Heavily boned, powerfully built, not too compact and never appearing short on the leg.

Sled dog capable of surviving in Arctic temperatures and of pulling heavy loads at steady speeds.

Affectionate, friendly, loyal, devoted companion but not a ‘one man’ dog, playful on invitation, generally impressive by his dignity after maturity but tends to show aggression to other dogs.

Medium size, moderate bone.

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. 

Keen, friendly and gentle, interested and even mischievous. 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. Agreeable companion and willing worker.

Head broad, powerful, not coarse, in proportion to size of dog. Skull broad between ears, gradually narrowing to eyes, moderately rounded between ears, flattening on top as it approaches eye, rounding off to moderately flat cheeks. Very slight but perceptible stop. Muzzle large in proportion to size of skull, scarcely diminishing in width or depth from stop. Nose black except red and white dogs when it is brown. Pink streaked ‘snow nose’ acceptable.

Skull of medium size and in proportion to the body; slightly rounded on top and tapering from the widest point to the eyes.

Brown, almond-shaped, moderately large, set obliquely. Dark eyes preferred, except in red and white dogs where light eyes are permissible. Blue eyes highly undesirable. 

Almond shaped, moderately spaced and set a trifle obliquely. Eyes may be brown or blue in colour; one of each or particoloured are acceptable. 

Neck is strong and moderately arched. 

Of medium size, triangular in shape, close fitting and set high on the head. They are thick, well furred, slightly arched at the back, and strongly erect, with slightly rounded tips pointing straight up.

Nose black in gray, tan or black dogs; liver in copper dogs; may be flesh- coloured in pure white dogs. The pink-streaked ‘snow nose’ is acceptable. Lips are well pigmented and close fitting. Teeth closing in a scissors bite.

Neck is medium in length, arched and carried proudly.

Hind legs broad and powerfully muscled through thighs; stifles moderately bent, hock joints broad and strong, moderately bent and well let down. Viewed from behind, hind legs vertical, standing and moving true, in line with movement of front legs. Legs indicate tremendous propelling power. Dewclaws on hind legs undesirable.

The shoulder blade is well laid back. The upper arm angles slightly backward from point of shoulder to elbow and is never perpendicular to the ground.  Bone is substantial but never heavy. 

Body deep and strong chest but not too broad, with the deepest point being just behind and level with the elbows.  The back is straight and strong, with a level topline from withers to croup. It is of medium length, neither cobby nor slack from excessive length. The loin is taut and lean, narrower than the rib cage, and with a slight tuck-up. 

When standing and viewed from 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. Dewclaws, if any, are to be removed.

FEET, TAIL & GAIT/MOVEMENT

Single tracking at trot is normal but movement not too wide or too close at any gait. Easy, tireless, rhythmic movement, produced by powerful drive from hindquarters. 

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 cushioned. The paws neither turn in nor out when the dog is in natural stance.

The well furred tail of fox-brush shape, is set on just below the level of the top-line, 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, nor does it snap flat against the back. 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.

The Siberian Husky’s characteristic gait is smooth and seemingly effortless. He is quick and light on his feet, exhibiting good reach in the forequarters and good drive in the hindquarters. 

Range is from light grey through intermediate shadings to black, or from gold through shades of red to liver, always with white on underbody, parts of legs, feet and part of mask markings. Markings either cap-like or mask-like on face. Combination of cap and mask not unusual. White blaze on forehead, white collar, or spot on nape permissible. Heavy mantling of unbroken colour acceptable. Only solid colour permissible is all white. 

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.

Broken colour extending over body in spots or uneven splashings undesirable.