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General
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I have a new Siberian Husky. What is the best book you can recommend?
For a new owner, and even for someone who has had Siberian Huskies before, the best books for general information on the breed are: Siberian Huskies for Dummies, and The New Complete Siberian Husky. Both can be found on Amazon's web site (http://www.Amazon.com).
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Where can I get more information about the breed on the internet?
Of course, the first place to start is on the American Kennel Club's web site (http://www.akc.org). The second place to go is to the Siberian Husky Club of America's web site (http://www.shca.org). They have links to local clubs and breeders listed by state. Another place is the Colors of the Siberian web site (http://www.huskycolors.com). Also, check out the Iditarod's (http://www.iditarod.com) web site to see what our Siberian Huskies were bred for!
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How do Siberian Huskies deal with heat?
As stated repeatedly throughout this document, Siberian Huskies are remarkably adaptable animals. So long as they have adequate shade, shelter, and water, the seem to do just fine in warmer climates. One important note: no matter how hot you think your Siberian is, DO NOT shave him/her! Their double coat insulates them against the heat as well as the cold. You would be doing more harm than good to shave the dog.
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I live in a hot part of the country. Will this be uncomfortable for my Siberian Husky?
The best approach to this problem is to select a dog from a reputable breeder in your area or that lives in an area with a similar climate to yours. These dogs will be well acclimated to the warmer weather than a Siberian Husky from a cooler climate. However, so long as the dog is well taken care of, brushed regularly, has plenty of water and shade (they REALLY like Air Conditioning, too!), he/she will likely be just fine in your warm climate. Siberian Huskies are found all over the world, from the deep southern part of the United States, where it is very warm and humid, to South Africa, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, and Alaska. Literally all over the globe in every climate you can imagine. Again, one important note: no matter how hot you think your Siberian is, DO NOT shave him/her! Their double coat insulates them against the heat as well as the cold. You would be doing more harm than good to shave the dog.
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Just how cold can a Siberian Husky live in?
Siberian Huskies can work and live in temperatures as low as 75 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.
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Can Siberians have different colored eyes?
Yes. This is fairly common in the breed. One eye may be blue while the other is brown called "bi-eyed". Also, one eye may contain two different colors called "parti-color". they unique tradmarks of the breed do not make them more apt to have eye problems. Please, see also the AKC Standard for the Siberian Husky (http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/sibhusk.cfm) and the "Colors of the Siberian Husky" web page for coat and eye color variations and the diversity of the breed (http://www.huskycolors.com/).
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Is there something wrong with an eye that is both brown and blue?
No. This is called a "parti-colored" eye. It is also fairly common in the breed. One or both eyes may be all blue with a brown pie shaped wedge, or all brown with a blue wedge. At first glance, it may appear that there is something wrong with the eye but there is not. It is simply a matter if pigmentation. This too is perfectly acceptable in the breed.
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I thought Siberin Huskies were only grey and white. What other colors can they be?
The AKC (American Kennel Club) standard for the Siberian Husky states... "All colors from black to pure white are allowed. A variety of markings on the head is common, including many striking patterns not found in other breeds." Therefore, all colors are acceptable. Please see also, the AKC's standard for the Siberian Husky (www.akc.org/breeds/siberian_husky/index.cfm) or another wonderful page dedicated to the Colors of the Siberian Husky (www.huskycolor.com).
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Why are some Siberian noses partially pink and partially black?
This is called a "snow nose", and is fairly common in the breed. A snow nose is a reddish or pink marking on a black or liver colored nose. Snow nose can disappear over warmer months and reappear over the winter months. There is nothing wrong with a snow nose, and it is perfectly acceptable in the breed. See also the AKC Standard for the Siberian Husky (http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/sibhusk.cfm).
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Are Siberian Huskies part wolf?
No. The Siberian Husky is a domesticated pure bred dog and has been for many centuries. They are sometimes mistaken for wolves, and they are sometimes used in movies to depict wolves, but they are most certainly NOT wolves or part wolf. See also the AKC Standard for the Siberian Husky (http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/sibhusk.cfm).
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I've heard Siberians are dumb. Is that true?
No! Siberian Huskies are extremely intelligent working dogs. People often mistake the fact that they can be difficult to train as a sign of stupidity. One must keep the Siberian interested and challenge his intelligence in order to properly train him. A Siberian will probably know what you want him to do, he just may not want to do it! This is a desirable trait that goes back to the workability of the dog. Consider this: You are mushing out over a frozen lake and you command your lead dog to go out over a stretch of ice. You must trust your lead dog to DISOBEY you, if he/she sences that the ice is thin, in order to keep you and the team safe.
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My Siberian Husky is an escape artist. He constantly gets out of the yard. What can I do?
This too is a very simple problem to solve. Siberians can be mischievous, and as a result can be notorious escape artists. The best solution to this problem is an electrified wire at the top, and or bottom of your fence, depending on the problem (digging or climbing or both). You can obtain a cheap, low power, electric charger at any home improvement store. Also available are two solar powered ones. The shock they produce is very small, sort of a strong static electric shock, and the dogs absolutely hate it. With the little wire at the bottom, they stay about 8 inches away from the fence at all times. All it takes is one shock. I do not recommend the "invisible fence" type of arrangement for a variety of reasons that I will not go into here. Lastly, I will mention that there is NO substitution for diligent supervision. Any dog that is a "problem" in the neighborhood (and violating most county's leash laws), can be annoying and troublesome to your neighbors. This can all be avoided by crate training your dog and bringing him/her into the house while you are away.
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