| As the name suggests the Siberian Husky is | | | | Malamute with the Siberian Husky. However, |
| native to Siberia. It was there that they | | | | the Alaskan Malamute is a heavily built dog |
| were trained for hundreds of years to pull | | | | that was built for draft work and not speed. |
| sleds by the Chukchi people. The Chukchi were | | | | The Siberian Husky itself has a very unique |
| a semi-nomadic tribe that used the Siberian | | | | appearance. A part of this is their double |
| Huskies to pull sleds with light loads for | | | | coat, which helps to keep them insulated in |
| long distances, which made them an excellent | | | | both hot and cold weather. They also |
| companion for the tribe. DNA testing has | | | | typically have long tails that are used to |
| recently found that the Siberian Husky is one | | | | protect their noses while sleeping. |
| of the oldest breeds of dogs. It wasn't until | | | | |
| 1909 that the Siberian Husky was brought to | | | | Typically the Siberian Husky will stand |
| the United States where it took part in the | | | | twenty-one to twenty-three and one half |
| All Alaska Sweepstakes Race. A number of | | | | inches at the withers and the female will be |
| Siberian Huskies were imported to Alaska | | | | slightly smaller. The ideal weight for a |
| after this initial appearance and the breed | | | | female is between thirty-five to fifty pounds |
| won the same race on the following year. The | | | | depending on their size while the males are |
| Siberian Husky breed not only went on to win | | | | up to ten pounds heavier. The Siberian Husky |
| many different races in the following years | | | | should have a moderate bone density and it |
| but it also gained fame for their great speed | | | | should never be slight or dense. Overall the |
| and endurance as well. | | | | Siberian Husky should be a little longer than |
| | | | their height. According to breed standards |
| In 1930 the Siberian Husky was finally | | | | the ideal Siberian Husky is one that displays |
| recognized as a breed by the American Kennel | | | | a picture of balance, grace and athletic |
| Club. The breed is still widely used in | | | | ability. Eye color can be brown or blue and |
| various sledding, carting and racing events. | | | | sometimes even one of each color or speckled. |
| Because of the breed these activities have | | | | Probably a white mask around the face helps |
| became increasingly popular. However, in many | | | | to enhance their eye color. The Siberian |
| of today's races the Siberian Husky has been | | | | Husky has an overall facial expression of |
| replaced by the Alaskan Husky which is | | | | friendliness, alertness and even a rogue |
| specially bred for speed. As a result people | | | | appearance. The coat color can range from |
| have started a movement that creates races | | | | white to black but most are black or red with |
| specifically for the Siberian Husky. | | | | white markings or shaded gray. However, the |
| | | | importance of the Siberian Husky isn't in |
| The newest role for the Siberian Husky is as | | | | color but rather their ability to perform |
| a hiking companion, therapy dog and devoted | | | | with speed, ease and stamina. |
| house pet. People often confuse the Alaskan | | | | |