The word husky has two unrelated meanings:

1. Strong and sturdy, especially describing someone's build. A husky teenager might be solidly built, with broad shoulders and a strong frame. The word suggests someone who looks capable of hard physical work or sports. When clothing stores have a “husky” section, they're offering sizes for kids who are bigger and sturdier than average. The word isn't only about being overweight: it emphasizes strength and solid construction, like describing a piece of furniture as husky because it's built to last.
2. A husky is also a type of dog bred to pull sleds in cold northern regions. Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Huskies have thick fur coats, incredible endurance, and bright, alert eyes. They were essential to Arctic peoples for thousands of years, hauling supplies across frozen landscapes. During Alaska's 1925 diphtheria outbreak, a team of sled dogs, including many huskies, carried medicine hundreds of miles through brutal winter storms to help save the town of Nome, a heroic journey still celebrated today.

The word can also describe a voice that sounds rough, deep, or hoarse, like someone who has been shouting at a football game or is recovering from a cold.