Thick coated wolfish dog Siberian Husky has a unique bearing. He belongs to the working class dogs and possesses a somber look.
But do not be fooled with his appearance as a jolly dog lies underneath his deceiving personality. He is a tireless worker but not a guard or protector. Blue eyes and mushroomed coat lend him unmatched fan base among dog lovers.
Coming straight from Siberia, this dog never minds cold weather.
Siberian Husky personality:
Hard work lies in the blood of a Siberian Husky. It is an ancestral blessing for them as their forefathers used to pull sleds for miles in the Siberian Tundra weather. They prefer pack environment.
Huskies promise friendly demeanor for everyone they meet. Suspicion is simply not in their genes. So, you can never rely on him for your protection. If he senses someone’s arrival, he might warn you occasionally. This is more like a calling bell and not an alarm.
He sees no reason for why an intruder should be punished. He believes that the world is big enough for everyone and there is no such thing as trespassing.
As a result, you basically get a superbly amicable dog at your disposal. Beware of his digging as he is going to landscape your lawn in search of his secret vaults which will be used for storing his precious possessions. He is the digger in chief and this is a natural part of his character.
Robust activities are outcome of his incessant energy. He is however almost free from barking except for howling. This is a one of a thing that you will ever encounter from a dog. It resembles no other sound in the world and it’s sweet.
Measure Siberian Husky smartness:
Siberian Huskies are smart dogs. He has a position on the 45th spot in the dog intelligence list put forward by Professor Stanley Coren.
They will slowly push you to limits to check on your capacity. Work ethic runs much higher in this breed. It is a commendable part of their character. But training them within a structure is quite a difficult task. Their attention does not stick to your wonderful techniques.
Rather, their concentration seems to be everywhere else. However, nice treats and good behavior can alter Husky mind. Huskies thrive on intimate companionship. They have a sound temperament suitable for friendliness.
But his mood is subject to swings in absence of tons of physical activities. Keeping him busy with a lot of useful work will get him away from destructive behavior. Husky lovers do enjoy his effortless gait and top class athleticism.
However, his howling streak often runs for a long time and it makes him somewhat an unfit candidate to become an apartment pet. It greatly disturbs your neighbors. This is a highly adaptable dog who never minds moving from one place to another because of his nomadic past.
What & how to feed:
An adult Husky needs 2-2.5 cups of dog food everyday.
But their demand really depends upon health, age, activities and several other factors. You may serve him two meals in the morning and in the evening dividing this amount into two parts.
You can also give him three meals if the situation demands. This heavy duty worker can go on for even less amount than indicated above because of their history in the harsh Tundra conditions. Food was a scarce item for their ancestors. They have grown a long lasting habit from thereon.
He is good with both homemade and commercial dog food. His meals should be based on meat and fish. Protein and fat is vital for the upkeep of his luxurious coat. His protein requirement varies according to his work load. It must hover between 20-30 percent of his meals.
You are going to fix the amount of food and its ingredients over a course of experiment with his diet. You should remember that a Husky is not going to have a meltdown over a specific food. Contrary to the other dog breeds, Huskies are not going to eat beyond their absolute necessity.
They have an excellent metabolic mechanism that converts each element into energy. Lamb, fish, chicken, carbohydrates and vitamins will meet up his requirements. He can take both dry and wet food.
Escape a few health issues:
Siberian Husky is a very healthy dog breed and are not known for too many infliction of diseases.
However, their eyes are susceptible to cataracts. You have to look out for his medical clearances though. Health certificates from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) can immensely benefit your relationship with the dog.
Cataracts obstruct his vision by impairing the lens. The Siberian Husky Club of America points to his hips and eyes as the most vulnerable spots.
Hip dysplasia results into a disjointed femur head and causes great disturbance in movement. It may invite Arthritis as well. Medication can suppress it to a limit. But ultimately, the dog might need to undergo a surgery.
Corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy are two other concerns. Ophthalmological tests can greatly reduce your concerns. Apart from these issues, he is a fine dog. But you must remember that your dog is not supposed to have all these diseases.
Insightful care program:
Despite having a thick coat, Husky needs minimal grooming. A weekly brush using pin brush and comb will do just fine along with 3-4 baths a year. This is a phenomenally clean dog just like Saluki. He has a double coat and it sheds.
The undercoat is mostly responsible for this. They shed all year long and it is especially visible during two shedding seasons. You are going to be inundated under his fur. Only a coat rake can rescue you from such a situation.
This working dog needs a lot of daily physical exercise. They can greatly benefit from a fenced backyard. But their happiness requires extensive workload. Your patience is key to his maintenance. They can be vigorously stubborn.
You have to hold your horses at that moment. Trim his nails and clean his teeth regularly. Take a look inside of his ears at least once a week. He can also greatly use a yearly vet visit.
Proper exercise method:
Hot and sunny days are enemy number one to a Husky. You must not think about exercising in such a day. He needs at least an hour of daily activities. Running for miles is nothing special for him. Take some water with you as you are going out.
Quenching his thirst will cool him down as well. So, whatever method you choose for his exercise, it should be physically exhausting.
Otherwise, the goal of the program will bring no fruit. Get him under the lock of a leash as he is prone to running at any opportune moment. This is a fierce rally competitor. Avoid feeding him 30 minutes before or after an exercise. This practice will help prevent bloat, a stomach disorder.
Siberian Husky training cues:
Siberian Husky is a friendly dog. So, good socialization will gift you a topnotch companion. Beginning training upon his arrival is a good idea.
On top of that, a Husky is unlikely to follow each of your commands because of his wander lusting and naughty nature.
House training is going to kill a lot of time. You have to use a crate for this purpose. Instead of rigorous training drills, you can choose a middle of the way method. Do not push for anything.
Just surf the tide. It will give you some luck in teaching him the basic ideas. Use a crate to handle separation anxiety. Dedication is always the key to feeding him the training techniques. Give him the basic drills. You can prepare him for agility and obedience tests as he is a superior athletic dog.
Train them so that he digs up at a single location. He must do it because this was the way his ancestors traced out food.
Siberian Husky origin:
Chukchi, a nomadic tribe, single-handedly contributed to breeding this wonderful dog.
This is one of the oldest dog breeds. These dogs remained intact for millennia as the tribe was located in a desolate Siberian region with sub-zero weather conditions.
So, Siberian Huskies remained aloof from mixed touches of civilization for a very long time. Chukchis used Huskies for sledding purposes to reach their destination. It was also their family dog who provided companionship and service. The first Husky came to Alaska, America in 1908.
This dog adapted well to the harsh weather of Alaska as it was almost similar to his native home. He thrived in the business of legendary sled running competitions. He worked also as a mail deliverer in difficult terrains.
The AKC conceded this dog as a distinct breed in 1930. This dog has never lost its popularity on American soil and currently, it captures the 14th position on the AKC breed popularity list.
