Medical

For centuries man has been supervising the breeding of dogs, and exercising his power to choose the characteristics he wished to preserve and eliminate. This process, known as selective breeding, resulted in the many individual breeds of dogs that are known today. Gradually, as breeders became aware of the concepts of genetics, they applied basic genetic principles to their breeding programs. By combining the art of selection with the knowledge of science, breeders were able to refine the breeds of their choice.

Much importance has been placed on pedigrees and much success has been derived from the breeding of closely related dogs that share desirable genetic traits. It was inevitable that, along with the desirable traits, there have come undesirable traits which may take several generations of breeding to manifest themselves. When these undesirable traits finally do surface, breeders must acknowledge that their seemingly normal dogs may transmit defective genes to their offspring and perpetuate the undesirable trait in the breed.

No breed of dog is totally free from inheritable genetic defects, but few breeds have had the good fortune of the Siberian Husky. Not only is the individual dog generally healthy and of good temperament, but throughout the years there has not been an abundance of genetic issues.