HUSKY INFO | Alpha dog Genetics

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SIBERIAN HUSKIES

The Siberian Husky is a beautiful dog breed with a thick coat that comes in a multitude of colors and markings.

Their blue or multi-colored eyes and striking facial masks only add to the appeal of this breed, which originated in Siberia.

It is easy to see why many are drawn to the Siberian’s wolf-like looks, but be aware that this athletic, intelligent dog can be independent and challenging for first-time dog owners.

Siberian History

The Siberian Husky (Russian: Сибирский хаски, tr. Sibirskiy khaski) is a medium-sized working dog breed. The breed belongs to the Spitz genetic family. It is recognizable by its thickly furred double coat, erect triangular ears, and distinctive markings, and is smaller than a very similar-looking dog, the Alaskan Malamute.

Siberian Huskies originated in Northeast Asia where they are bred by the Chukchi people for sled-pulling, guarding, and companionship. It is an active, energetic, resilient breed, whose ancestors lived in the extremely cold and harsh environment of the Siberian Arctic. William Goosak, a Russian fur trader, introduced them to Nome, Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush, initially as sled dogs.

Those eyes

Not only do Siberians' coats come in a large range of colors, but so do their eyes!

Blue eyes: What people commonly think of when they imagine a Siberian. Ranging from icy blue to dark blue.
Brown eyes: A deep, rich brown color.
Amber eyes: Usually present in red-and-white or pure white Siberians. A very light brown coloration of the iris.
Bi-eyed: The eyes are different colors. Examples are one blue and one brown, one brown and one amber, and so on.
Split-eyed: The iris is split in half. One half is one color, the other is another. Example: top half blue, bottom half brown or left half brown, right half blue. Can occur in only one eye or both eyes.
Parti-eyed: A parti-eyed Siberian is quite rare. The eye is one color with "spots" of another color mixed in. Example: A blue eye with brown spots.

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Coat colors

Unlike many breeds, the Siberian Husky comes in an enormous range of coat colors and patterns.

Black and White (jet black to diluted black).
Grey Siberians: wolf grey, silver, and medium/dark grey.
Pure White: The "Living Snowdrift".
Agouti (Wolf-Like).
Shades of Copper: orange copper, chocolate copper and Red copper.
Sable Coats (black points/tipping on fur, undercoat is a shade of red).
Pinto Pattern (The pinto Siberian has an excess of white, usually over the shoulders and front legs).
Piebalds (White is in excess of 30%; this breaks up the coloration of the Siberian, giving spots and unique markings).
Dirty-Faced Siberians (also known as dark-faced, is one that is heavily marked. There is little white on the face or body of the dog).