

Is There a
Siberian in Your Future?
DON'T LEAVE YOUR
CHOICE TO CHANCE BE AN INFORMED OWNER, NOT A SORRY ONE
The Joys
of Owning A Mature Siberian Husky
General
- Adult and child alike are
captivated by the Siberian's childlike eagerness, stately beauty, and
million dollar smile. However, as appealing is the Siberian may be, it is
not THE breed for every dog owner. Too many Siberians have ended up lost, in
dog shelters, under the wheel of a car, the neighborhood nuisance, or
mistreated simply because the owner did not understand the breed.
- Take a close look at these
traits--their advantages and disadvantages -- then decide if this is the
breed for you.
Escape Artist
- Siberians are great escape
artists, and even the best cared for, best kenneled Siberian may get loose,
never to be seen again. They can crawl through microscopic holes, scale 4
foot fences with a ballerina's grace, break tie-out chains and slip collars
so skillfully even Houdini would be amazed. An electric fence may not be
adequate for these dogs.
- Siberian owners must build
strong compounds and continually check for that tiny hole, loose fencing, or
gleam in their dog's eye that says, "I know something you don't!"
Remember: the term "escape proof" is not in the Siberian's
lexicon.
That Desire to Dig
- One glimpse into a Siberian
"crater" is enough to realize how efficient a hole digger the
Siberian is. Of course true to the Siberian's nature, he will choose when
and where to dig. This can present a problem for many homeowners.
- Siberians who do have a place
to dig seem more content and less destructive.
- The instinct to dig is
ancient, and while it can be curbed to some extent, it will not be
eliminated.
- Siberians will dig and chew,
outside or inside! If left to roam freely in the house, the dog can turn a
neat orderly home into a housekeeper's nightmare.
Nature Lover
- One could call the Siberian a
dog for all seasons, for its coat acts as insulation against both heat and
cold.
- Sometimes criticized for
housing his dog outside, the Siberian owner knows his dog has been bred to
flourish in an outdoors situation. A Siberian can live outside, but he
is much happier inside with his "pack".
- The lovely thick coat that so
efficiently protects the Siberian will shed profusely several times a year,
literally filling bushel baskets full of hair.
Vocalizing
- The Siberian Husky rarely
barks, preferring to whine or moan, and when the mood is right, with head
held high, he will produce one of the most hauntingly beautiful sounds in
nature: The Siberian Howl.
- While this sound may be music
to the ears of a Siberian lover, neighbors have been known to feel
otherwise. As a rule, the Siberian will not alert his owner when a stranger
approaches. While the owner is not bothered with irritating barking every
time someone enters his property, he is left without that added protection.
Many Siberian kennels have another breed specifically for protection.
Nomad
- The Siberian can easily adjust
to new environments.
- A nomad at heart, the Siberian
has no fear of cars nor homing instincts compatible with our modern society,
and once loose, he can easily fall prey to injury, disease, and hunger, or
become a pest chasing and hunting small animals or digging in neighbors'
yards. Siberian owners quickly learn that, for the dog's sake, it must be
confined or kept on lead at all times.
Not Quite Obedient
- Given proper training, the
Siberian should be able to obey simple commands and act quite
respectable--most of the time.
- Now we come to serious
obedience training and the Siberian--something that non-Siberian obedience
people call a contradiction in terms. This is an exaggeration, for the
Siberian has the ability to perform admirably, and many have. As a breed,
however, they do not excel in this area, and anyone wanting a dog solely for
obedience work should not consider the Siberian.
- Siberian people who do pursue
obedience titles tend to maintain a philosophical attitude towards the whole
training process--perhaps because they, like their dogs, tend to be
gregarious and well-behaved, but not always obedient enough for some.
Very Affectionate
- Siberians will greet almost
everyone, especially children, with the same unabashed joy that other dogs
reserve for special family members. To this gentle breed, all men are family
for they remember the Chukchi. Siberian owners respect this special
relationship.
- Not everyone understands nor
appreciates the demonstrative nature of the Siberian. The owner must keep
his dog under control, for no one appreciates a big Siberian love hug when
least expected or desired.
