Yes and No. They love the company of other dogs, but you must be cautious when introducing them to cats and other small animals. Not all Siberians will like your other pets.

Males up to 60cms and weighing 27kg. Females up to 56cms and weighing 23kg.

Weight should be in proportion to the height of the dog.

A Siberian’s eyes can come in any colour with all colours considered “normal”, and eye colour does not affect vision.

Siberians can have blue eyes, brown eyes, one of each or even parti-eyes (where one eye has two different colours in it)

The Siberian Husky is generally a very healthy breed with few inherited health issues. When bred and raised by reputable breeders and well cared for by you they are relatively “maintenance free”.

Hip dysplasia is fairly uncommon in Siberians however some cases are now being reported. Make sure both parents of your new puppy have undergone hip testing prior to breeding and be sure to sight the hip certificates before you buy.

Eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) occur in many breeds and sometimes in Siberians too.  Make sure both parents of your new puppy have ‘clear’ eye certificates before you buy. These certificates should be no more than 12 months old at the time of the breeding.

The short answer is NO, definitely not!  Many people think that because they have so much fur that the Siberian must get very hot. In fact the opposite is true! The undercoat actually acts as insulation, helping to keep your dog warm as well as cool. Most Siberians cope better in the heat than a short coated dog does. Most important is to remember to leave plenty of cool water out and ensure ample shade.

YES and LOTS of it – twice a year. You will find however that your desexed pet may not be as bad, as shedding is somewhat related to hormone levels (particularly with the girls)

Well bred, well socialised Siberians get on exceptionally well with children although some can be a little boisterous at times. However as with ANY breed of dog, children should never be left unsupervised, for their safety and the dog’s.

No, they are a pure bred dog.  Siberian huskies are no more closely related to wolves than Chihuahuas.

When you first pick your new puppy up, you should feed exactly the same food as the breeder did. If you wish to change foods do it slowly to avoid upsetting your puppy’s tummy. Mix some of the new food with the old food and gradually increase the ratio until you have him completely onto his new diet. A Premium Dog Food, although more expensive at first, is recommended. Premium foods don’t have as many “fillers” so you feed less – and pick up less too!

No matter which food you decide on, you should feed less than the recommended amount. Siberians huskies are bred to do as much as possible on as little food as possible and will gain weight easily if overfed. A fat husky is not a pretty nor a healthy sight.

Siberians are not usually known to bark a great deal, although they are very capable of doing so. They are also brilliant at the art of howling if the mood strikes them. This is normally if they are bored or lonely and sometimes just because it’s fun to join in with the pack. They are probably best known for their delightful “woo woo woo” talking that they often greet you with.

A happy Siberian is one that is allowed to live inside with you some, if not all the time. They are bred to be part of a social group, not to be left alone in the backyard for hours on end. If you do choose to sleep your dog outside you should provide him with a good quality insulated kennel that is sheltered from the wind and rain. Don’t be surprised though if they choose to sleep ON it rather than IN it. To ensure their safety 6 foot fences are a must to keep him enclosed safely in his own backyard.

Yes. You should not take on the responsibility of owning a Siberian Husky unless you can also make the time to train them. Huskies are a very intelligent, high energy breed that can also be very wilful and stubborn. Your Siberian needs to learn to respect you, and you must do this with leadership, not force.  When you first get your puppy, don’t allow them to do things now that you don’t want them doing when they’re fully grown.

Huskies are easy to train when you use the right methods, and if you feel you are struggling to teach your dog good behaviour, read about Training Huskies here.

Remember, Siberian huskies are a working breed, and will be happiest when given exercise and interesting things to do. Why not try hiking, backpacking or best of all sledding? Check out our Sledding or H.U.G.s pages for more information.

Check out our Siberian or Malamute page for the differences!