Siberian husky
Lovers of siberian husky claim that whoever once chose him will always have a dog of this breed or … he will never go for him again. Huskies do not like loneliness, so they feel best, constantly accompanying a person or being among other dogs.
Nature
Siberian husky is a dog of great temperament, lively, cheerful and friendly. He is very alert, but gentle disposition makes him unsuitable for a watchman. It can quickly adapt to new conditions. As a dog with a strong character, he can dominate the owner if he is allowed to. He gets along great with children, but due to his mobility and spontaneity, he should not be left unattended with the children.
Huskies do not like loneliness, so they feel best, constantly accompanying a person or being among other dogs (especially their own breed). They retained many of the features typical of wolf ancestors. They howl more often than they bark, and their herd has a strict hierarchy, which sometimes leads to dominant fights. The group also exhibits strong territorial behavior and can be dangerous to intruders.
Curiosity, cleverness and high physical fitness make the husky a master of escapes. If we keep it outside, the garden must surround a high fence (a two-meter fence may not be a sufficient obstacle for a representative of this breed) on a solid foundation. Even the largest garden will not replace regular walks and trainings.
Husky needs a specific task and a solid portion of movement – a simple stroll on a leash is not enough (he will be bored destroying objects in the surroundings). Running together is a better solution. You don’t have to start in sled races right away – jogging, trot by bike or walking will also satisfy your needs.
Huskies show strong hunting instincts and, when left unattended, can hunt animals. When it comes to the attitude towards other dogs, some individuals tolerate kinsmen, while others behave aggressively towards them.
Skills
Originally, the Siberian Husky was pulling a sleigh with nomad-hunted animals. Then they began to take part in races, they were also used to transport not too heavy loads and mail.
The modern representative of this breed is a family companion and a sports dog. He can take part in sleigh races or three-wheeled carts – from sprint to long-distance races.
The teams are divided into classes depending on the number of dogs running in them: class 0 consists of 7-10 dogs in the first stage of the race and at least five in the following, in class A runs 5-8 quadrupeds, in class B – 4-6 and in class C – 2-4. The numbers next to the letter indicate the breed – in the case of husky it is 1, which means that only dogs of this breed or at least one of its representatives run in the team (the number 2 indicates the other sled breeds).
Other disciplines in which dogs of this breed are doing well are: Scandinavian competition, pulka, skijoring, bikejoring, pull tests, pack dog competitions, dogtrekking, canicross. Some siberian huskies work well as dog therapists.
Siberian husky. Training and education
Husky is intelligent but independent. He does not like to submit, and besides, he is interested in everything that happens in the environment, so obedience is not his strength. This dog requires an individual approach, consistency and gentle treatment. He does not immediately follow the instructions, although properly motivated (e.g. favorite delicacy) willingly works with the owner. It is best to practice in a few minutes of sessions and be patient.
A good solution is classes in a dog kindergarten, because from a puppy you have to consistently raise a husky and teach basic commands. At the representative of this breed, you do not need to develop a passion for pulling, because it is in her blood. You have to prepare him for the effort and teach him how to work in a team.
The first short training can be started with a six-month dog, but without too much physical and mental effort. The quadruped is slowly getting used to pulling, for example, by tying it to the harness with a tire matched to its weight and age. Young husky learns how to work in a team with an experienced brother. Puppies during the development period cannot pull heavy objects (e.g. sleds with children) or run by bicycle.
Who is this race for?
Siberian husky is not suitable for a household member or a person expecting absolute obedience from a dog. He requires a patient and understanding owner who will devote a lot of time to him and ensure occupation. Lovers of the breed believe that whoever decides to go for a husky soon will have their entire herd or … will never take such a dog again.
Siberian husky. Advantages and disadvantages
Disadvantages
- molts abundantly
- he is not especially obedient
- has a strong hunting instinct
- runaway can run away and destroy objects
- may show dominance over his kin
Advantages
- sociable, likes to spend time with his family
- friendly towards people
- can live with children
- active, you can play sport with him
- very resistant and durable
Health
Siberian husky is a healthy and resistant breed. The thick coat protects it not only against cold winds and frosts, but also against high temperatures, if we do not interfere in it too much.
A dog who lives in the house may not be able to handle the sudden move to the paddock in the middle of winter, and the dog that we don’t dry thoroughly after bathing will catch a cold if we let him out in the cold.
In the summer, huskies usually look for a shady place to rest (they often dig deep burrows in the garden), although it happens that older animals bask in the full sun. In hot weather, quadrupeds should be provided with constant access to water, and training should be conducted early in the morning.
Most of the ailments affecting the Siberian Husky are due to their temperament and curious disposition – food poisoning, cuts and injuries occur. Their typical condition is skin changes caused by a lack of zinc (they do not have to occur in every dog). The husky’s body does not synthesize this element on its own, which is why it is sometimes necessary to supplement it with the appropriate preparation. Hip dysplasia and PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) may occur.
One should also remember about regular protection of the pupils against ticks, because in their abundant hair it is difficult to notice these parasites.
Feeding
The Siberian husky’s diet should be adapted to the dog’s age, activity and living conditions. You can give him ready-made food of good quality or food prepared by himself (supplemented with calcium, vitamin and mineral preparations).