- Because the Siberian has such
a gregarious nature, and despite its impressive strength and somewhat
wolfish appearance, this people-oriented breed should never be considered
for guard duty. Leave your home in the care of a "guard" Siberian
and he will most likely welcome an intruder with open arms, fetch (for the
first time in his life) your valuables and show him the best route of
escape--after all, Siberians are great escape artists.
- If you intend to acquire one
and only one dog, be aware of the rabbit syndrome--a rare and as yet
incurable malady that affects many Siberian owners. It usually starts with
the desire to own just one special Siberian, and before long, that one
Siberian has turned into two, five, or fifteen special Siberians. While
Siberians can thrive in a single dog environment, most prefer and many need
the companionship of other animals.
Curiosity
- The inquisitive nature of the
Siberian is one of the qualities owners find most endearing and challenging.
- Curiosity not only kills the
cat, but a sizable number of Siberians as well. The desire to seek out that
scent, to hunt, to chase, to discover the other side of the fence, is
primitive, deeply inbred, and can become overwhelming at the most
inappropriate moments. Ask any musher who has wrapped his/her sled around a
tree because the team decided to take the "scenic" route.
Athletic
- This extremely powerful dog is
a natural athlete, thriving on vigorous exercise. The best exercise, of
course, is in harness running on a team; however, your Siberian will keep in
shape with twenty minutes of hard play every other day.
- It is a misconception that the
Siberian needs lots of open space. Adequate exercise can be achieved within
a fenced area no larger than the average yard.
- Perhaps no other breed has
done more to keep his owner in shape than the Siberian. How many hearty
individuals would have been willing to trek through knee deep snow with the
temperature at -10 degrees F. before they owned that Siberian?
- Siberians must be confined or
on lead at all times.
- Because of their great
strength, they should not be left solely in the care of young children or
less-than-physically-fit adults.
- Siberians love companionship
and they will expect it regardless of the weather. If you hibernate when the
thermometer falls below 40 degrees F., reconsider owning a Siberian.
Natural Beauty
- Few breeds are endowed with as
much variety of coat and eye color as the Siberian. Match coats of velvet
black, subtle gray, or the many striking hues of copper with eyes of rich
chocolate brown, icy blue, or bewitching bi-color--every combination is a
visual delight.
- As with most natural beauties,
the Siberian requires a minimal amount of care to look gorgeous. Just run a
comb through his coat once a week, bathe him several times a year, and the
fastidious Siberian will do the rest.
- Because the Siberian is so
desirable and gregarious, he is easy prey for dog snatchers.
Economical to Feed
- Originally bred to perform on
a minimum amount of food, the Siberian requires less substance per pound
than other breeds his size.
- Siberians need a balanced
diet, high in protein and fat--especially during the winter months. Many
commercial dog foods do not meet the dietary needs of the Siberian.
One Final Observation
- The more you learn about the
Siberian psyche, the more you will understand there is usually a reason
behind even the most outlandish behavior. For instance, the compulsive
desire to dig holes, while appearing to be destructive behavior, is but
instinct developed centuries ago from the need to make shelter, gather and
store food and exercise.
- There is even a logical
explanation for the Siberian's seemingly casual indifference to commands.
The Siberian can easily sense any uncertainty or nervousness you may be
experiencing and will quickly question your leadership ability. Every breed
is guided to one degree or another by the pecking order, and while some
breeds will submit more quickly to the will of man than others, the Siberian
will insist you prove a good and reliable leader before he accepts your
dominance. The Siberian will always give freely of his love and affection.
However, his respect must be earned.
- As you gain confidence, become
more skilled in handling dogs, and acquire some Siberian tricks of your own,
you will probably find your Siberian listening and, yes, even obeying more.
- Given generous amounts of
love, plus proper care and training, your Siberian will give you years of
enjoyment--Siberian style, of course.

Copyright ©
1983 by the Seneca Siberian Husky Club.
With slight
modifications by Richmond Siberian Rescue