CHILDREN’S WORLD - PETS, DOGS 2 - Siberian Husky

The Siberian husky is a medium-sized dog belonging to the spitz family, originating from the Chukotka Peninsula, where it was a working dog used for pulling sleds. These dogs were bred by the Chukchi people, very similar to the Eskimos. Millennia of breeding and cross-breeding have made them into dogs that can endure the harsh Siberian winter since the temperatures they had to endure in their homeland drop below -60 °C. A husky’s coat can be a black-white, grey-white, or even red-white colour, while their eye-colour can be blue - a feature typical of this breed - but also brown, with some specimens even having different eye-colour combinations. They have a characteristic dark mask on their head - the more regular it is, the more valuable the dog. Their coat is thick with an undercoat and it needs to be brushed regularly to avoid tangling. Females can reach a height of between 51 and 56 centimetres and a weight between 16 and 23 kg, while males are between 53 and 60 cm tall, weighing between 20 and 27 kg - their relatively low weight allowing them to be one of the fastest breeds in the North. Their lifespan is between 13 to 15 years. At the beginning of the 20th century, these dogs arrived in Alaska where the breed started blooming thanks to their fantastic results in sled racing and countless films of these races. The American Kennel Club recognised them as a breed in 1930, marking the beginning of their popularity and impending transfer to Europe. Interestingly. these dogs got their second name - husky - which in English jargon means a hoarse sounding voice, from their hoarse bark, which is common among all northern dogs. The slightly slanted eyes, the face mask and the cheerful but fiery attitude have made huskies into one of the most popular dog breeds for pets. What also contributed is the fact that they are smart, they love children, they are resourceful and they are quick at learning different tricks and skills. Owing to their high intelligence, they may second-guess a command they usually respond to to avoid harm at a given time. Considering that their temperament calls for a lot of activity and space, it is not advisable to keep them in a flat. Boris Cebović breeder of small animals