The standard

The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) standard for Siberian Huskies 

Siberian Husky - Group 3 - Working dog

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The breed standard describes an ideal for a breed's characteristics, temperament and appearance, and ensures that a dog can fulfill its original purpose. Breeders and judges need to be aware that they must give priority to dogs that are healthy and sound in body and mind.​

Origins and role: The Siberian Husky was developed several hundred years ago by the Chukchi people of northern Siberia. A nomadic people, the Chukchi used their dogs for many purposes: as companions for their children, as hunters for their food and as a means of transportation. Siberian Huskies were introduced to Alaska in 1909 for racing, and they proved to be very bold, possessing both speed and stamina. Today, this use of the breed must be maintained.

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General appearance: The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working dog, light on its feet, free and graceful in action. They have an inherent love of running and an independent spirit. Its full coat, erect ears and bushy tail bear witness to its Nordic ancestry. They are highly efficient in their original harnessed role, and can carry a light load over long distances at moderate speed. Its proportions and body shape reflect a balance of power, speed, endurance and general athletic ability. Male Siberian Huskies have a masculine appearance without ever being coarse. Females are feminine, but without weakness of frame. Both males and females should have medium-sized bones and firm, well-developed muscles. The coat has a soft texture.

Temperament: The characteristic temperament of the Siberian Husky is friendly and gentle, but also lively and energetic. Adults tend to be somewhat reserved and independent. Its intelligence, natural inclination for work and enthusiastic character make it a pleasant companion that works with pleasure, especially as a sled dog. They lack the possessive qualities of a guard dog.

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Size: Adult (at 18 months) males should measure between 53 and 60 cm (21 and 23 1/2 in.) at the withers and weigh between 45 and 60 lb (20.4 and 27 kg). Females should measure 51 to 56 cm (20 to 22 in.) and weigh 30 to 50 lb (15 to 27 kg).

Coat: The Siberian Husky has a thick, soft double coat, composed of a soft, dense, downy undercoat lying against the skin and a smooth, soft topcoat that gives a full appearance and a well defined profile. It should be noted that the absence of undercoat is normal during the moulting season.It is permissible to trim the hair around the legs for a cleaner appearance.Clipping on any other part of the body is not permitted and will be severely penalized.

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Color: All colors (solid or shaded) are permitted, as well as pure white and all markings except brindle and merle patterns, which will result in disqualification. Siberian Huskies come in a wide variety of markings, especially around the head.Pigmentation: Nose, eye rims and lips should be black in gray dogs, black or tan and liver in copper-colored (red) dogs.In white subjects, they may be flesh-colored, but this color is not preferred.A nose streaked with pink (snow nose) is acceptable, as it usually returns to its normal color during the summer.

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Head: Skull of medium size in proportion to the body, slightly rounded at the top, tapering gradually from the widest part to the tip of the eyes.

Muzzle of medium length, the distance from the tip of the nose to the stop should equal the distance from the stop to the occiput. The muzzle is of medium width, tapering gradually towards the nose, the tip of the nose being neither pointed nor square. Lips are dark and tight.

The stop is well defined and the muzzle is straight from the stop to the tip of the nose.Viewed in profile, skull and muzzle should be parallel. 

Eyes are shades of brown or blue, one of each or particolored; all are acceptable. Eyes should be almond-shaped, moderately spaced and set slightly obliquely, with tightly-set lids.Expression is lively, friendly, interested and sometimes even mischievous.

Medium-sized, straight ears, set high on the head.They are thick and well covered with hair, even on the inside, reducing heat loss in winter.Ears are slightly arched at the back and very straight with slightly rounded tips.Scissor bite, strong jaws with 42 evenly-spaced teeth.

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Neck: Medium length. When the dog is standing, the neck is proudly arched. On the move, the neck is elongated and forms an extension of the topline, so that the head is carried slightly forward.

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Forequarters: The shoulders should be well sloped at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ground. Less than 30 degrees is a defect. The humerus is bent back from the point of the shoulders to the elbow, and is never perpendicular to the ground. The length of the scapula is equal to the length of the humerus. The muscles and ligaments connecting the shoulder to the rib cage are firm and well developed.

