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Huskies Facts & Worksheets

Huskies are known for their wolf-like appearance and trademark blue eyes. This breed is a working dog commonly used for pulling sleds through the snow.

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Huskies are known for their wolf-like appearance and trademark blue eyes. This breed is a working dog commonly used for pulling sleds through the snow.

See the fact file below for more information on the huskies or alternatively, you can download our 23-page Huskies worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

The Magnificent Husky

  • The husky is described as intelligent and friendly, stubborn and independent, and a dog that requires firmness, training, and cuddles!
  • Husky is a general term for a dog used in the polar regions, specifically as a working breed, mainly for pulling sleds.
  • Huskies are recognized for their hardiness and their cold-weather tolerance.
  • Huskies come in a variety of shades of black, silver, white and gray.
  • There are five main species (detailed further down the page). 
  • Husky gestation lasts about nine weeks, the average litter is 4 – 6 puppies, and their life span is 12 – 15 years.

ORIGIN

  • Originally the Arctic people were referred to as Eskimos. The dogs used by Arctic people were, therefore, the dogs of the Huskies, the Huskie’s dogs.
  • Eventually, the dogs simply became husky dogs. 
  • The word ‘husky’ is recorded from 1852 for dogs kept by Inuit people, a group of indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska.
  • They were used to pull sleds in Siberia, Russia.
  • During the gold rush in Alaska, huskies were used to transport goods and as miners’ entertainment for dog races. 
  • During an outbreak of the serious disease diphtheria, huskies were used to deliver medicine and other supplies around Noom, western Alaska. 
  • Huskies were also working dogs in WWII, used for search and rescue.

APPEARANCE

  • Huskies are medium-sized dogs. 
  • Mature males are around 23.5 in (60 cm) in height and weigh about 55 lb (25 kg).
  • Mature females are around 21 in (55 cm) in height and weigh about 50 lb (23 kg).
  • Huskies have a thick double coat that can withstand harsh icy weather. Their undercoat is short and warm, while the overcoat is long and water-resistant.
  • Their almond-shaped eyes are typically pale blue, although they can also be brown, green, yellow, or heterochromia (two colors).
  • The color of husky eyes is controlled by a rare gene that few dog breeds are believed to have.
  • A husky’s nose is wet due to a thin layer of mucous that absorbs scents. The mucous is then licked to further process the scent with their mouth.
  • The tail of a husky is thick and bushy. When they sleep, they wrap their tails around their faces as their breath warms the tail, protecting the nose and face from the cold.

Breeds

Alaskan husky

  • The Alaskan husky is a mongrel, bred specifically for its performance as a sled dog and commonly used in dog sled racing. It bears little resemblance to the husky breed it originated from, often has sleek fur, and weighs 40 – 75 lb (18 – 34 kg). 

Labrador Husky

  • The Labrador Husky probably arrived in Canada with the Inuit, who came to Canada around 1300 CE. Labrador huskies are not related to the Labrador retriever and are most closely related to the Canadian Eskimo dog. The Labrador Husky is a rare breed, with only about 50–60 in the world.

MacKenzie River Husky

  • The MacKenzie River Husky was originally bred for use by fur traders in the late nineteen hundreds. They are big, powerful, freighting dogs, capable of surviving harsh arctic conditions. They have soft, odorless fur and weigh 70 – 125 lb (32 – 57 kg).  

Siberian Husky

  • The Siberian Husky was bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia for its pulling strength. It is a medium-sized, attractive breed with distinctive markings, thickly furred double coats, and erect triangular ears. Today they are used as show-dogs, sled dogs, and tour-guide mushers.

Sakhalin Husky

  • The Sakhalin Husky, bred primarily as a sled dog, was also used for hunting bears. The breed is now critically endangered. As of 2015, there were only seven of these dogs left on their native island of Sakhalin, a Russian island in the Pacific Ocean, north of Japan.

Health and Lifestyle 

  • Huskies are generally hardy and healthy.
  • However, it is important to find a good breeder who can produce health clearances for both the puppy’s parents and the puppy, as huskies are susceptible to several genetic traits.
  • These include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and eye problems. About 10% suffer from cataracts.
  • As working dogs, huskies are energetic and athletic.
  • They are bred to work hard and have very high stamina. 
  • They require plenty of exercise and playtime to keep them content. Huskies tend to be destructive when they don’t get enough physical and mental stimulation.
  • Huskies, however, are not great watchdogs. They are unsuspicious by nature and friendly towards strangers. 
  • Huskies are not one-person dogs making them great pets for households with children. They are generally very tolerant of children but, like all dogs, need to be trained and supervised.
  • Huskies are very vocal dogs, preferring to howl rather than bark.

DIET

  • Huskies were bred to survive with very little food. 
  • In the wild, they don’t overeat and will only eat until they are full. 
  • Their diet varies. They will hunt for fish, hares, and other arctic animals. They also seek out fruit and vegetables for other nutrients.
  • The domesticated husky’s diet can consist of raw food, commercial dry and wet dog food, plus vegetables and fruit. 
  • They also eat plant-based proteins such as legumes and grains.

Huskies Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about huskies across 23 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Huskies worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Huskies, which are known for their wolf-like appearance and trademark blue eyes. This breed is a working dog commonly used for pulling sleds through the snow.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Huskies Facts
  • All About Huskies
  • Witty Husky
  • Safe with Care
  • Chore Charts
  • Husky Discovery
  • Letter Jumble
  • Crossword Puzzle
  • Heroes of the North
  • Dog Maze
  • Four Fun Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

Are huskies good pets?

The husky is both loyal and pack-oriented, so he loves being a member of a family. They have a good temperaments and are not known for being aggressive. Huskies are energetic and need both play time and regular exercise.

Do Huskies like cuddling?

Huskies are a happy and social breed of dog and enjoy human interaction. So, yes, they enjoy being petted and having cuddle time.

Do Huskies shed much?

Huskies have dense coats, so yes, huskies do shed. However, unlike some breeds that shed year-round, huskies only shed once or twice a year during seasonal changes. Their shedding is referred to as “blowing their undercoat”. 

What is special about Huskies?

Siberian Huskies are probably best-known for their beautiful eyes and coats and incredible pulling abilities. They were originally bred to help the Chukchi people of Siberia hunt more efficiently. They are excellent working dogs but are also described as friendly, sweet, cuddle bugs. 

Is a Husky a wolf?

It is thought that all dogs have wolf ancestry, but Huskies, like other dogs, are not related to wolves. Unlike wolves, huskies also have a much nicer temperate and enjoy interaction with humans.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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