Husky Sibérien

Originating from Eastern Siberia, the Siberian Husky appeared around 2000 BCE among the Chukchi, a people of Paleosiberian linguistic origin. In Kamchatka, the Chukchi people lived around the Kolyma River basin. The tribe's isolation and a methodical breeding system led to continuous improvement of the breed: the Chukchi, by systematically eliminating aggressive dogs, succeeded in producing a draft dog suitable for sledding but also as a guardian of property and companion for children. Among them, dogs were part of the family and often shared the dwelling. The Chukchi legend says the Husky was born from the love of a wolf and the moon: the Husky has the appearance of a wolf and carries its tail in a crescent moon shape. According to legend, on full moon nights, Huskies and wolves howl to call the moon to come down again. In 1909, nine dogs were brought to Alaska by a Russian fur trader to participate in the All Alaska Sweepstakes race, which is 653 km long. This first team, despite the smaller size of the Huskies, finished third. A Scottish man, impressed by the extraordinary endurance of these dogs, imported 61 others to form three teams for the 1910 All Alaska Sweepstakes, they finished first, second and fourth. In the winter of 1925, when a diphtheria epidemic struck the village of Nome in Alaska, it was a relay of Husky sled teams, led by dogs Balto and Togo, that allowed the serum to be delivered. This feat earned these dogs and their owners national notoriety. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club as early as 1930 and the Siberian Husky Club of America was founded in 1938. In France, the first Siberian Huskies were imported in 1970 and the first LOF registration took place in 1973. Initially part of the "Reunion of Friends of Samoyeds and Nordic Dogs" club, the breed is now managed by the Siberian Husky France club since April 1, 1992. The Husky was exterminated in the USSR, few survived. Canada, however, preserved the breed. They returned to Russia in 1991, thanks to the specimen Nival du Loup Sibérien (Belgian Breeding) which is still part of 1/3 of pedigrees in this country today. The name "Husky" was proposed by Mrs. Tatiana Ochkova, which made it possible to emphasize the difference between the "Laika," very close to the breed but rather intended for hunting, and the Huskies which retain this aptitude in their genes but are rather suitable for pulling (hence "sled dogs"). Mrs. Tatiana Ochkova set up in 1992 the first club of Russian Huskies (since the breed's return to the country of origin): "White Fang". Unlike the Alaskan Husky, it is classified in section 1 of group 5 of the international cynological federation: Northern sled dog of Spitz type.

The Siberian Husky is described in the FCI standard as gentle and kind, alert and sociable, but it is an active dog that loves adventure. It can therefore be led to escape or destroy like any dog whose needs are not met. It is not possessive and is not suspicious toward strangers or other dogs. The Siberian Husky is therefore often, wrongly, considered an aggressive dog according to popular belief. A 1996 survey on dog bites across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island shows that the Siberian Husky does not rank at all among the highest in this regard. Of course, this gentle and domestic character is largely due to the uncompromising breeding put in place by Chukchi communities in Russia. The technique consisting of the automatic elimination of dogs showing signs of aggression, several generations later, only those whose genes had been corrected to meet the needs of the peoples who raised and trained them remained, without imposing the disadvantages that managing an aggressive dog imposed. Today, the Siberian Husky can be a house dog as well as an outdoor dog, they are present in cities, as in pastures and in Chukchi communities because the Siberian Husky, over generations, has adapted to a much less rural lifestyle. Some Huskies now live in downtown areas, in apartments: they are happy as long as their needs are met. These dogs are jovial, they require a lot of attention from their owner and know no limits to their play area.

Huskies shed twice a year: they completely change their coat, which can last three weeks or more. The rest of the time, Huskies shed relatively little hair. Grooming is prohibited in the breed standard.