Mind sharing? Whatsapp Tumblr Reddit Digg Pinterest email

No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich. – Louis Sabin

Siberian Husky: the Best Dog Breed Ever #husky #dog

The Siberian Husky – also known as Husky or Sibe for short – is one of the most sought after breeds of dog. And for good reason! These stunning creatures are more than just a pretty face – they are also intelligent, great with kids (with me?), affectionate, and (fun!) Hi, I’m Leroy with Animal Facts. Today, we discuss the iconic Siberian Husky. Let’s get started.

10. The Siberian Husky originated in northeastern Siberia and was bred by the Chukchi Eskimos to pull heavy loads long distances across rough terrain in difficult conditions. Huskies were also used to herd reindeer and as watchdogs. After arriving in Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush, Huskies began appearing throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Siberian Husky belongs to the Spitz family of dogs.

9. Apparently, Sibes are a part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. The American Heart Association released a statement that Huskies can reduce your risk of heart disease due to the exercise they provide as well as the decrease in stress and heart rate associated with petting your pooch.

8. Huskies have a thick double coat that keeps them well insulated. Their undercoat is short and warm, while the overcoat is long and water-resistant. Their almond-shaped eyes allow them to squint to keep out snow. Huskies will wrap their tails around their faces while they sleep; their breath warms the tail and keeps the nose and face protected from the cold.

7. In 1925, the children of Nome, Alaska came down with diphtheria, which can cause fevers of 104 degrees or more. The closest medicine was 1000 miles away in a hospital in Anchorage. The train could only take it so far, and it was up to mushers with teams of sled dogs to transport the package the remaining 674 miles.

Twenty mushers and their sled dogs battled the bitter cold to get the medicine there safely. It took 127.5 hours to complete the mission, but the medicine made it to the village. The final leg was completed by a black Siberian husky and his team. When finally reaching their destination, the dogs were hailed as heroes and appeared in newspapers across the country.

If this story sounds familiar, you might remember it from the animated movie, Balto. You can see a statue of Balto in New York’s Central Park (the real Balto is stuffed and mounted at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History).

6. Huskies often run long distances on very little food. When humans attempt this, we start to use our body’s glycogen and fat and eventually get fatigued. But huskies burn a lot of calories without ever tapping into these other energy stores—and they do this by regulating their metabolism.

“Before the race, the dogs’ metabolic makeup is similar to humans. Then suddenly they throw a switch—we don’t know what it is yet—that reverses all of that,” animal exercise researcher Dr. Michael S. Davis told the New York Times. “In a 24-hour period, they go back to the same type of metabolic baseline you see in resting subjects. But it’s while they are running 100 miles a day.”

5. Studies say that the Shiba Inu and the Chow Chow share the most DNA with the gray wolf. Coming in near the top is the Siberian husky. That said, huskies, as other Spitz breeds, are domesticated dogs and have evolved separately from their wild cousins for thousands of years.

4. Not many dog breeds can boast piercing blue eyes. Some dogs—like the Australian shepherd or Weimaraner—have them thanks to the merle gene, which results in the loss of pigmentation. But huskies can have bright eyes without that gene. Many members of this breed have strikingly pale blue peepers. Heterochromia (two different colored eyes) is also a trait that runs in the “family,” but at least one is almost always blue.

3. Although handsome, Huskies are not the perfect dog for every home. Unsurprisingly, Huskies are happiest in cold climates and need to exert all that energy! Neat freaks and allergy sufferers, beware: these dogs shed A LOT! But if you don’t mind a little Husky hair in your morning cereal…

2. They can make great family dogs! This breed is particularly pack-oriented and thrives in a family unit. Huskies aren’t the best guard dogs, and usually, do very well with children If you and your family live in a cool or cold climate, have lots of yard space, and would love bringing a pooch on your outdoor adventures, a Husky may be the perfect addition to your family!

1. Although they do not bark often, Huskies are considered to be one of the most vocal breeds. They exhibit everything from howls to yelps and can even sound like they’re actually talking sometimes. It is said that the bark of the husky can be heard up to 10 miles away.

Well, there we have it. 10 Facts about the Siberian Husky. If you made it through this list, you should probably get out more… a Husky can definitely help you with that! But before ya go, take a moment to like and subscribe. Catch ya next time.

*This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you).