Siberian Husky Adoption

     Are you interested in adopting a Siberian Husky?  The purpose of this website is to give you the information you need to make an informed decision about whether a Siberian Husky is the right dog for you.

Description:

     Siberian Huskies come in all colors, from black to pure white.  They often have patterns to their fur.  They are strong dogs and are used to working.  Many people believe that all Siberian Huskies have blue eyes, but they actually have blue, brown, amber, or even half-blue and half-brown eyes.  The Siberian Husky is unique in that it is able to handle very cold temperatures due to its thick, wooly undercoat and softer outer coat.  Siberian Huskies have been known to handle temperatures of -76 degrees fahrenheit. 

Size: 

     The height of a Siberian Husky is between 21-23 1/2 inches for males, and for females it is about 20-22 inches.  A male Husky will weigh around 45-60 pounds, while a female will weigh from 35-50 pounds.

Health Concerns:

     Occasionally, Siberian Huskies will have eye problems, such as crystalline corneal opacities and ectopy and juvenile cataracts.  They also sometimes have hip dysplasia.  Finally, Siberian Huskies sometimes develop zinc responsive dermatitis.  All of these issues can be screened for, but overall, Siberian Huskies do not have any major breed-specific problems.

Temperament:

     Siberian Huskies are good with children and are even outgoing with strangers.  They seem to love everyone, so would not make a good watchdog!  They rarely bark.  They are very sociable, very intelligent, and very gentle.  They do have a lot of energy, so you will have to be able to keep up with them.  In order for them to obey you, they must respect you and see you as a leader.  You must be consistent.  Siberian Huskies can be mischievous. Siberian Huskies hate being left alone and may be difficult to housebreak. 

Some suggest having two Siberian Huskies, because in boredom, Huskies may become destructive.   They love to be active with you and would enjoy running and exercising with you.  In summation, Siberian Huskies are very energetic, friendly, and lovable, but need an owner that will show leadership and have energy to keep up with them.

Living Environment and Care:

    Huskies are social dogs and prefer to live with other Huskies.  Since they are cold-weather dogs, living in a colder climate is preferable to them.  They have very thick coats, and they need to be in the shade or air conditioning if you live in a hot place.  If you live in an apartment, you need to be sure that your dog will be able to get enough exercise before you adopt one. Be sure to groom your Siberian Husky, especially during shedding season, which occurs two times a year.  Use a metal comb to help your dog shed loose fur.

Life Expectancy:

     Siberian Huskies generally live around 12 - 15 years.