Forelegs: Straight and well muscled, of medium bone structure. Viewed from the side, the pasterns are slightly bent with the wrist straight but flexible.Viewed from the front, the legs are moderately spaced, parallel and straight, with the elbows close to the body, turned neither in nor out.Leg length from elbow to ground slightly greater than distance from elbow to top of withers.

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Feet: Oblong-shaped, medium-sized feet with dense hair between the toes. The pads are thick and well cushioned. The Siberian's foot is similar to those of other Arctic breeds; it is a “snowshoe” foot, somewhat webbed between the toes. Good feet are very important and should be examined in the enclosure. Feet should not be turned in or out. Note: the lengths of the bones in the forequarters and hindquarters are equal.

Body Topline: The back is of medium length, neither too stocky nor too unsupported due to excessive length, and is straight and strong with a topline that appears straight from the withers to the croup.

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Chest: deep and strong but not too wide, the deepest part being just behind and level with the elbows. The ribs are moderately curved from the spine to flatten at the sides near the elbows, allowing a free gait.

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Loin: the loins are taut and slender, narrower than the rib cage and slightly tucked in. The croup slopes from the loin at a slight angle, but not vertically, which would hinder the rearward thrust of the hind legs. Seen in profile, the length of the body from the point of the sternum to the rear point of the croup is slightly longer than the height of the body from the ground to the top of the withers.

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Hindquarters: Standing and viewed from the rear, the hind legs are moderately spaced and parallel. The thighs are powerful and muscular. Seen in profile, the length of the pelvic bone is equal to the length of the femur, and the stifles are well flexed. The hock is straight, medium-sized and well defined. The hind dewclaws can be removed. Feet: look at forelegs.

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Tail: A well furnished tail, carried over the back like a sickle when walking or at attention, or backwards when the dog is on the move or working; drooping at rest. The tail is planted on or just below the topline. When carried high, the tail should not curl to either side of the back, nor fold flat against the back. The tail bone reaches above the hock when the tail is dropped.

Gait: The Siberian Husky's characteristic gait is fluid and effortless. In the enclosure, it should be shown on a loose lead, at a moderately fast trot. The dog's head should extend forward, in line with its topline. He should show good forelimb extension and hindlimb propulsion. At walking pace, the Siberian Husky does not move in line, but as speed increases, the legs converge until the pads follow a line under the longitudinal center of the body (single track). The topline remains firm and level.

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Faults: Any deviation from the above ideals is to be considered a fault insofar as it interferes with the health and welfare of the dog and the traditional purpose of the breed. Long, harsh or bushy hair; texture too harsh or too silky; any shearing except where indicated. Tail curled over back or corkscrew tail. Coarse or heavy head; skull too wide between ears; skull too small for body; too refined or pointed. Ears set too low (too far apart for the skull); drooping (folded, not straight); not slightly arched; ears too wide not in balance with the head. Eyes round, too close together or too far apart; not slanted. Muzzle too pointed, too large, too long or too short (out of proportion); flabby lips. Any dentition other than scissor-like. Lack of pigmentation on lips, nose and eye rims. Overly broad “barrel-shaped” chest; flat ribs. Straight or loose shoulders; perpendicular humerus; unequal bone lengths, shoulder angulation less than 30 o . Neck too short or too long, not extended forward when in motion. Short, weak or loose back; excessively long back; sway back; sloping topline. Weak pasterns; too heavy bone structure; front too narrow or too wide; elbows turned outwards; legs proportionally too short. Unequal bone lengths (pelvis and femur); straight stifles; cow hocks; too narrow or too wide hindquarters. Feet splayed, too wide, clumsy, or too small and delicate, turned outwards or inwards or without the characteristic palms between the toes. Shortened, raised gait; lack of extension and drive; rolling gait, crossing either forward or backward, diagonally, elbows turned outward or inward; stifles turned outward, hocks turned inward; movement too wide. Aggressive behavior or excessive shyness must be severely penalized.

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Eliminatory characteristics: Dogs measuring more than 60 cm (23 ½ in.) at the withers and weighing more than 27 kg (60 lb.); bitches measuring more than 56 cm (22 in.) at the withers and weighing more than 22.7 kg (50 lb.). Monorchidism or cryptorchidism. Brindle and merle patterns.