| There isn't any dog breed that is completely free from | | | | breeds despite the high occurrence of hip dysplasia in |
| inheritable genetic defects, but the Siberian Husky has | | | | dogs. The condition affects about one hundred |
| the fewest health problems of all breeds. The Husky | | | | fourteen dog breeds and the Siberian Husky is ranked |
| enjoys generally good health and temperament, but | | | | one hundred eleventh for risk. This condition can easily |
| there are still health problems that you should look out | | | | be avoided in the breed by buying from breeders who |
| for. | | | | can provide proof that both parents have passed the |
| The good news is that the Siberian Husky Club of | | | | Orthopedic Foundation for Animals standards for |
| America or SHCA has kept an eye on potential | | | | breeding. |
| genetic problems and taken positive action for the | | | | There are many eye defects that affect dogs, but |
| general health and well being of the breed. Since 1965 | | | | only three of them are considered a concern in the |
| this organization has been tasked with being aware of | | | | few Siberian Husky health problems today. Hereditary |
| genetic problems and alert breeders before the | | | | or juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy and |
| defects can spread. Because of the SHCA the two | | | | progressive retinal atrophy are the three eye |
| greatest areas of concern that have been found for | | | | conditions of the Siberian Husky that you should be |
| the Siberian Husky is canine hip dysplasia and | | | | aware of. Any eye color can have an eye condition |
| inheritable eye disease. However, with proper care and | | | | and each disorder affects a different portion of the |
| monitoring you can attempt to avoid these conditions in | | | | eye. Even though eye problems don't occur often in |
| your dog and help them to live a long, healthy life. | | | | the Siberian Husky they are serious and should never |
| Hip dysplasia is a condition where the head of the | | | | be overlooked or underestimated. The Siberian Husky |
| thighbone or hip joint doesn't fit into the joint socket | | | | can develop hereditary or juvenile cataracts as early |
| properly. When a puppy is born the condition isn't | | | | as three months of age. |
| typically present, most of the time it only develops | | | | If there is a mild case there will be a decrease in |
| within a dog's first two years of life. The affected hip | | | | eyesight, but severe cases can cause complete |
| will suffer from inflammation, pain and arthritis as the | | | | blindness. Corneal dystrophy is a condition that affects |
| condition progresses. Strenuous exercise such as | | | | the outer transparent portion of the eyeball. This |
| sitting up, lying down or climbing stairs can make the | | | | condition is more common in females and is typically |
| condition worse. Males and females are equally | | | | found in young adult dogs. This condition has no current |
| affected by the condition and either a single hip or both | | | | treatment, but is seldom affects vision. A more serious |
| can be affected. It is an inherited health condition, which | | | | condition is progressive retinal atrophy, which can |
| means hip dysplasia is passed on from the parent | | | | cause a devastating loss of vision in dogs as early as |
| dogs. | | | | five months of age and is most common in males. |
| The Siberian Husky is one of the least affected dog | | | | |