The Husky is a dog from the Russian Far North.❄️ Its wild look, characteristic gait and howls are not unlike those of the wolf. Fast as an arrow and strong as a lion, they are the sled dog par excellence. Endowed with a remarkable endurance, once launched, it does not stop anymore! Kind, intelligent and sociable, it is also a wonderful companion.
However, one question persists! Is the Husky crossbreed with the wolf?🐺 Admit it, you've got a lot to be convinced about. Let's see it together!
HUSKY CHARACTERISTICS
- ♀ from 16 to 23kg and 50 to 56cm
- ♂️ from 20 to 28kg and 53 to 60cm
- Life expectancy: 12.7 years on average
- Fur color: Black, white, grey, red, chocolate, copper.
IS A HUSKY A WOLF HYBRID?
If he shares with him his gait, the way he curls up into a ball to sleep and, sometimes, his howls, the Siberian Husky is genetically no closer to the wolf than the poodle, according to the studies of Dr. Robert Wayne of Berkeley.
Sorry for the myth (even if crossbreeding between dogs and wolves does exist).
The Husky is a breed in its own right, domesticated by man for centuries, and one can only imagine that it has distant ancestors in common with the wolf... just like any other dog. However, the physical and behavioral resemblance between the two species is striking: it would be the result of the influence of their common environment (the phenotype).🐾
Anyway, the origins of the Husky remain rather uncertain, even if many agree to consider that it is the descendant of the sled dogs of the Chukchi (or Chuckies), people of Eastern Siberia. Remains the legend: for the Chuckies, the Husky was born from the love of a wolf for the moon. From his father, he would have kept the appearance, and from his mother, the crescent-shaped tail. This is probably why, on full moon nights, the Huskies join their howls with those of the wolves to sing the memory of the beloved star.
WHY DO HUSKY LOOK LIKE WOLF?
Its graceful shapes, characteristic gait and thick fur are not unlike those of the wolf. Like him, he has a dignified, reserved and independent side. It is also a pack dog, it lives very well with a pack of fellow dogs. Moreover, his bark is closer to howling. If you like this majestic animal, discover our husky baseball cap!
Huskies have a wolf ancestry which is the reason they have a similar appearance. Their similarities are believed to come from a dominant gene giving them very wolf-like characteristics such as fur, fangs, tail shape. However, current studies do not yet make it possible to determine the exact origin of this resemblance.
ARE HUSKIES WOLF DOGS?
By definition, huskies are not wolf dogs. However, if a husky is crossed with a wolf, the result is a wolf hybrid or wolfhound. Some of these crosses may look like huskies, but they are not completely domesticated animals. Unlike huskies, wolf hybrids are much wilder.
WHAT PERCENT WOLF IS A HUSKY?
The husky has its origins in the Chukchies Indians (Eskimo tribe of northern Siberia) who created the breed to hunt alongside them, pull their sleds and look after children. Its direct line goes back more than 2000 years. Its genes are 85% identical to those of the wolf.
There is, however, evidence to support nuances to the theory that domestic dogs have genes in common with the wolf. Recent studies conducted by Dr. Robert Wayne of Berkeley qualified this theory.
They compared this ancient DNA with the genomes of 77 domestic dogs, 49 wolves and four modern coyotes, and determined that today's dogs were genetically related to ancient wolves or dogs, but with none of the contemporary wolves.
Husky would thus be descendants of former wolves which are now extinct.
ARE HUSKIES PART OF THE WOLF FAMILY?
Huskies are part of the great canidae family, just like the wolf. However, they belong to the specific category of canis familiaris, while the wolf is listed among the canis lupus family.
Canidae:
Canidae is a family of carnivorous mammals with non-retractile claws. They are divided into 12 genera, 23 species and 4 subspecies for the genus Canis. They all have a pointed snout and long canines.
They are found on all the continents of the planet except Antarctica, in the most diverse environments from the far north to arid zones, and at various altitudes. They are highly adaptable.
Canids have a highly developed sense of hearing and smell, allowing them to hunt by day and night. They can even spot the scratching of prey a few dozen centimetres below ground. Some species hunt in groups, while others hunt alone, such as foxes.
Canis familiaris:
Canis lupus familiaris is the more common term for "dog". This family consists of carnivorous mammals, subspecies of the wolf (Canis lupus) of the canid family (Canidae).
Canis lupus:
The grey wolf, Canis lupus, is a carnivore belonging to the large family of Canidae in the same way as dogs, foxes, jackals, wild dogs ... The wolf is also called grey wolf, or Eurasian wolf, European wolf, Carpathian wolf, steppe wolf or Chinese wolf.
Over the course of evolution, the wolf has evolved into numerous subspecies depending on the regions occupied, such as the common European grey wolf (Canis lupus lupus), the only wolf species present in Europe, or the Arctic wolf (Canis lupus arctos). Between fifteen and forty subspecies of wolves could be described at present.
TO SUM UP
Huskies, just like dogs in general, are distant descendants of wolves species extinct in our time but make no mistake, the Husky is still a dog! The husky is a breed of dog in its own and is therefore not a wolf dog as one might think.
If you are a Husky lover, discover our beautiful Siberian Husky backpack to which will accompany you in all your adventures
