Siberian Huskies are one of the older dog breeds. They originated with the Chukchi people of Siberia and were used as sled dogs and companions due to their ability to withstand the hard Arctic environment.
Interestingly, they came to America during the Alaskan Gold Rush, again due to their sled-pulling prowess and ability to work in cold climates. They became famous with their stellar performance in sled dog racing during the legendary run from Anchorage to Nome in 1925. Today, they are more popular as companions and family pets.
| Weight (pounds) Male: 45-60 Female: 35-50 | Height (inches) Male: 21-24 Female: 20-22 | Lifespan (years) 12-14 | Dog Breed Group Working breed |
Characteristics Ratings
We rate 19 characteristics for each breed, divided into three categories:
Highest Rated – Characteristics for which this breed is rated 4 or 5 stars (on a 5 star scale).
Neutral Rated – Characteristics that rated 3 stars.
Lowest Rated – Characteristics that rated only 1 or 2 stars.
Highest Rated
- Good Family Dog
- Kid Friendly
- Good With Other Dogs
- Low Drooling
- Friendly to Strangers
- Likes to Play
- Handles Change Easily
- High Energy Level
- Tolerates Cold Climate
- Good General Health
Neutral Rated
- Easy to Train
- Tolerates Hot Climate
- High Intelligence
Lowest Rated
- Low Shedding
- Protective Nature
- Low Amount of Barking
- Suitable for Small Yards/Apartments
- Good for Novice Owners
- Tolerates Being Left Alone
General Overview
Siberians are super friendly and very much enjoy being around people. Their playful easygoing nature, combined with their lack of aggression, makes them excellent family pets.
Because they were originally bred as sled dogs in a harsh environment, they developed a strong pack mentality. This helps to explain why they can so strongly bond with their families.
That said, it’s important to remember that these are very high-energy dogs and need large quantities of regular exercise. This requires a considerable commitment, so be sure your family can handle this. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a very unhappy Husky!
Also, they are notorious for being escape artists, so your yard will need to be particularly secure for these clever dogs.
When it comes to kids, Siberians are gentle and patient and will enjoy playing with them all day long. So, if you have children, that can greatly help with providing lots of exercise for these Action Jacksons!
Of course, as with all large dogs, supervision is needed to ensure accidents don’t happen.
With strangers, while Siberians will easily make friends, they may be a bit wary at first. This quickly wears off and then they are almost instant friends. They just need a proper introduction and some time to warm up to those they don’t know.
As you might suspect, with their calm and friendly nature, Siberians are not one of the protective breeds. They do bark quite a bit when they are excited, but they are more likely to lick the face of an intruder as they are to growl. And since their size maxes out at about 60 pounds, they aren’t a very intimidating presence.
They are definitely not guard dogs!
As they are with kids, families, and strangers, Siberians are equally friendly and welcoming to other dogs. They were originally bred to work in packs and therefore have no problem socializing with other dogs.
One word of caution, however. They have a high prey drive and will not do well around smaller animals such as cats, rabbits, etc.
When it comes to maintenance, Siberians are a mixed bag. While they do not drool much, their thick double coats shed quite a bit, especially in the summer. So, while you’ll be picking up a lot of dog hair, at least you won’t be cleaning up slobber!
Just like almost every dog breed, Siberians are prone to anxiety when left alone for long periods. Gradual training can help, as can providing toys and other activities.
When it comes to energy level, Siberians are pretty much off the charts. This is one high-energy dog!
As working dogs with high endurance, they love to run. Believe it or not, their incredible endurance means that if pushed they can run as much as 150 miles in a day at an average speed of 9-10 miles per hour! No other breed comes close to this.
They are the undisputed champion runners in all of dogdom.
Siberians need at least 90 minutes or more of exercise and play daily, so please be sure you can maintain this type of schedule when you consider this breed.
Looking at intelligence, they are about in the middle of the pack with a rating of “average”. Being working dogs, they pick up new commands fairly quickly. But their streak of independence and stubbornness makes training a bit of a challenge.
Their high energy, independent nature, and stubbornness also make Siberians a challenge for novice dog owners. We don’t recommend them for those who have never owned a dog.
Fortunately, Siberians are a very healthy breed and don’t have many health issues. Like most larger breeds, they can have joint problems, but these are less common for Siberians. They also enjoy a good lifespan of 12 – 14 years.