OUR BREEDING PHILOSOPHY
Preserving the Future of the Siberian Husky
"The future of the Siberian Husky is written one generation at a time."
The future of the Siberian Husky is shaped by the breeding decisions made today. Every planned mating carries the responsibility of preserving genetic diversity, protecting health and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the breed for generations to come.
Genetic Diversity
Genetic diversity is one of the most valuable resources within any breed, yet it is also one of the easiest to lose. Every generation inherits only a portion of the genetic variation that existed before it. As closely related dogs continue to be bred over successive generations, the available gene pool gradually becomes smaller, increasing the chance that harmful recessive genes are inherited and reducing the breed's overall genetic resilience.
Throughout the history of the Siberian Husky, and many other purebred breeds, selective breeding has created the dogs we know and love today. However, as bloodlines become increasingly interconnected, maintaining genetic diversity becomes an increasingly important responsibility. While responsible line breeding has historically been used to preserve desirable traits, repeated use of closely related dogs and popular bloodlines can, over time, reduce the amount of genetic variation available within the breed.
Protecting genetic diversity is therefore about far more than reducing the risk of inherited disease. It is about preserving fertility, reproductive success, immune function, longevity and the breed's ability to remain healthy and sustainable for future generations. Once genetic diversity is lost from a population, it cannot easily be restored, making every breeding decision an opportunity to either protect or further reduce this finite genetic resource.
COI Management
The Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI) is one of the most valuable tools available to modern breeders, providing insight into the genetic relationship between a potential sire and dam. While pedigree-based COI calculations remain an important part of responsible breeding, they represent an estimate based solely on ancestry. At Lobo De Nieve, every planned mating begins with extensive pedigree research, carefully analysing generations of bloodlines to understand how dogs are related, identify influential ancestors and assess the overall genetic diversity of a proposed pairing. This allows breeding decisions to be made with a broader understanding of the breed's genetic history rather than relying solely on appearance or individual traits.
In New Zealand, the Siberian Husky gene pool is relatively small, with many dogs tracing back to the same foundation bloodlines. As a result, preserving genetic diversity requires careful long-term planning and, where appropriate, the incorporation of thoughtfully selected imported genetics to broaden the available gene pool while maintaining the breed's health, temperament, structure and working heritage.
Alongside pedigree analysis, Embark's Genomic COI Predictor forms an integral part of our breeding programme and is used extensively when evaluating future pairings. Unlike pedigree-based calculations, which estimate relatedness from ancestry alone, genomic COI analyses the DNA actually inherited by each individual dog. Because genetic inheritance is random, littermates do not inherit identical portions of their parents' genomes, meaning their true genomic COI can vary despite sharing the same pedigree. By combining genomic analysis with extensive pedigree research, breeding decisions are guided by a more complete understanding of genetic diversity, allowing each mating to be evaluated on the DNA the dogs actually carry rather than pedigree alone.
Genetic Resilience
A breed's long-term future depends not only on the quality of individual dogs, but on the strength of its overall genetic population. As genetic diversity gradually declines over successive generations, the ability of a population to remain healthy, fertile and resilient can also begin to diminish. This loss of genetic resilience is one of the greatest long-term challenges facing many purebred dog breeds.
The gradual reduction in population fitness is known as inbreeding depression. Rather than resulting from a single mating, it develops slowly over many generations as genetic variation becomes increasingly limited. Research has associated inbreeding depression with reduced reproductive success, smaller litter sizes, increased neonatal mortality, weakened immune function, shorter life expectancy and a greater expression of inherited genetic disorders.
Unlike many health conditions, genetic resilience cannot be restored overnight. Once valuable genetic diversity has been lost from a population, rebuilding it becomes increasingly difficult. This makes every breeding decision part of something much larger than producing the next litter. It contributes to the genetic opportunities available for generations to come.
Protecting genetic resilience requires breeders to think beyond immediate goals and consider the long-term future of the breed. Every responsible breeding decision should aim not only to preserve the Siberian Husky as it exists today, but to ensure future generations inherit a population that remains healthy, diverse and genetically sustainable.
