SPS1/SHPN1 As of 02/22/2023, two new dna tests are available for Shaking Puppy Syndrome (SPS1) and Siberian Husky Polyneuropathy (SHPN1) at the University of Minnesota thanks to the hard work of multiple working Siberian breeders and owners submitting samples and the researchers dedication. I personally had submitted several dogs years ago for SPS1 as my dogs have had relatives who are carriers and have produced it, so it is great to see after 5 years we finally have the ability to know vs taking our best guess on who carriers are. This is really incredible news! I encourage everyone to take advantage to confirm your lines are clear. To find out more information on the conditions or to order tests for your own dogs, visit the link below:
DM Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) has been recently confirmed for our breed as well via OFA. There are multiple labs that offer DM testing, such as Embark, UC Davis, Wisdom Panel, and Pawprint Genetics. Any test for the SOD1A mutation will work. The SOD1B mutation for DM is only for Bernese Mountain Dogs so that is the one to avoid. The companies I mentioned prior use the SOD1A mutation needed for Siberians. For more information on DM, visit the link below:
https://ofa.org/degenerative-myelopathy/
About The Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a graceful, medium sized dog. The breed was developed for their great endurance to work in packs, bred to pull light loads at moderate speeds over long distances. The most famous example of the ability of these sled dogs would be the Serum run of 1925. During that relay, Togo, arguably the most important founding dog of the breed, ran the longest and most dangerous section of the route and showed the incredible qualities of a hardy sled dog and intelligent lead dog. Siberians are mischievous and energetic dogs, so they are major escape artists when bored due to the fact that they were bred to run hundreds of miles, and can also be very destructive when left unsupervised. They are very independent due to the intelligence that was needed in harness, and are also very vocal dogs who love to bark and howl. Siberians have a thick double coat and do shed a lot. They love the cold and snow as their coat keeps them warm. They should always have a proper double coat though, an improper coat like a long haired wooly coat is a fault and not to be bred intentionally. A wooly coat does not properly repel moisture and mats very quickly, so it causes issues in harness like over heating and extreme snow balling. Per the SHCA standard, Siberian Husky females should be 20-22 inches tall and should weigh 35-50 pounds, while Siberian Husky males should be 21-23.5 inches tall and should weigh 45-60 pounds. These are not meant to be large dogs, as larger Siberians are often slower and less efficient in harness. All coat colors are accepted in the breed, brindle and merle patterns are not accepted though and do not occur naturally within the breed. The breed produces both blue and brown eyed dogs. A dog can also have two different colored eyes or two different colors in one or both eyes (heterochromia).