Last Updated on December 3, 2021 by admin
In this article, we will talk about what you should know about Siberian Huskies. Here you will learn all about their history, their appearance, their temperament, their care requirements, and what they are like as household pets.
If you are new to the breed and want to know all about huskies, you are in the right place. Read on and discover everything you need to know about huskies!
Husky History
Huskies were first bred by people indigenous to eastern Siberia, called the Chukchi people. Huskies were bred as sled dogs, to pull cargo and people across ice and snow. They worked in teams. These beautiful dogs were selectively bred to give them strength, stamina, endurance, and a coat that could withstand the cold.
They were first brought to Alaska in 1908 for use as sled dogs during the gold rush. Huskies carted not only gold but supplies and even mail.
The American Kennel Club recognized the husky as an official breed in 1930.
The husky was used during the Heroic Age of Exploration in Antarctica, at the end of the 19th century.
Husky Appearance
Huskies are a medium-sized purebred dog which belongs to the working class. Huskies are lean yet strong.
They have a thick double coat which varies in color, but mostly features black, gray, silver, and white markings. The darker colors are on the back and the light color is on the underside.
Huskies have a pointed muzzle and pointed ears. They have a brush-like tail that curls over their back. Some huskies have brown eyes, some have blue eyes, and some have one of each! This is known as ‘heterochromia’.
Some people find huskies a desirable breed to own due to their exotic wolf-like appearance. But this alone is not a good enough reason to own one.
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Husky Temperament
Huskies are intelligent and friendly to everyone, even strangers, therefore they are not suitable as guard dogs. Huskies are independent, so they can be head-strong and stubborn. This can mean they can be difficult to train for an inexperienced owner.
Huskies love to be with the family, and they generally get along with other dogs pretty well, but they should be socialized with other animals from the time that they are a pup, the reason being that they have a strong prey drive and they will chase anything small and furry.
Obedience training is essential and should start during puppyhood.
Husky Care Requirements
Huskies live for 13 years on average if they are given the right nutrition, exercise, and health care.
They are prone to food allergies, so they may need specially-formulated dog food for sensitive stomachs.
Huskies are also prone to skin problems, eye problems, and thyroid problems.
Huskies As Household Pets
The Huskies can make a great addition to the family as household pets, but there are a few caveats to this.
These dogs need LOTS of vigorous daily exercise. A leash walk around the block is just not going to cut it with this dog. If you do not give them this outlet, to run and burn off energy, then they become bored, unhappy, and destructive. This means digging holes in the backyard and scaling fences to escape. This is dangerous to both the husky and any small animal it encounters.
Huskies shed a great deal, so prospective owners must be ready to groom them daily during a major shed, which happens twice a year.
Huskies can live quite happily in warmer climates, where they will shed more often. Just make sure that they can come indoors and chill out under the air conditioning.
Five Fun Facts About Huskies
- Huskies can be seen sled-racing in teams in the annual Iditarod trail dog sled race.
- Working huskies can run up to 100 miles a day.
- Huskies are very talkative and love to use their voices to express themselves.
- They have a ‘magic’ metabolism that can draw fat stores from their blood if there is no food.
- Huskies share a little bit of their DNA with the gray wolf.
Famous Huskies
Balto
In the Alaskan town of Nome in 1925, an outbreak of diphtheria struck, with many children falling ill. It was up to several teams of huskies to make the 1,000-mile trip to fetch and bring back the cure, for the town had been snowed in and the railroad was blocked.
Balto was only a young dog at the time, but he successfully led the team that ran the final leg. These incredible dogs did this in six days.
Today, Balto is commemorated by a statue that stands in Central Park in New York, and it is dedicated to all of the sled dogs that saved the people of Nome.
White Fang
This dog is fictional, and in the eponymous story, this dog was part husky part wolf. The author of White Fang, Jack London, was a big husky fan. London admired their hardiness, their independence, and their intelligence.
Boo Boo
Boo Boo was a husky sled dog born in Antarctica at the British base. After 9 years, Boo Boo had covered close to 10,500 miles.
In recognition of his service, Boo Boo was allowed to wander the base freely in his retirement, rarely chained up, unlike the other dogs. So he would take deliveries of bones and meat to his pals!
A Summary Of What You Need To Know About Huskies
Simply put, huskies are an unusual, beautiful, intriguing breed of dog. They are capable of the greatest physical feats yet they can also make the best of companion dogs in the right home, which is one which understands their needs.
If you are considering owning a husky, be sure to check out your local shelters and rescue groups. Sadly, many huskies are abandoned because they do need a lot of exercise and a lot of grooming.
Like all dogs, it is not ok to bring one home just to leave it outside all day. They need to be with their pack, and that is you. They have been bred to work as a team, for they have done so for thousands of years. It is just the way they are hard-wired!