Health Testing
Health testing is one of the most important responsibilities of any ethical breeding programme. While a dog may appear healthy throughout its life and never show any outward signs of disease, it can still carry genetic mutations capable of being passed to future generations. This is why visual health alone is never enough when making breeding decisions.
Many inherited diseases are autosomal recessive, meaning a dog can carry a genetic mutation without ever developing the condition itself. Genetic testing classifies dogs as Clear, Carrier, or Affected. A Clear dog carries no copies of the mutation and cannot pass it on. A Carrier has one normal copy and one mutated copy of the gene, remaining clinically healthy while having the potential to pass the mutation to its offspring. An Affected dog has inherited two copies of the mutation and is at risk of developing, or will develop, the associated disease depending on the condition.
Understanding these results allows breeders to make informed breeding decisions that reduce the risk of producing affected puppies while preserving valuable genetic diversity. Simply excluding every carrier from breeding can unnecessarily remove important bloodlines from an already limited gene pool. Instead, responsible breeders use genetic testing to plan safe matings, ensuring that carrier dogs are only bred to dogs that test clear, preventing affected puppies from being produced while allowing valuable genetics to remain within the breed.
This approach is particularly important in the Siberian Husky, where inherited conditions such as, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), GM1 Gangliosidosis (GM1), X-Linked Progressive Retinal Atrophy (XL-PRA) and Day Blindness (Cone Degeneration), and other genetic conditions have been identified within the breed. Genetic screening, combined with comprehensive eye examinations, hip and elbow evaluations and cardiac testing, provides breeders with the information needed to make responsible, evidence-based breeding decisions.
The Siberian Husky is one of the world's oldest working dog breeds, originally developed by the Chukchi people of north-eastern Siberia to pull light loads over vast distances with remarkable endurance, efficiency and resilience. Every aspect of the breed's structure, movement, temperament and athletic ability reflects this original purpose. Preserving these characteristics remains fundamental to responsible breeding.
Breed preservation extends far beyond producing beautiful dogs. It is about protecting the qualities that define the Siberian Husky, including correct structure, balanced temperament, sound movement, physical endurance and the ability to perform the work for which the breed was originally developed. While the vast majority of today's Huskies live as much-loved companions, preserving these functional traits helps ensure the breed remains true to its heritage rather than gradually changing to meet modern trends or fashion.
One of the most common enquiries we receive is for pure white, blue-eyed Siberian Huskies. While these dogs are undeniably striking, coat colour and eye colour have never been priorities within our breeding programme. They are simply naturally inherited traits and should never outweigh health, temperament, genetic diversity or structural soundness when selecting breeding dogs. The pure white dogs we have produced have been the result of carefully planned pairings and inherited genetics, never because colour was the objective.
Breed Preservation
Science & Research
One of the things I enjoy most about breeding is that there is always something new to learn. Canine genetics is constantly evolving, and with every new study, health test and scientific advancement, we gain a better understanding of how to protect the long-term future of our breed. I believe responsible breeding means remaining open to new knowledge and being willing to adapt as science continues to improve.
I regularly invest time into reading scientific literature, following the latest research and learning from respected geneticists, veterinarians and preservation breeders around the world. Whether it's advances in population genetics, inherited disease or new genomic technologies, I believe every piece of knowledge has the potential to improve future breeding decisions.
While experience will always have its place, I don't believe tradition alone is enough. Every litter is planned using a combination of scientific evidence, comprehensive health testing, pedigree analysis and practical experience. My goal is to make informed decisions based on the best information available today, while continuing to learn for tomorrow.
Breeding is a lifelong journey of education. The more we understand about genetics and the breeds we love, the better equipped we are to preserve healthy, resilient Siberian Huskies for future generations.
For me, breeding doesn't end when a puppy leaves for its new home. It is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to every dog I bring into the world and every family who places their trust in me.
I genuinely care about where my puppies go and the lives they go on to live. Whether you have a question a week after bringing your puppy home or many years later, I will always do my best to offer guidance, support and advice. Watching my puppies grow and maintaining relationships with their families is one of the most rewarding parts of breeding.
