What are similarities between wolves and Siberian huskies in general?

Answer 1

I'll take a shot at the question. I suppose that all of the listed animals have some relation to a canine.

Answer 2

Aside from the fact that ALL dogs are descended from wolves, what similarities do Siberian Huskies share with wolves that other dogs do not? From a pure genetic perspective, scientists and biologists would say that a shitzu is as close to a wolf as a husky. The fact is that genetically, wolves and dogs (regardless of breed) are in general, almost identical genetically which is why you can breed a wolf with just about any type of dog. But the fact that they are almost identical doesn't mean that a Siberian husky isn't a shade closer to the wolf than most, if not all other breeds of dogs.

Although wolves are larger than huskies, have a larger head, longer jaw with more teeth as well as a brain which is about 20% larger and are a bit lankier and most importantly are wild animals which siberians are not, they do share a number of charactaristics with northern breeds and especially with the Siberian husky they do not share with other breeds of dogs. In appearance and function, the Siberian husky has; the same double coat as a wolf consisting of an inner and outer coat which protects them in the winter from harsh sub zero temperatures, eyes which are identical to wolves in that they are almond shaped and swept back in the skull and also secret a protective oil during winter months which helps protect their eyes and vision from sub zero weather, especially when they are running through the snow, ears which are identical to wolves which have inner guard hairs that protect them from freezing, stamina which is superior to any other northern breed and rivals the incredible stamina of the wolf.

Siberians also share some behavioral traits with wolves as well. Siberian huskies are highly intelligent dogs, have a strong prey drive similar to wolves such that they cannot always be trusted with cats and other small dogs. In my opinion, one of the biggest similarities is that siberians are probably more pack oriented than any other breed of dog. Another trait which siberians share with wolves more than any other breed is their ability to escape confinement.

So why do Siberian huskies share these similarities with wolves? It has been theorized that it is purely environmental; i.e. the Chuchki tribesmen bred a spitz dog which would be well suited to survive the harsh environment of Siberia. This theory is further argued based on the fact that the Siberian husky has been confirmed as one of the oldest breed of dogs and so is less related to the wolf than say a malamute.

I believe the opposite to be true; i.e. the isolation of the Siberian husky for thousands of years as a breed is exactly why they are closer to wolves in appearance and behavior. In other words, they have been "less bred" with other dog breeds. Yes, environment played a role but in my opinion a lesser role than what is usually expounded as the primary reason. No one knows for sure exactly how the Siberian husky came to be. Did the Chuchki purposefully breed a spitz dog with a wolf to get the best attributes of both? Or was it an accident? Did a male wolf mate with a tied up female spitz, much to what was the eventual delight of the Chuchki people? Whatever the case, as any Siberian owner will tell you, Siberian huskies have an unexplainiable mystique about them that reminds us more than any other breed of dog, that dogs and wolves share a common ancestor.