| The history of the Siberian Husky is similar | | | | disqualify other breeds such as bi-colored or |
| to that of other members of the Spitz group | | | | parti-colored eyes and "snow-nose" in which |
| such as the Chow Chow and Pomeranian. This | | | | part is black and part is flesh-colored. The |
| breed descended from Arctic sled dogs and was | | | | AKC states that coloring is not important in |
| purebred in an isolated area of Siberia for | | | | pulling a sled. |
| hundreds of years. An Eskimo Siberian Husky | | | | |
| breeder selected the most attractive and | | | | A good Siberian Husky breeder retains both |
| brightest-eyed huskies for breeding. This may | | | | the breed standard traits and good health and |
| be why the Siberian Husky so closely | | | | behavioral traits in their huskies. Like |
| resembles the wolf, even though it is no | | | | other larger dogs, huskies can be prone to |
| closer related to wolves than other dog | | | | hip dysplasia and a good breeder will not |
| breeds. These dogs, along with the Alaskan | | | | breed dogs with this issue. There are many |
| Malamute and Samoyed, are directly descended | | | | other health and behavioral traits common to |
| from the Eskimo dog and have been utilized | | | | huskies that Siberian Husky breeders must |
| throughout history as sled dogs. | | | | watch for and educate potential buyers about. |
| | | | |
| Siberian Huskies have many physical | | | | The first question a Siberian Husky breeder |
| characteristics that are adapted to living in | | | | needs to ask is why a potential buyer wants a |
| a harsh climate. They have double coats of | | | | Siberian Husky. This is not just a beautiful |
| fur that consists of a cashmere-like, dense | | | | dog breed. Siberian Huskies require regular |
| and waterproof undercoat and a longer, | | | | exercise, stimulation and training. If a |
| coarser topcoat that provides additional | | | | buyer cannot provide these things, a Siberian |
| insulation. Siberian Huskies also have the | | | | Husky is not the appropriate dog breed for |
| triangular, erect ears, curled, furry tail | | | | them. The second question the potential |
| and distinctive markings common to the Spitz | | | | Siberian Husky breeder needs to ask is what |
| family. | | | | buyer knows about the breed. Any questions |
| | | | about the breed should be answered before |
| The American Kennel Club has many other breed | | | | buying. The next questions can be directed at |
| standard characteristics required for | | | | the Siberian Husky breeder. The breeder |
| Siberian Huskies to participate in | | | | should be an expert on the breed and should |
| competition. These include a height | | | | be able to effectively answer all questions |
| requirement of twenty-one to twenty-three and | | | | the buyer has about the history of the breed, |
| one half inches tall for males and twenty to | | | | common medical and behavioral traits of the |
| twenty-two inches tall for females, a weight | | | | breed, how to train, discipline, and care for |
| requirement of forty-five to sixty pounds for | | | | the breed, and the pedigree associated with |
| males and thirty-five to fifty pounds for | | | | the particular Siberian Husky they are |
| females, mandatory physical characteristics | | | | selling. Asking the right questions of the |
| such as a scissors-bite (upper teeth closely | | | | Siberian Husky breeder and making sure the |
| overlapping lower teeth), and performance | | | | breeder also asks questions about the buyer's |
| characteristics such as a smooth, effortless | | | | home and knowledge of Siberian Huskies is the |
| gait and an outgoing personality. The AKC | | | | way to ensure parties are a good match and |
| does not disqualify the Siberian Husky for | | | | that the Siberian Husky will be placed in a |
| certain pigmentation issues that would | | | | loving, appropriate, permanent home. |