If circumstances ever change and one of my dogs can no longer remain with its family, I will always be there to help. Whether that means welcoming the dog back into my home or carefully finding the right forever home, I will never allow a dog I have bred to be left without support. Every puppy I breed will always have a safety net, no matter where life leads.
My responsibility doesn't end on collection day. It is a lifelong commitment to the dogs I breed, the families who welcome them into their homes, and to continually improving as a preservation breeder. Every dog carries a small part of my breeding programme, and that responsibility is something I will always take seriously.
Lifelong Commitment
Final Thoughts
Thank you for taking the time to read my breeding philosophy. If you've made it this far, I genuinely appreciate your interest in understanding not only how I breed, but why I make the decisions that I do.
I'm not a veterinarian, geneticist or scientist, nor do I claim to have all the answers. I'm simply someone who is deeply passionate about the Siberian Husky and committed to continually learning. The more I study canine genetics, health and breed preservation, the more I realise there is always something new to discover. My goal has never been to breed the most popular colour or the puppy that is easiest to sell. Instead, my focus has always been on making thoughtful, evidence-based decisions that contribute positively to the future of this incredible breed.
Every section throughout this page is connected. Genetic diversity protects the future of the breed. COI management helps preserve valuable genetics while reducing unnecessary inbreeding. Genetic resilience reminds us why maintaining a broad gene pool matters. Health testing allows informed breeding decisions that reduce preventable inherited disease. Breed preservation ensures we continue to value the Siberian Husky for its health, structure, temperament and original working purpose rather than appearance alone. Finally, lifelong commitment means accepting responsibility for every dog I breed, long after they leave for their new homes.
I also hope this page encourages prospective puppy owners to think carefully about where they purchase their next dog. Backyard breeding and poorly planned litters continue to place unnecessary pressure on animal welfare organisations while undermining the efforts of preservation breeders who dedicate countless hours to protecting the future of their breed. Breeding should never be viewed as an easy way to make money. It carries a lifelong responsibility to every puppy produced, and that responsibility begins long before a litter is ever born. As someone deeply passionate about the Siberian Husky, I strongly believe breeding should be carried out by dedicated, ethical breeders who invest in health testing, genetic research, careful planning and lifelong support for every puppy they produce. Personally, I believe New Zealand would benefit from stronger breeding regulations and greater accountability, similar to countries that place a greater emphasis on breeder licensing, welfare standards and responsible breeding practices. If there is one message I hope you take away from this page, it is this: please choose your breeder as carefully as you choose your puppy. A well-bred dog is the result of years of education, research, health testing, thoughtful planning and an unwavering commitment to the breed.
Thank you once again for taking the time to explore this page. As you can probably tell, I have invested an enormous amount of time into researching, writing and designing this website myself. My hope is that it not only reflects my dedication to the Siberian Husky, but also helps educate others about the importance of responsible breeding, preservation and lifelong commitment. If this website encourages even one person to look beyond coat colour or appearance and instead value health, genetics, temperament and ethical breeding practices, then every hour spent creating it has been worthwhile.
Research Links
These are some of the organisations, research institutions and educational resources that have helped shape my understanding of canine genetics, responsible breeding and breed preservation.
Genetics & Population Diversity
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Embark Veterinary — https://embarkvet.com
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Institute of Canine Biology — https://instituteofcaninebiology.org
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UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory — https://vgl.ucdavis.edu
Health Testing
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Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — https://ofa.org
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American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) — https://www.acvo.org
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International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) — https://dogwellnet.com
Scientific Journals
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Canine Medicine and Genetics — https://caninemedicineandgenetics.biomedcentral.com
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Frontiers in Veterinary Science — https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science
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Journal of Heredity — https://academic.oup.com/jhered
Responsible Breeding & Puppy Buying
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The Kennel Club (UK) – Choosing a Puppy — https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk
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RSPCA – Finding a Responsible Breeder — https://www.rspca.org.uk
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Dogs Trust – Buying a Puppy — https://www.dogstrust.org.uk
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International Partnership for Dogs – Responsible Breeding Resources — https://dogwellnet.com