Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
Siberian Huskies are a beautiful breed that resembles the appearance of a wild wolf. With their variety of coat shades and their colorful personality, they are a treasured breed in the dog world.
In this article, we’ll discuss the specific qualities of the Siberian Husky, and ways you can accommodate them in your life.
History Of The Siberian Husky
The History of the Siberian Husky is truly fascinating, as DNA tests prove that they are one of the oldest dog breeds on record. With their roots being tied to a tribe of Siberian nomads, they have an interesting history that takes them back to the 1800s.
The Siberian tribe, the Chukchis, used The Siberian husky for fast transportation as well as family dogs to help care for and guard their children.
The original Huskies were even known to sleep with the tribe children each night, providing them warmth and comfort.
The Husky then made their way to Alaska where they were used as sled dogs during the gold rush. Once they showed their worth in fast transportation, they began their journey in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes, and are still active members of the races today.
Siberian Huskies made their way into the homes of Americans in the early 1900s, and are found in homes across America today.
Huskies have gained extreme recognition over the last decade, and their popularity has only continued to grow.
Appearance Of The Siberian Husky
The average Siberian Husky will range from 35-60 pounds and can stand up to 24 inches in height. With females typically being smaller than males, Siberian Huskies can range greatly in terms of size.
Their most well-known feature is their plush coats that are made for the toughest of winters. Their hair is thick and coarse and comes in a variety of different markings. The most common Husky colors include:
- Black and white
- Grey and white
- Red and white
- Pure white
- Pure black
They are also known for their striking eyes that can range anywhere from baby blue, brown, or a combination of colors. They often have a thick black ring around their eyes, giving them an intense and beautiful appearance.
Personality Of The Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is known to be quite stubborn, so they are not recommended for a first-time dog owner. Their strong will and intense need to be pack animals can be challenging, but it is also what helps to make them so special.
Siberian Huskies are high energy dogs, so they require daily exercise and stimulating training. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by your Huskie’s eagerness to please you, and how willing they are to learn and abide by your structure. They seek a leader to their pack, so it’s important that you exemplify strong and confident leadership.
Siberian Huskies are also known for their vocal and playful behavior. They are known to howl and talk right along with you in their own special way.
This playful attitude is why it’s impossible to miss comical Husky videos online, as they are always up to new and hilarious antics.
The Siberian Husky is a product of their environment, so they are more outgoing and kind natured to all kinds if they are exposed to other dogs and people at a young age.
When owners properly socialize their Husky puppies, they find them to be incredibly sweet and welcoming to newcomers in their life.
Overall Health Of The Siberian Husky
While Siberian Huskies can lead a generally healthy life of 12-15 years, they are prone to a few medical conditions. Some of these conditions include:
- Corneal dystrophy: This is a hereditary condition that affects the cornea of the Husky, leading to small white dots distributed through their cornea.
Dogs with this condition will often experience cloudiness in the eye, and vision disturbances.
- Cataracts: Cataracts are so common in Huskies, that about 10% of Huskies are affected. This condition causes the lens to thicken over time, making it difficult to see as they progress.
- Progressive retinal atrophy: Progressive retinal atrophy is a condition that causes the retina to deteriorate over time.
If not treated early on, this can eventually lead to blindness.
- Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a condition that can lead to severe changes in the hip joint, resulting in severe discomfort for dogs that are affected. Hip dysplasia can begin at any age and will progress if medical attention is not sought out. Since these dogs often experience pain, limping, and lameness, your veterinarian will often recommend joint supplements and other pain management options.
- Follicular dysplasia: Follicular dysplasia is a condition that usually begins in the first 6 months, and can result in hair loss, abnormal hair growth, or irritated skin. While there is no cure, your veterinarian can often manage skin irritation.
- Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is the insufficient function of the thyroid gland.
This condition can result in weight gain, hair loss, lethargy, and other abnormal symptoms.
Grooming Your Siberian Husky
If you bring a Siberian Husky into your home, expect a large amount of hair. Huskies have incredibly thick coats that even with daily shedding, will still leave some hair behind.
If you are looking to reduce hair around your home, daily brushing is recommended to help reduce the amount of fur you may find on your furniture. Their shedding will pick up during the spring and fall, so make sure to stick to their daily grooming more than ever during this time.
Because of Siberian Huskies’ unique coat, they don’t require frequent bathing. In fact, bathing your Husky too often can result in dry skin and irritation, so it’s best to only bathe them once every 3 months.
Another factor in a well-rounded grooming routine is the monthly trimming of your Huskies nails. When a dog’s nails get too long, this can lead to discomfort when they walk or even possible injury if their nails puncture the paw pad.
By keeping their nails nice and trim, you can keep your dog’s paws safe and alleviate any discomfort around their paw pad.
Training Your Siberian Husky
Huskies are pack dogs, so they require an owner that is a clear leader of the pack. They benefit from a strong and confident leader and are extremely eager to please their humans.
Due to their willingness to learn and their intelligence, they catch on to new tricks and training incredibly fast. If you create a structured training program that focuses on positive reinforcement, your Siberian Husky will be ready and eager to learn.
Socialization is another important part of a thorough training process for a Siberian Husky. Just like any other dog breed, a Husky will be more fearful about things they have never been exposed to. When a dog is unsure of the people and sights around them, this can make for a dangerous situation.
Your life and your Husky’s life will be much more enjoyable if you implement early socialization, and expose them to as many new people and dogs as possible. A confident dog is a happy dog.
Fast fact: Siberian Husky is a very popular breed, that it si often used to create new breeds, such as Eurohound, a breed very popular in Scandinavia
Exercise And Your Husky
Huskies are one of the most energetic dog breeds out there. They require daily exercise and stimulation and are unhappy in an environment that limits their physical activity.
Siberian Huskies require a minimum of 30-60 minutes of daily exercise and play time, and may even have energy even after these daily play sessions.
They are happiest when they are working, so when they are adopted into family life, it’s important to keep them as busy as possible.
If a Siberian Husky feels pent up or bored, they can become destructive and display unfavorable behavioral habits. Huskies have been known to shred up a room when left home alone for long hours, so it’s important to try your best to give them the daily play that they require.
Though Huskies love outdoor play time, keep their thick coat in mind. They can overheat easily in hot climates, so it’s best to participate in indoor play during warmer months.
Good to know: Thanks to their high energy levels, thick coat and love toward snow, Huskies are often seen being members of avalanche rescue teams
Important Tips For Owning A Siberian Husky
A Siberian Husky would be an incredible addition to any active home, as they make a wonderful companion for any family. If you choose to adopt a Siberian Husky, here are a few tips to remember:
- Siberian Huskies are heavy shedders, so daily grooming is important to keep the amount of fur at bay inside your home.
- Siberian Huskies can be destructive when left alone for long hours, or when they are not receiving daily exercise and stimulation.
- Siberian Huskies love to howl, so be ready for some adorable Husky talk.
- Siberian Huskies are extremely stubborn, and require a skilled dog owner that is comfortable with being a “pack leader.”
- Siberian Huskies are prone to a number of eye conditions, so make sure to monitor their eye appearance and vision capabilities closely.
- Socialization is an important part of the Husky training process, so make sure to introduce them to as many sights and sounds as possible.
Siberian Husky: Conclusion
Overall, the Siberian Husky is a unique and treasured pet in the dog world and continues to prove just how amazing of a companion they are.
If you are looking for an outgoing and comical dog to welcome into your family, the Siberian Husky may be for you!
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