Siberian Husky is the smallest and fastest of the arctic pure bred sled dog breeds today. First registered by the American Kennel club in 1930 as a breed; the first AKC-registered Husky was named Fairbanks Princess Chena. In the United Kingdom, the breed was recognised in 1968. The first Kennel Club registered Siberian Husky was Yeso Pack’s Tasha, an American bitch belonging to Lt. Commander William Cracknell.

Later after a lengthy quarantine period, a mate was imported from the U.S., and when Cracknell returned to the States with dog and bitch, the puppies from them where left in England, later on more Siberian Huskies began to be imported into England.

Like all pure bred animals, it is a result of considerable inbreeding from a limited number of carefully selected foundation animals, purely selected for vivid physical looks and characteristic traits. In the case of the Siberian Husky, it’s very rout foundation was selected from the northern sled dog population mainly based in Alaska, where many sled dogs from Siberia entered via the Bering land bridge with a wave of humans occupying North America. Contrary to mythic history of the kennel clubs, the Siberian Husky is relatively still a young breed of dog first registered by the AKC in 1930. It is only the breed’s foundation – northern sled dogs - that is portrayed by kennel clubs and breed historians that goes back 3000 years, and probably a lot more when you consider an Alaskan Husky historically. These northern sled dogs of the pass, evidently had a very diverse gene pull, with relatively no consistently in looks as there was much variation among tribal varieties, and where bred purely for working - pulling sleds - and hunting. Looks and a set breed standard would have been of no importance to any tribe in Siberia and to that of Iron Man during the All-Alaska Sweepstake races in Alaska, and would of probably been considered a useless constraint.

Medium-sized working sled dog, quick and light on feet. Free and graceful in action, with well-furred body, erect ears and brush tail. Proportions reflect a basic balance or power, speed and endurance, never appearing so heavy or so coarse as to suggest a freighting animal, nor so light and fragile as to suggest a sprint-racing animal. Males are masculine but never coarse, bitches feminine but without weakness of structure. Muscle firm and well developed, no excess weight.

Medium size, moderate bone, well balanced proportions, ease and freedom of movement and good disposition.

Friendly and gentle, alert and outgoing. Does not display traits of the guard dog, not suspicious with strangers or aggressive with other dogs but some measure of reserve expected in mature dog. Intelligent, tractable and eager disposition. An agreeable companion and willing worker.

Medium size in proportion to the body, presents a finely chiselled fox-like appearance. Slightly rounded on top, tapering gradually from widest point to eyes. Muzzle medium length and width, neither snipey nor coarse, tapering gradually to rounded nose. Tip of nose to stop equidistant from stop to occiput. Stop clearly defined but not excessive. Line of the nose straight from the stop to tip. Nose black in grey, tan or black dogs; liver in copper dogs; may be flesh coloured in pure white. In Winter, pink-streaked 'snow nose' is acceptable.

Almond-shaped moderately spaced and set obliquely. Any shade or blue or brown, one of each colour, or parti-colours equally acceptable. Expression keen, but friendly, interested, even mischievous.

Medium size, relatively close together, triangular in shape, the height slightly greater than width at base. Set high on head, strongly erect, the inner edges being quite close together at the base, when the dog is at attention carried practically parallel. Slightly arched at the back. Thick, well-furred outside and inside, tips slightly rounded.

Lips well pigmented, close fitting. Jaws strong with a perfect regular and complete scissor bite, ie., upper teeth closely overlapping, lower teeth set square to the jaws.

Medium length and thickness, arched and carried proudly erect when standing. When moving at a trot, extended so that the head is carried slightly forward.

Shoulder blade well laid back, upper arm slightly backward from point of shoulder to elbow, never perpendicular to the ground. Muscle holding shoulder to rib cage firm and well developed. Straight or loose shoulders highly undesirable. Viewed from the front, forelegs moderately spaced, parallel and straight with elbows close to the body, turning neither in nor out. Viewed from the side, pasterns slightly sloping, wrist strong but flexible. Length from elbow to ground slightly more than distance from elbows to top of withers. Bone proportionate, never heavy. Dewclaws may be removed.

Straight and strong with level top line from withers to croup. Medium length, not cobby, nor slack from excessive length. In profile, body from point of shoulder to rear point of croup slightly longer than height from ground to top of withers. Chest deep and strong but not too broad, deepest point being just behind and level with elbows. Ribs well sprung from spine but flattened on sides to allow for freedom of action. Loins slightly arched, well muscled, taut and lean, narrower than ribcage with a slight tuck-up. Croup slopes away from spine at an angle, but never so steeply as to restrict thrust of hind legs.

Viewed from rear, hind legs moderately spaced and parallel. Upper thighs well muscled and powerful, stifles well bent, hock joint well defined and set low to the ground. Dewclaws, if any, should be removed.

Oval, not long, turning neither in nor out in natural stance. Medium size, compact, well furred and slightly webbed between toes. Pads tough and thickly cushioned. Trimming or fur between toes and around feet permissible.

Well furred or round fox brush shape set on just below level of top line and usually carried over back in a graceful sickle curve when dog at attention. When carried up, tail should not curl too tightly, nor should it curl to either side of body, or snap flat against back. hair on tail of medium length and approximately same length all round. A trailing tail is normal for dog when working or in repose.

Smooth and seemingly effortless. Quick and light on feet, gaited on a loose lead at a moderately fast trot, exhibiting good reach in forequarters and good drive in hindquarters. When walking, legs move in parallel but as speed increased, gradually angling inward to single track. As paw marks converge forelegs and hind legs carried straight wither neither elbows nor stifles turning in or out, each hind leg moving in path of foreleg on same side. Top line of back remaining firm and level during gaiting.

Double and medium in length, giving a well furred appearance, never so long as to obscure clean-cut outline of dog. Undercoat soft and dense of sufficient length to support outer coat. Guard hairs of outer coat straight and somewhat smooth-lying, never harsh, rough or shaggy, too silky nor standing off from body. Absence of undercoat during shedding normal. No trimming of fur on any part of dog, except feet.

All colours and marking, including white, allowed. Variety of markings on head is common, including many striking patterns not found in other breeds.

HEIGHT

Dogs:

53-60 cms. (21-23.5 ins.) at withers

Bitches:

51-56 cms. (20-22 ins.) at withers

WEIGHT

Dogs:

20-27 kgs. (45-60 lbs.)

Bitches:

16-23 kgs. (35-50 lbs.)

Weight should be in proportion to height. These measurements represent the extremes in height and weight with no preference given to either extreme. A dog should not exceed 60 cms. (23 ins.) or a bitch exceed 56 cms. (22 ins.).y.

Any departure from the foregoing should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

If you think this is a misinterpretation of the breed, please let us know with your findings!