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