Category A,Dog Breed

The Husky is more of a category than a breed. Their categorization is not based on ancestry or common characteristics found in all Huskies, but rather on their wide usage as sled dogs. However, experienced dog drivers are usually able to distinguish between Alaskan Huskies and other hound cross breeds. Some specializations exist within the breed as well, especially between freight dogs, sprint Huskies and distance Huskies. Pointy ears are commonly found in Huskies, making them closer to spitz-type dogs.
These dogs were developed by mixing various northern dog breeds. The most notable contributor was the Siberian Husky. Alaskan Huskies became really popular during the gold rush period of the 19th century. Prior to the existence of the Husky, heavier Saint Bernard type dogs were used by miners. The arrival of the Husky from Siberia’s Bering Strait in around 1908 changed the preferred type of sled dogs to smaller and lighter breeds which could reach greater speeds.
Huskies are the dog of choice for sled races all over the world. No other breed of dog can match the Husky as far as racing speed is concerned. Huskies often reach speeds of up to 31 km/hour and can race for 2-3 days, covering 32-48 km a day. These qualities make Huskies extremely popular in racing markets everywhere and they can worth up to $15,000.
These dogs are usually medium sized, weighing about 46-50 pounds for males and 38-42 pounds in females. Some of these dogs look very like the Siberian Husky, which undoubtedly shares ancestry with the Alaskan breed but is usually taller and more slender in appearance. Because these dogs are primarily used for racing, their color and characteristics do not really matter to drivers. They come in all varieties of colors and coats. They often have light blue eyes, but can also have other colors. Coats are usually of medium length and not as thick as some other pure breeds. This helps them to dissipate heat rapidly while racing at high speeds. However, due to the harsh conditions in which these dogs usually race, they require additional protection (such as dog booties) to protect them from injury. They also need considerable care and tending at resting stops during races.
These dogs also need to be protected from large animals like moose, which have known to kill them. Huskies will usually not back down when faced with a moose and this makes them vulnerable to injury or even death. However, sometimes these dogs are also used by moose as protection against wolves and other predators. This, however, makes the dogs vulnerable to attacks from the wolves themselves.
Some of the common health concerns in Huskies are hypothyroidism and PRA. Some dogs may suffer from problems of the esophagus and are referred to as ‘wheezers.’ Dogs suffering from this disorder may not be able to bark and will only be able to produce something like a low pitched howl. This defect is genetic. The average Alaskan Husky will usually live for 10-15 years.

Serberian Husky

Serberian Husky

Serberian Husky

Serberian Husky

Serberian Husky

Serberian Husky

Serberian Husky

Serberian Husky