot more work to do, but with the right guidance, it's possible.

Let's remember his origins, when he used to travel miles by sled. It's normal for him to need a good mental and physical workout to stay calm and in good spirits. Destroying the house when you're away can be seen in huskies. This can be as much due to separation anxiety as to a lack of stimulation in his day, so he keeps himself busy as he can. Although balance is generally easier to achieve with physical, mental and chewing activities, it's important to supervise your husky. They're good dogs, but not all of them are super-easy. That's why it's so important to carry out a behavioral assessment before allocating puppies to their families.