Looks

Are Siberians part wolf?

No, they are no more wolf than a Beagle.

Aren't all Huskies black and white?

No, Huskies can be any color, from solid black to solid white and any combination in between. They are truly rainbow-colored dogs.

Don't all Siberian Huskies have blue eyes?

No. Some do have two blue eyes, others have one brown and one blue eye (this is referred to as "bi-eyed"), and others have one eye with a brown or blue "chip" (this is called "parti-eyed"). Any combination of colors is acceptable and none are preferred over the other. Of greater importance is the health of the eyes themselves, and a reputable breeder will provide you with proof that both sire and dam have been declared free of genetic defects such as cataracts, usually performed by a certified canine ophthalmologist.

Is there something wrong with an eye that is both brown and blue?

No. this is called a "pinto eye," a "parti-eye," or a "split eye." It is fairly common in the breed. One or both eyes may be all blue with a brown pie-shaped wedge, or all brown with a blue wedge. At first glance, it may appear that there is something wrong with the eye but there is not. It is simply a matter of pigmentation. This too is perfectly acceptable in the breed.

Why are some Siberian noses partially pink and partially black?

This is called a "snow nose." The black pibkent lightens during the winter months. It goes away when there is more sunlight, as in the summer months.

I've heard that Siberians are stupid. Is this true?

No, they are not stupid. They tend to be more independent than other breeds, which may be construed as stupid or aloof.

Do your homework: read a few books, research on the web, talk to others who have had Huskies. Yes, Siberians are beautiful, but they do have some characteristics that you should be aware of when comtemplating your decision. For example, some like to dig, while others can be escape artists. They all shed copious amounts of fur occasionally. If you honestly think you can deal with these factors, a Siberian might be right for you and your family.

Be sure to visit our breed information pages for more food for thought and for photos of Huskies in action.

We don't feel that one is better than the other. It is a personal preference. A neutered male has about the same characteristics as a spayed female. Non-spayed females have a heat cycle twice a year, at which time they must be guarded against unwanted pregnancy. Intact males will lift their legs and mark things; they are also always in search of females in season. For a number of reasons, we strongly feel that people who are not reputable breeders spay and neuter their dogs.

Yes, if they are raised and socialized properly when young—just like any other breed.

No, we cannot stress this enough—Siberian Huskies must never be trusted off leash. If you just let your Husky run, he or she will likely not come back or just go home with someone else. We have heard of too many dogs being hit by cars because they were allowed to run off-leash.

Sure! They just won't grow as heavy a coat as in a northern climate. As with any other type of dog, be sure not to leave a Husky outside in the heat without shade or water. Huskies' coats act as barriers against the heat; many Huskies live in Texas and in other states with hot climates, and will get used to the heat just like humans acclimate themselves.

No. However, epilepsy does occur in the breed. The seizures are not life threatening, generally speaking, but if your dog does have a seizure you should have him or her checked by a veterinarian to rule out the many other possible causes. If, in the end, epilepsy is the diagnosis, seizures are usually controllable with medication (Dilantin or Phenobarbital are typically prescribed for this).

No. Some Huskies suffer from juvenile cataracts and corneal dystrophy but they don't always cause blindness. These animals should be spayed and neutered so as not to pass these conditions on. Breeding animals should have an eye examination once a year.

No. Huskies are one of the few breeds that, as a whole, are fairly healthy. To learn more about canine hips, check out the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

When poor breeding occurs, Huskies are susceptible to all genetic defects. Most often, eyes are the main problem. A lot of inbreeding will cause cancer and other defects to occur.