Ever since I was a little girl in pigtails, (which I still wear from time to time) I have always wanted a husky puppy all my own. Such a desire first came into existence thanks to my watching the Disney movie Balto, which truly set me on the path of being in utterly head over heels in love with these majestic creatures.

Huskies have so many amazing qualities, and yet sadly, most people only manage to see their flaws.

It is common knowledge that without proper training, huskies are hyper and unruly, tending to chase and kill small creatures due to their predator nature. Such shortcomings often give the wrong impression for these dogs that were meant to run their hearts out everyday in the snowy wilderness without reserve. Because on this, I want to share the top 5 reasons why I believe Huskies are an amazing breed.

1. The Mask

One of the most interesting things about Huskies is that no two dogs will ever look exactly alike. Thanks to their unique face mask patterns, siblings of the same litter- while perhaps possessing identical coat color- can be easily distinguished depending on individual markings.

There are six different mask variations: capped or heart shaped, cloverleaf, open-face, spectacles, bar or stripe, and dirty face (1). No matter which design a husky gets to wear, you can guarantee it will be a showstopper!

2. Athletic Superstars

More often than not, the first thing anyone thinks of when they hear the word 'husky' is sled racing. The history of Huskies originates from the Inuit people, who bred the dogs specifically for helping their people survive out in the harsh winter environment through the means of transportation and providing warmth. Huskies are dependable workers, built to last in extreme conditions on very little food or ideal weather conditions(1). They can run for long periods of time without any problem, and absolutely love it! For a person who enjoys a very athletic lifestyle, the Husky is an excellent companion for those early morning runs or bike rides.

3. Gentle Souls

So, you hear a burglar break into your house. The first thing you may do is think to yourself, "Thank goodness I have a big dog to help scare them off"! Well, if that big dog is a husky, you'd better think again. Huskies are not known to be an aggressive breed, and generally, are kind and welcoming to anyone and everyone. Most likely they would happily invite the burglar inside and lead him right to your finest china in exchange for a belly rub!

Despite this fact, the gentleness of the husky breed makes them a wonderful pet to have around children. They are gentle and when trained to keep their nibbling under control, anyone can rest easy having a big fluffy body around their kids.

4. Intelligent

A popular myth told about huskies is that they are impossible to train due to their stubborn nature. While, yes, it is true that huskies are a stubborn breed, they ABSOLUTELY can be trained! Huskies are incredibly intelligent and all that is required to get them to show off their skills, is patience, consistency, and love.

Escaping from all kinds of situations is a special skill of this breed. They can open doors, jump fences, and figure out a gate latch. This isn't something to look down on though. Such energy can be guided to help the dog focus more on mastering that new trick you are trying to teach them, instead of attempting to escape!

5. Heartthrob Eyes

Probably the most distinctive trait of a husky, loved by all who can see, is their eyes. A snowy blue, deep brown, warm amber and sometimes a blend of two are the most popular eye colors that can be found in this breed. The blue is sought after due to the fact that it is an extremely rare color to see in dogs! Huskies can even have an eye color combination that is called a 'parti eye', meaning that spots of a different color appear on a specific background color; such as a brown spot on a blue eye (1).

The eyes are frequently said to be the windows of the soul. I would have to say that Huskies have some of the most beautiful and honest eyes I have ever seen, showing each emotion as they feel it. Such open, honest eyes are just one of the many amazing things that makes this breed a true gift to the world.

(1) Thomas, Pam and Bob. Barron's Dog Bibles: Siberian Huskies. Hauppauge: Barron'S, 2011. Print.