Siberian Husky
Temperament:
Everyone knows the sled dogs with the pretty drawing. The Siberian Husky is an active contemporary. As a pronounced outdoor dog, he is best suited for sporty people. He is considered very open and socially compatible.
Characteristics
Because of its Nordic origin his coat consists of two layers: dense undercoat and water repellent topcoat. This furry texture provides optimal insulation in frosty weather. At the same time this breed does not tolerate heat very well. In any case, you should keep this in mind if you want to keep a Siberian Husky. Although the coat is very easy to maintain, but tends to, to hair strongly.
There are two breeding lines: the show line and the working line. The former are considered more suitable for families, while the latter are designed for performance. Nevertheless, the boundaries are fluid. Don't blindly rely on them. Make sure you can meet the general requirements of the breed before purchasing.
The breed is bred in all color strokes. Typical is the drawing on the head, also called mask. In addition, the Husky impresses with almond-shaped eyes. These are mostly blue or brown. However, they can also be differently colored. His paws are comparatively compact. Pointed prick ears and a bushy tail still testify to its Nordic origin.
The Husky is from medium size, elegant stature. His physique is made for running long distances. He also needs that to feel good all around. Accordingly, you must provide him with plenty of exercise and activity. If you prefer to spend your free time on the couch, the Husky is not for you. For true sportsmen and natural types, on the other hand, the dog represents a faithful companion.
Its visual similarity to the wolf is also reflected in its nature. The Siberian Husky is called friendly and gentle, but temperamental described. He naturally has a strong desire for freedom and will. A consistent education is therefore necessary. Although he is very docile, needs his Training for obedience a lot of time and empathy. Due to his open nature towards people he is less suitable for use as a guard and protection dog.
The breed has a brilliant sense of direction and turns out to be a prima Tracker out. As athletes they need a lot of movement and also mental challenges. If you want to make your husky happy, harness him in front of a sled or your skis. It is not suitable for keeping in the big city. He feels most comfortable outside in the garden. Also the pronounced hunting instinct of your four-legged friend must not be ignored. Cats or rabbits are not suitable as roommates. If the husky has not been accustomed to them as a puppy, he will regard them as prey.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
As an athletic dog, the Husky has a Higher energy demand than other breeds. The combination of two thirds meat and one third vegetables has proven itself. It's up to you whether you go for the ready-made mixture or prefer to barf. Both types of food offer advantages and disadvantages. If you want to use ready-made food, make sure that it is explicitly suitable for active dogs.
The breed does not tend to be overweight. For neutered animals, you should still keep an eye on the fat content.
Huskies like to gorge. That's why it's best to feed your dog in portions twice a day. Then remove the bowl. However, access to fresh water must be available throughout the day. Make sure that your Husky rests for at least two hours after feeding. Otherwise, there is a risk of gastric torsion.
Feed your husky no food leftovers. Spices and additives are not well tolerated. They can cause stomach irritation and digestive problems. Under no circumstances should your dog eat chocolate! This entails severe poisoning and in the worst case death.
Would you like to bring your four-legged friend with treats If you want to indulge yourself, choose suitable products from specialist retailers. Make sure that they contain no sugar and as little fat as possible.
Do you put your Husky reddened eyes, itching and severe hair loss, he usually lacks zinc. This deficiency is due to a genetic defect. This prevents zinc absorption in the intestine. Therefore, consider the zinc content when choosing food. If there is no improvement, your veterinarian will be happy to advise you.
Siberian Husky Care
At least once a week you may devote yourself to the grooming of your husky. This is especially pronounced in the winter. In spring and autumn the coat change takes place. During this time you can support your husky with daily brushing. The best time to do this is during a walk. This way you do not have the brushed hair in the living area.
The coat usually cleans itself. You should only bathe your Husky in an emergency. On the one hand, you disturb the natural insulating layer. On the other hand, it takes a long time until the dog is completely dry again. This increases the likelihood of colds.
You should keep the fur between the pads short. This prevents ice lumps, grit or other foreign bodies from getting caught. In addition, you can protect the pads from drying out with greasy creams.
Make sure that the claws do not become too long! One sign of this is a distinct clicking sound when your Husky walks over slippery ground. By cutting regularly, you prevent deformities. It also reduces the risk of injury from tearing or biting. When clipping, make sure you don't catch the live part of the claw. This is where the blood vessels and nerves are. This is easily visible in light colored claws. Dark ones you can shine through with a small lamp before cutting. Do not forget the so-called wolf's claw. This grows on the inside of the hind legs. Alternatively, you can have the claws cut at the vet.
You should also pay enough attention to your husky's teeth. As with humans, neglect will cause problems. To prevent tartar and inflammation, you can brush your dog's teeth. Or you can use chewing articles. Regular dental check-ups are a must!
Suitable accessories
A good brush belongs absolutely in the care set of your Siberian Husky. Optimally you use a soft wire brush or a natural bristle brush. Also you need a claw scissors. When buying it, make sure that it is stable and has a spacer. It should always be sufficiently sharp.
For dental hygiene there are special Dental care sets for dogs.
Origin & History
As the name already reveals, the Siberian Husky originates from originally from northern Siberia. There it was used by the nomadic peoples primarily for the Hunting and as a transport dog used. As such, he was indispensable for the exchange of food between tribes. Already at the age of six months, the puppies were trained for their use on the sled. In addition, the husky with its thick fur kept the children warm at night.
His career as a sled dog began in 1909. Gold fever drew Siberian fur trader William Goosak to Alaska. He entered a pack of 10 huskies in the "All Alaska Sweepstakes" race. Although no one took his little dogs seriously, he finished in third place. As huskies became more and more popular as sled dogs, Leonhard Seppala established the first breeding in Alaska in 1910. In the 1950s, the husky reached Central Europe. In 1967 the first representative of his breed was registered in Germany.
The Siberian Huskies gained special fame during the important "Serum Run". In 1925, a diphtheria epidemic broke out in Nome. Due to the weather, it was not possible to reach the city by plane or ship. So sled dogs were resorted to. After a spectacular relay race, the vital serum was delivered and the inhabitants were saved. A monument to the sled dog "Balto" was erected in Central Park in New York.
