With winter upon us, we thought we’d look at a breed of dog that does not flinch when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Originally from much colder climes than our own, Siberian Huskies are perfectly adapted to handling a little freeze and take the cold in their stride thanks to a super dense coat. Other well-known physical attributes include pointed, triangle ears, distinctive fur markings and, of course, those beautiful eyes.
Measurements
Huskies are a medium-sized working dog breed and are characterised by a sturdy, muscular body. These dogs come in a variety of colours and have a thick, double coat and wide paws. In terms of weight, males are much heavier than females – coming in at 20-27kg, with females almost 5kg lighter.
The sexes are slightly more equal when it comes to height, with males standing about 53-60cm tall and females about 51-56cm.
Personality
Huskies are very friendly dogs, which is why they are such popular pets. They are quite happy-go-lucky, love being part of a family and are very good with children. They also take very well to strangers and don’t bark a lot, which makes them quite inept at being watch dogs.
Huskies are also very intelligent and can be trained quite easily if they have a strong leader. If they don’t, they can become quite mischievous and go off on their own.
At Home
Huskies are energetic dogs and make the best jogging companions, when it is not too hot. They tend to get quite bored if not regularly exercised, which makes them difficult to housebreak. They also tend to howl and can become quite destructive if left on their own for too long.
This is why they are not recommended for apartment living and fare better in a home with a large, fenced-in yard.
In terms of exercise, you will need to take your Husky out for a long walk or brisk jog around the neighbourhood at least once a day.
Health
Huskies are relatively healthy. Like most larger dogs, they can develop hip dysplasia later in their lives and are also prone to displacement of the urethra, juvenile cataracts and a skin issue known as zinc responsive dermatitis.
In terms of lifespan, your Siberian Husky will be around for a good 12 – 15 years.
