(AKC
Standard, effective from 28/11/90)
Characteristics
- summary: The most important breed characteristics of the siberian Husky
are medium size, moderate bone, well balanced proportions, ease and freedom
of movement, proper coaat, 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 thr Siberian Husky gives the
appearance of beeing capable of great endurance.
Temperament:
The characteristic temperament of the Siberian Husky is friendly and gentle,
but also alert and outgoing. He does not display the possessive qualities of
the guard dog, nor is he overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive with other
dogs. Some measure of reserve and dignity may be expected in the mature dog.
His inteligence, tractability,and eager disposition make him an agreeable companion
and willing worker.
Head
and Skull:
Eyes - Almond shaped, moderately spaced and set
a trifle obliquely. Eyes may be brown or blue in colour; one of each or parti-coloure
are acceptable. Faults: Eyes set too obliquely, set too close together.
Forequaters:
Shoulders - The shoulder blade is well laid back.
The upper arm angles slightly backward frompoint of shoulder to elbow, and is
never prependicular to the ground. The muscles and ligaments holding the shoulder
to the rib cage are firm and well developed. Faults: Straight shoulders; loose
shoulders.
Body:
Feet:
Oval in shape but not long. The paws are medium in size, compact and well furred
between the toes and pads. The pads are tough and thickly cuishoned. The paws
neither turn in nor out when the dog is in natural stance. Faults: Soft or splayed
toes; paws too large and clumsy; paws too small and delicate; toeing in or out.
Tail:
The well furred tail of fox-brush is set on just below the level of the topline,
and is usually carried over the back in a graceful sickle curve when the dog
is in attention. Whencarried up, the tail does not curl to either side of the
body, nor does it snap flat against the back. A trailing tail is normal for
the dog when in repose. Hair on the tail is of 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; highly plumed tail; tail set too low
or too high.
Gait/Movement:
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, exhibiting good reach in the forequarters
and good drive in the hindquarters. When viewed from the front or rear while
moving at a walk the Siberian Husky does not single track, but as the speed
increases the legs gradually angle inwards until the pads are falling on a line
directly under the longitudinal center of the body. As the pad marks converge,
the forelegs and hind legs are carried straight forward, with neither elbows
nor stifles turned in or out. Each hind leg moves in the path of the foreleg
on the same side. While the dog is gaiting, the topline remains firm and level.Faults:
Short, prancing or choppy gait: crossing or crabbing.
Coat:
The coat of the Siberian Husky is double and medium in length, giving a well-furred
appearance, but is never so long as to obscure the clean-cut outline 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 somwhat smooth
lying, never harsh nor standing straight off from the body. It should be noted
that the absence of the undercoat during the sheding saeson 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 penalised. Faults: Long, rough or
shaggy coat; texture too harsh or too silky; trimming of the coat, except as
permitted above.
Colour:
All colours 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.
Size:
Size, proportion, substance
Height:
Dogs 53.5-60 cm (21-23.5 INS) at the withers; bitches 51-56 cm (20-22 INS) at
the withers.
Weight:
Dogs 20-27kg (45-60 lbs.); bitches 16-23 kg (35-50 lbs.).
Weight
is in proportion to height. The measurements mentioned above represent the extreme
height and weight limits with no preference given to either extreme. 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 60 cm ( 23 1/2 INS) or bitches over 56 cm (22ins).
Faults:
In
addition to the faults already noted, the obvious structural faults common to
all breeds are as undesirable in the Siberian Husky as in other breeds, even
though they are not specifically mentioned herein.