As the name suggests the Siberian Husky is native to Siberia. It was there that they were trained for hundreds of years to pull sleds by the Chukchi people. The Chukchi were a semi-nomadic tribe that used the Siberian Huskies to pull sleds with light loads for long distances, which made them an excellent companion for the tribe. DNA testing has recently found that the Siberian Husky is one of the oldest breeds of dogs. It wasn't until 1909 that the Siberian Husky was brought to the United States where it took part in the All Alaska Sweepstakes Race. A number of Siberian Huskies were imported to Alaska after this initial appearance and the breed won the same race on the following year. The Siberian Husky breed not only went on to win many different races in the following years but it also gained fame for their great speed and endurance as well.



The American Kennel Club did not recognize the Siberian Husky as a breed until 1930. Today the breed is still widely used in various sledding, carting and racing events. If fact this breed is responsible for the popularity of these activities. Although in many events it is less common to see the Siberian Husky since they are being replaced by the Alaskan Husky which is bred specially for speed. Therefore, people have started a movement that holds races specifically designed for the Siberian Husky.

The Siberian Husky has new modern roles as a hiking companion, therapy dog or devoted house pet. The Siberian Husky is often confused with the Alaskan Malamute. However, since the Alaskan Malamute was bred for draft work, and not speed, they are identified by their heavy build. The Siberian Husky on the other hand has a very unique appearance. One part of this is their double coat, which insulates them from hot and cold weather. They also have long tails that curl over their back in order to protect their noses when they sleep.

Overall the full-grown male Siberian Husky will stand twenty-one to twenty-three and one half inches at their withers with the females being slightly smaller. For females their ideal weight ranges between thirty-five to fifty pounds depending on their size and the males can be up to ten pounds more in weight. The bone density and build of a Siberian Husky should be moderate and never slight or dense. In overall appearance the Siberian Husky is slightly longer than they are in height. The ideal Siberian Husky according to breed standards displays a picture of balance, grace and athletic ability. The eyes can be brown or blue and sometimes even one of each color or speckled. A white mask around their face often enhances their eye color. The overall facial expression of the Siberian Husky is one of friendliness, alertness and even a rogue appearance. The Siberian Husky color can range from white to black but most are black or red with white markings or shaded gray. Rather than focus on color, the importance of a Siberian Husky is their ability to perform with speed, ease and stamina.