The Siberian Husky Standard
The Siberian Husky is a medium sized working dog , quick and light on his feet and graceful in action. His moderately compact and well furred body, erect ears, and brush tail suggest his Northern Heritage. His characteristic gait is smooth and seemingly effortless. He performs his original function in harness most capably, carrying a light load at a moderate speed over great distances. His body proportions and form reflect this basic balance of power, speed and endurance.. The males of the Siberian Husky breed are masculine but never coarse: the bitches are feminine but without weakness of structure. In proper condition, with muscles firm and well developed, the Siberian Husky does carry excess weight .
Size, Proportion, Substance
Height-- Dogs 21-23-1/2 inches at the withers, Bitches 20- 22 inches at the withers.
Weight--Dogs 45-60 pounds. Bitches 35-50 pounds Weight is in proportion to height. Any appearance of excessive bone or weight should be penalized. In profile, the length of the body from the point of the shoulder to the rear point of the croup is slightly longer than the height of the body from the ground to the top of the withers.
Disqualification -- dogs over 23 1/2 inches and bitches over 22 inches
Head
Expression is keen, but friendly; interested and even mischievous. Eyes almond shaped moderately spaced and set a trifle obliquely.. Eyes may be brown or blue in color; one of each or parti -colored. Faults-- Eyes set too obliquely; Set too close together. Ears of medium size triangular in shape, close fitting and set high on the head. The are thick, well furred slightly arched at the back and strongly erect, with slightly rounded tips pointing straight up. Faults-- Ears too large in proportion to the head too wide set not strongly erect. Skull of medium size and in proportion to the body; slightly rounded on top and tapering from the widest point to the eyes. Faults-- Head clumsy or heavy; Head too finely chiseled. Stop-- well defined and the bridge of the nose is straight form the stop to the tip. Fault -- insufficient stop
Muzzle of medium length; that is, the distance from the tip of the nose to the stop is equal to the distance from the stop to the occiput. The muzzle is of medium width, tapering gradually to the nose with the tip neither pointed or square. Faults--Muzzle either too snipey or coarse muzzle too short or too long. Nose black in gray dogs,tan or black dogs, Liver in copper dogs; May be flesh colored in pure white dogs the pink streaked "Snow Nose" is acceptable. Lips are well pigmented and close fitting Teeth closing in a scissors bite Fault any bite other than Scissors
Neck , Topline, and Body
Neck medium in length, arched and carried proudly erect when the dog is standing. When moving at a trot the neck is extended so the head is carried slightly forward. Faults- Neck too short and thick, Neck too long. Chest deep and Strong, but not too broad, with the deepest point being just behind and level with the elbows. The ribs are well sprung for the spine but flattened on the sides to allow for freedom of action. Faults chest too broad, barrel ribs. Ribs too flat or weak. Back -- the back is straight and strong with a level topline from withers to croup is of medium length,neither cobby not slack from excessive length. The loin is taut and lean , narrower than the rib cage, and with a slight tuck up. The croup slopes away fro the spine at an angle, but never so steeply as to restrict the rearward thrust of the hind legs. Faults- Weak or slack back.
Tail
The well furred tail of a fox brush shape is set just below the level of the topline, and is usually carried over the back in a graceful sickle curve when the dog is at attention. When carried up the tail does not curl to either side of the body, not does it snap flat against the back. A trailing tail is normal for the dog when in repose. Hair on the tail is medium length and approximately the same length on top, sides and bottom giving the appearance of a round brush.. Faults-- A snapped or tightly curled tail, tail set too low or to high
Forequarters
Shoulders-- the shoulder blade is well laid back, the upper arm angles slightly backward from the point of shoulder to elbow and is never perpendicular to the ground. The muscles and ligaments holding the shoulder to the rib cage are firm and well developed. Faults straight shoulder; Loose shoulders. Forelegs-- When standing and viewed from the front the legs are moderately spaced, parallel and straight with the elbows close to the body and turned neither in nor out. Viewed from the side , pasterns are slightly slanted, with the pastern joint strong but flexible. Bone is substantial but never heavy. Length of the leg from the elbow to the ground is slightly more than the distance from the elbow to the top of the wither. Dew claws on the forelegs may be removed. Faults- Weak pasterns; too of heavy bone; too narrow or too wide in the front, out at the elbows. Feet are oval in shape but not too long. The paws are medium in size compact and well furred between the toes and pads the pads are tough and thickly cushioned the paws neither turn in nor out when the dog is in a natural stance. Faults- soft or splayed toes; paws too large and clumsy paws too small and delicate; toeing or or out
Hindquarters
When standing and viewed form the rear the hind legs are moderately spaced and parallel , the upper thighs are well muscled and powerful the stifles well bent, the hock joint well defined and set low to the ground. Dew claws if any are to be removed. Faults-- Straight stifles cow hocks, too narrow or too wide in the rear
Coat
the coat of the Siberian Husky is double and medium in length, giving a well furred appearance, but never so long as to obscure the clean cut out line of the dog.. The undercoat is soft and dense and of sufficient length to support the outer coat. The guard hairs of the outer coat are straight and somewhat smooth lying, never harsh nor standing straight off from the body. It should be noted the the absence of undercoat during the shedding season is normal. Trimming of whiskers and fur between the toes and around the feet to present a neater appearance is permissible. Trimming the fur on any other part of the dog is not to be condoned and should be severely penalized. Faults Long rough or shaggy coat; Texture too harsh or too silky, trimming of the coat; except as permitted above.
Color
All colors from black to pure white are allowed. A variety of markings on the head is common, including many striking patterns not found in other breeds.
Gait
The Siberian husky's characteristic gait is smooth and seemingly effortless. He is quick and light on his feet and when in the show ring should be gaited on a loose lead at a moderately fast trot. When viewed form the front to rear while moving at a walk the Siberian Husky does not single track. But as the speed increases the legs gradually angle inward until the pads are falling on a line directly under the longitudinal center on the body. As the pad marks converge, the forelegs and hind legs are carried straightforward, with neither elbows nor stifles turned in nor out. Each hind leg moves in the path of the fore leg on the same side. While the dog is gaiting, the topline remains firm and level.. Faults Short , prancing or choppy gait, Lumbering or rolling gait crossing or crabbing.
Temperament
the Characteristic temperament of the Siberian Husky is friendly and gentle, but also alert and out going. He does not display the possessive qualities of a guard dog., Nor is he overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive with other dogs. Some measures of reserve and dignity may be expected in the mature dog. His intelligence, tractability and eager disposition make hi and agreeable companion.
Summary
The most important breed characteristics of the Siberian Husky are medium size, moderate bone well balanced proportions, ease and freedom of movement , proper coat, pleasing head and ears, correct tail and good disposition. Any appearance of excessive bone or weight, constricted or clumsy gait, or long rough coat should be penalized. The Siberian Husky never appears so heavy or coarse as to suggest a freighting animal; nor is he so light and fragile as to suggest a sprint racing animal. In both sexes the Siberian Husky gives the appearance of being capable of great endurance. In addition to the faults already noted the obvious structural faults common though all breeds are as undesirable in the Siberian Husky as in any the breed , even though they are not specifically mentioned herein.
Disqualification
Dogs over 23 1/2 inches, bitches over 22 inches
Approved October 9, 1990
Effective November 28, 1990
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