SIBERIANS ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE

Siberians are not for everyone. They are a free spirit and you never actually own a Siberian. They were bred to think and not always obey a Musher's commands for safety reasons, so if you like a dog that always obeys "without question" well that's not a Siberian.

Escape Artists

High fencing and escape proof yards are a must as they "can" be escape artists, they can scale fences like a cat and crawl through microscopic holes. Going over or under a fence never to be seen again.

When outside the home, they MUST be kept on a lead as a free Siberian will just keep running and out of your sight in seconds.  Many a loose Siberian has ended up in a pound, lost or under the wheel or a car because their owner "thought" they would like to go for a free run. Siberians were bred as endurance workers and can run many miles in a short amount of time, only to end up lost.

digging

Siberians love to dig holes - huge holes - Their desire to dig comes from instinct developed centuries ago to exercise, make shelter and store food. While this desire can be curbed to an area more suitable to the Humans in the Family, it can not be eliminated.

GUARD DOGS

Guard dogs they are NOT any prowler is likely to get a great big lick hello. Siberians love the company of People as they were bred by the Chukchi, a tribe of Siberian nomads, as not only transportation but as part of the Family where the children of the tribe would cuddle up to the dogs and sleep at night. Because they are a people dog, they are not a dog to just leave alone in the back yard day after day with little or no attention, they will get bored and look for something to do - either escape or be destructive.

eye disease

There are hereditary Eye diseases in the Breed so all breeding stock must be checked annually by a qualified Ophthalmologist.

progressive retinal atrophy (pra)

This disease has been recorded in a total of 46 Breeds. From a pup through to 3 years of age the dog may begin to suffer "night blindness" which deteriorates into total blindness. Both eyes are always effected. There is no known treatment.

glaucoma

Glaucoma is thought to be an inherited disease. Pressure in the eye is increased by impaired flow of aqueouhumor. A cloudy eye which can be painful is usually noticed in a middle aged dog, but can occur at any age. Treatment is usually surgical.

corneal dystrophy

The disease appears as a grey/white opaque lesion situated in the central corneal region. The lesions can appear from 2 months of age up to 8 years. This disease appears in other Breeds but progression to visual impairment has only been recorded in the Siberian.

cataracts

The lens of the eye becomes clouded and is usually present in both eyes. The disease usually occurs in very young dogs and gets progressively worse until sight is lost completely often by 3 years of age.

hip dysplasia

Although Hip Dysplasia is not high in the Breed, it is there, and more and more dogs are showing up with this problem. All Breeding stock must be x-rayed and scored by a qualified Radiologist. The more undiagnosed stock that are used for breeding the bigger the problem will become.

reputable breeders

Always buy your Siberian from a Registered Breeder, be informed and ask questions.

Make sure your puppies Sire and Dam have current Eye and Hip Certificates - ask to sight them - never just except they have been done.

Make sure your puppy comes with either Main Registration Papers if you are going to show your puppy or Limited Registration Papers if you are purchasing a pet.

Your puppy should have had his / her  1st vaccination, been wormed, microchipped and had heartworm treatment (Tasmania excepted) and come with a full diet and care instruction sheet. After you take your puppy home you should have complete back up from your Breeder to help you with any questions or problems that may arise.

Your Breeder should be knowledgeable about the breed and the ancestors in the puppies pedigree. They should be happy for you to meet the parents of the puppy (the Sire of the puppy may not always be owned by the Breeder).

Beware of the "Puppy Farmer" who has no real interest in the Breed,  just what financial gain they "think" they can make from a litter of puppies. A serious reputable Breeder spends more money on the health, care and costly screening of any herideditary diseases in their breed, than they ever make back on a litter.

Being informed when you go to select your little bundle of joy from a Registered Breeder ensures a happy healthy Siberian.