Group 5 · Spitz & primitive types
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a friendly, energetic sled dog with striking eyes, bred to run long distances in a team. It is sociable and rarely a watchdog, but needs a huge amount of exercise and has a strong urge to escape and hunt.
Health
These examinations come from the official breeding programme for the breed Siberian Husky by Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen (Animal Welfare Flanders). They apply to the puppies’ parents.
In short
The breeding programme sets no mandatory examinations for this breed.
The breeding programme also recommends 5 further examinations.
A sample for DNA tests can be taken either with a mouth swab or by a blood sample. To carry out the examinations, the breeder uses a vet or a laboratory. For each examination below, you can see from what age and how often it must be done. Ask the breeder for the results of both parent dogs.
Recommended examinations (5)
-
Collie eye anomaly (CEA)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- NHEJ1: c.588+462_588+8260del
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Degenerative myelopathy (DM)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- SOD1: c.118G>A
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Hip dysplasia
X-ray once at least 1 year (laxity views: at least 6 months)
Official description
- Method
- X-ray: VD view and laxity view (Vezzoni or PennHIP)
-
Multidrug sensitivity (MDR1)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- ABCB1: c.228_231del
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
-
Progressive retinal atrophy – progressive rod-cone degeneration (Prcd-PRA)
DNA test once from birth
Official description
- Method
- DNA test
- Gene variant (for the laboratory)
- PRCD: c.5G>A
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
The breeding programme also contains the breeding advice for each examination and general rules on inbreeding, the number of matings per stud dog and the use of frozen semen. You can find these in the official document.
Source: breeding programme Siberian Husky, Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen, last updated on 14/04/2025.
View the official breeding programme (PDF, in Dutch)
A breeding programme reduces the risk of hereditary conditions, but does not offer a 100% health guarantee.
Translation of the Dutch breeding programme by Puppymakelaar. In case of any difference, the official document prevails.
This breed profile is not a breed sheet within the meaning of the Flemish Breeding Decree (Fokkerijbesluit). The legal rules for breeding this breed are set out in the official breeding programme.
Considerations when buying
According to the breeding programme approved by Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen, no mandatory tests need to be carried out. The breeding programme does list these recommended examinations: Collie eye anomaly (CEA), Degenerative myelopathy (DM), Hip dysplasia, Multidrug sensitivity (MDR1) and Progressive retinal atrophy – progressive rod-cone degeneration (Prcd-PRA). A puppy with a Flemish pedigree comes from parent dogs bred according to this breeding programme. Ask for the results of both parent dogs and compare them with the overview above. A Siberian Husky needs plenty of exercise, such as long walks, cycling or sled-dog sports. In warm weather, plan hard exercise for the cooler parts of the day. Its double coat sheds very heavily twice a year; brush it daily then.
Questions for the breeder
- Which recommended examinations in the breeding programme have both parent dogs undergone, and may I see the results?
- What are the results of both parent dogs for Hip dysplasia?
- Will the puppy receive a Flemish pedigree from a recognised breed registry association?
- How are the puppies socialised before they go to their new home?
Breed-specific challenges
A Husky is friendly to people and rarely a watchdog. It is independent, good at escaping and often has a strong prey drive, so letting it off the lead is rarely safe. It howls rather than barks and gets bored quickly if it has too little to do. There are no mandatory examinations for this breed, but the breeding programme does list recommended examinations: ask which ones the parent dogs have had.
More background
General guides that help you understand this breed information and choose well.
