The Siberian Husky

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The Siberian Husky

• By Sue Pimenta

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

• HISTORY
• CHARACTERISTICS AND TEMPERAMENT
• CARE AND TRAINING
• PHOTO GALLERY
• DID YOU KNOW???
• THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW!!!

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HISTORY

• Siberian Husky is a very pure and ancient breed,
  dating back 4,000 years or more.
• The Siberian Husky was originally developed by
  the Chukchi people of northeastern Siberia as an
  endurance sled dog.
• They were also used to herd reindeer.
• In the winter of 1925, when a diphtheria epidemic
  broke out in the isolated town of Nome, Alaska, a
  relay of dog teams brought life-saving serum from
  distant Nenana.
• The Siberian Husky is now one of the most popular
  dog breeds in North America.

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CHARACTERISTICS AND TEMPERAMENT
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COAT AND GROOMING

• The Siberian Husky is a comparatively easy dog to
  care for.
• He is by nature clean and typically free from
  body odor and parasites.
• Siberians clean themselves like cats.

• Twice a year, Siberians "blow, or shed their
  undercoats, completely. It can last up to three
  weeks from start to finish. The good news is that
  this only happens twice a year.
• Other than during coat-blowing season, the
  Siberian needs very little grooming. Just
  occasional brushing to remove dead hair and keep
  the coat fresh and shiny is required.
• Many allergy sufferers have found that they can
  include a Siberian Husky in their family.
• Their nails should be checked and clipped
  periodically.

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EYE COLOR

• Eye color is varied, ranging from dark brown to
  amber as well as blue, marble eyes (one eye has
  both blue and brown) or bi-eyed (one eye is brown
  and one blue) and the bi-marble eye. 
• Pigment on black and gray dogs should be black
  while on red dogs the pigment is liver colored.
• Due to the genetics of coat color breeders may
  not be able to tell you exactly what color their
  puppies will be before birth, they may only be
  able to offer you an educated guess based on
  their knowledge of the pedigree and their dogs.  

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TEMPERAMENT

• The Siberian Husky has a delightful, affectionate
  temperament.
• The Siberian Husky is alert, eager to please, and
  adaptable.
• Siberians are an extremely intelligent and
  independent breed.
• They can be very stubborn, owing to their
  original purpose, and they are easily bored.
• His versatility makes him an agreeable companion
  to people of all ages and varying interests.
• This is not a breed that is typically recommended
  for first-time dog owners, as mistakes are easy
  to make and sometimes difficult to fix with this
  remarkably intelligent and opportunistic breed.
• While capable of showing strong affection for his
  family, the Siberian Husky is not usually a
  one-man dog.
• He exhibits no fear or suspicion of strangers and
  is as likely to greet a would be thief as warmly
  as a trusted family member.

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BARKING, TALKING, and HOWLING

• Siberian Huskies are rather quiet dogs. They do
  not typically bark. They do talk, however, in a
  soft "woo woo woo" sound. They can howl very very
  well. Owners of multiple Huskies report frequent
  howling, starting and stopping simultaneously.
  Since the Siberian, like other northern breeds,
  is a very pack oriented animal, this behavior is
  typical.

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CARE AND TRAINING
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FEEDING

• When you collect your puppy, your breeder should
  tell you what the puppy's diet has been to date,
  as well as recommendation as to the best food and
  feeding frequency in the future, both for while
  the dog is still a puppy as well as when the dog
  is an adult.
• Remember that sudden changes in diet can severely
  disrupt the puppy's digestive system and cause
  gastric distress.
• The Siberian requires a relatively small amount
  of food for his size. This trait may be traced to
  the origins of the breed, as the Chukchis
  developed their dogs to pull a light load at a
  fast pace over great distances in low
  temperatures on the smallest possible intake of
  food.
• One other thing worth mentioning here is how long
  to feed puppy food. Some research indicates that
  feeding puppy food for too long can increase the
  incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs that are
  susceptible to it. Some breeders start feeding
  adult food very soon. Even though the Siberian is
  not fully mature until 18 months, most people
  gradually switch to adult dog food at the 8-10
  month time frame.

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HOUSING

• Siberian Huskies are happiest when they can share
  in family activities.
• The best arrangement is one in which the dog can
  come in and out of the house of its own
  free-will, through a dog door. If a dog door is
  not possible, then training the dog to go to an
  outside door to be let out is also very easy to
  do.
• Outside, the dog should have a large, fenced
  yard. The fence should be strong and at least 6
  feet tall. It is also a good idea to bury wire in
  the ground to discourage digging out. Siberians
  are notorious diggers. It is usually best to set
  up a sand box somewhere in a shaded part of the
  yard and encourage digging there, if possible.
• Siberians should not be allowed to roam around
  the neighborhood.
• If one chooses to kennel a Siberian, the kennel
  should be chain link, with a concrete run, and
  should be 7 ft wide and 10 to 15 ft long. It
  should be at least 6 ft high with chain link
  across the top of the kennel.

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TRAINING

• Training Siberian Huskies can be a challenge.
• They are an extremely intelligent, energetic, and
  stubborn breed, and one must be ready for the
  unexpected.
• It is best to start young with Siberians, and
  establish the rules of the house early, and make
  sure that the puppy knows that you are in charge.
  
• Since the dog is pack-oriented, it is important
  to establish yourself as the head of the pack, or
  alpha, very early. Once you do this, the dog will
  respect you and training will be much easier.
• It is very important to remember that the
  Siberian Husky is a working breed. His heritage
  has endowed him with the desire to run and his
  conformation has given him the ability to enjoy
  it effortlessly. Because of this, it is important
  that no Siberian ever be allowed unrestrained
  freedom. Instead, for his own protection, he
  should be confined and under control at all
  times.
• Since he is a working dog, he must be given
  something to do. Exercise may be obtained on the
  leash, and at play.

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PHOTO GALLERY
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DID YOU KNOW???

• Huskies love cold weather and snow. they can
  tolerate temperatures of minus 50 to minus 75
  degrees below zero.
• They're gentle, affectionate pets and wonderful
  companions for children.
• Prized for their great beauty, intelligence,
  wonderful way with children and lack of dog
  smell, they are also more free-spirited (and
  free-ranging) than many other popular breeds, and
  have a reputation for stubbornness and
  relentlessness in pursuit of a goal.

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THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• THE SIBERIAN HUSKY
• IS A RUNNER and must be on a leash at all times
  when out of a secure yard.  They seldom slow down
  once they are free and the chase is on which
  sometimes leads to deadly consequences as they
  dart into a street.
• LIKES TO DIG AND CHEW, they are no different from
  any other puppy. While they may outgrow the
  chewing stage, some stay diggers forever!
• MUST HAVE A FENCED YARD,  preferably at least 6
  ft. high and solid.  They have been known to go
  through a wood fence to investigate whatever they
  see, or hear, on the other side.   They are an
  active animal and need to have room to exercise.
• IS EXCELLENT WITH KIDS but isn't a great fan of
  "smaller" animals such as guinea pigs, cats,
  chickens, rabbits, etc.  They have a "prey"
  instinct and while they may not intend to kill,
  they will grab small animals and often cause them
  serious and fatal injuries. 
• IS NOT A WATCHDOG because he is not a "barker".
     Instead, they will eagerly greet their new
  found  friend/intruder with a wagging tail and
  lead them to the bag of treats.  If a watchdog is
  what you want, this is not the breed for you.

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• THE END