Meals for racing dogs must provide them with the maximum amount of energy in a small amount of food. Depending on the type of effort they should contain a higher amount of carbohydrates (sprint) or fat (long distances). Before starting, give glucose dissolved in water.
During the molting period, preparations containing unsaturated fatty acids, biotin and zinc may be used. Adult dogs only need to be fed once a day, preferably after returning home.
Care
The intensity and frequency of molting the Siberian husky depend on the conditions in which the dogs are kept. For those who spend most of their time outside, it usually happens twice a year. The spring change of coat is very intense, almost all the undercoat and partly the outer coat fall out.
In autumn, the husky loses moderate amounts of topcoat. Dogs living in the apartment molt while central heating is in operation. Small amounts of hair fall out virtually all the time.
The husky’s coat has self-cleaning properties, so you only need to comb the dog from time to time. Only when replacing the coat should be done daily. To remove dead hair and comb long hair, e.g. on the trousers, we use a metal comb with teeth of different lengths. For less overgrown areas, an ordinary medium-density metal comb is sufficient.
We bathe the dog when necessary or before the exhibition – too frequent baths destroy the natural protective layer of the hair, making the coatless resistant to weather conditions. The best are shampoos with natural oils that prevent excessive drying of the hair.
Then we dry the pet with a summer stream of air from the dryer, while combing it thoroughly (if it is warm and we do not go to the exhibition, the hair can dry itself).
When preparing a husky for a show, you can use a blaster – a very powerful dryer, which makes the hair separated thoroughly (this significantly increases the attractiveness of the appearance). A slight correction of the fur on the paws is allowed to emphasize their shape and give a neat appearance.
Representatives of this breed are presented on a loose, least conspicuous ring.
Accessories
Dogs of this breed are best taken in a half-clamp collar from the tape. It should not be released loose, so you should get a long cord or automatic leash.
When it comes to toys, plush mascots with no filling inside work well. Natural teethers may also be given. It’s best to have a few toys that we will often exchange (we give them to the dog one at a time), because the huskies quickly get bored with them.
Siberian husky. History
Siberian husky is an original breed in which the insurgent man interfered to a small extent. Her ancestors should be sought among dogs that have lived for thousands of years in the areas of Eastern Siberia, the Kolyma River region, the Kamchatka Peninsula or the Bering Strait and the Arctic Sea. People living there gained food during hunting, in which dogs helped them. Each family bred animals of a different type depending on the needs, climatic conditions or the terrain.
The precursors of sled dog breeding were Chukchi, considered the oldest ethnic group living in Siberia. The word “husky” in their language means “hoarse” and in the past all these quadrupeds were named – now only siberian husky. When 3 thous. years ago the climate cooled down, Chukchi began to use the four-legged to pull a sleigh. They lived in settlements in the hinterland, so they traveled more and more distances to get food. Their dogs had to be strong, durable, resistant to harsh weather and cheap to maintain.
During the Arctic summer, they often cared for food themselves, so they only experienced the strongest and the smartest. Most males were castrated to prevent fights in the herd and accidental mating and to help preserve body fat.
In 1909, Siberian Huskies found their way to Canada thanks to the Russian fur dealer Pelzhandler Goosak, who exhibited his dogs in the All Alaska Sweepstake (650 km). Due to their inconspicuous appearance, the locals called them “a team of Siberian rats” and gave them no chance. The greater their amazement when they reached the finish line as the third. In 1910, along the route of the same race, John Johnson’s team set a record (74 hours, 14 minutes and 39 seconds), which was broken only in 1983.
The race is associated with the history of saving the city of Nome in Alaska from the diphtheria epidemic in January 1925. Bad weather prevented the vaccine from being transported by plane, so it was delivered by train from Anchorage to Nenana, and from there by dog sled to Nome. The relay team consisting of 20 marchers and 150 dogs in less than six days covered a route of 1085 km. Balto – the leader of the last team – became the most famous dog of that time – his monument is located in New York’s Central Park.
From 1973, to commemorate this event, the most difficult and prestigious race in the world – Iditarod – is held cyclically in Alaska .
Systematic breeding of the breed in the United States began in 1914 Norwegian Leonhard Seppala. He allegedly bought some dogs from Roald Amundsen to take part in the expedition to the North Pole, but ultimately it did not come to fruition. His team’s wins in the All Alaska Sweepstake in 1915-1917 significantly influenced his interest in the race. In 1930, the Siberian Husky was recognized by the American Kennel Club as a separate breed. The International Kennel Club (FCI) entered it in the register in 1966.
Template
Siberian husky – group V FCI, section 1, reference number 270
- Country of origin: United States
- Size: height at the withers of dogs 53.5-59.5 cm; bitches 51-56 cm; weight of dogs 20-27 kg, bitches 16-22 kg
- Coat: double, medium length, appears dense, but not so long as to obscure the contours of the figure; soft undercoat, dense, long enough to support the outer coat (no undercoat during molting is normal); ground coat straight, slightly adhering, neither rough nor protruding from the body
- Ointment: all colors are black to pure white; a variety of meanings are allowed
- Reaching puberty: one to two years
- Lifespan: 13-15 years
Interesting facts
Siberian Huskies are known for being able to … climb fences and run away. Therefore, they should not be alone in the yard, but only in the company of a guardian who provides interesting activities.
