This general good health is largely due to the fact that the Siberian Husky Club of America or SHCA has kept an eye on all potential genetic problems and taken positive action in order to ensure the well being of the breed. This organization was tasked with being aware of genetic problems and alerting breeders before the defects can spread since its start in 1965. The two greatest areas of concern for the Siberian Husky that the SHCA has found is canine hip dysphasia and inheritable eye disease. However, you can try to avoid these conditions in your dog and help them live a long, healthy life with proper care and monitoring.

The condition in which the head of the thighbone or hip joint doesn't fit properly into the joint socket is known as hip dysphasia. The condition normally isn't present when the puppy is born, but rather it develops during the dog's first two years of life. The condition progresses and during this time the hip is affected by inflammation, pain and arthritis.

Males and females are equally affected by the condition and either a single hip or both can be affected. It is an inherited health condition, which means hip dysphasia is passed on from the parent dogs. The Siberian Husky is one of the least affected dog breeds despite the high occurrence of hip dysphasia in dogs.

About one hundred fourteen dog breeds can be affected by hip dysphasia and the Siberian Husky is ranked one hundred eleventh in risk. By buying from breeders who can provide proof that both parents have passed the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals standards for breeding this is one of the Siberian Husky health problems that you can avoid.

There are many eye defects that can affect dogs, although only three of these are currently a concern among the few Siberian Husky health problems. The three eye conditions that you should look for in the Siberian Husky are hereditary or juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy. A different portion of the eye is affected by each disorder and can be present in any eye color.

Even though eye problems don't occur often in the Siberian Husky they are serious and should never be overlooked or underestimated. The Siberian Husky can develop hereditary or juvenile cataracts as early as three months of age. If there is a mild case there will be a decrease in eyesight, but severe cases can cause complete blindness. Corneal dystrophy is a condition that affects the outer transparent portion of the eyeball.

This condition is more common in females and is typically found in young adult dogs. This condition has no current treatment, but is seldom affects vision. A more serious condition is progressive retinal atrophy, which can cause a devastating loss of vision in dogs as early as five months of age and is most common in males.