Mary Allen
Originally bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia as tireless sled dogs, huskies have now evolved into companion and house dogs.
They are intelligent, although sometimes stubborn when trained, and have a friendly, laid-back disposition. They get along well with other dogs and children. They don’t cause any problems in the house if they get enough exercise and attention.
Siberian husky – are very strong and persistent dogs
The ancestors of the Siberian Husky come from northern Siberia. There they were for centuries indispensable companions of the nomadic peoples living there, for example, the Chukchi.
In the past, the husky was the main companion of hunters and reindeer herders in northern Siberia. The Inuit treated these dogs like family members. They were allowed to live in the house and the puppies were raised together with the children.
The term husky is used for many sled dog breeds, but this breed is probably the only one that deserves the name. The Siberian Husky is a beautiful dog with an impressive temperament, tremendous strength, and great endurance.
Appearance
This light-footed and sturdy dog has a square build and a medium-sized head with a rounded occipital bone, elongated muzzle, and prominent stop.
The almond-shaped eyes are slanted and show many shades of color – from blue to brown, whereby sometimes each eye can be colored differently. The triangular, medium-sized ears stand erect, lie close together, and are densely-haired inside and out.
The coat’s dense undercoat consists of soft and straight hairs of medium length. The coloring of the coat is irrelevant for the Standard, although a typical white mask can often be observed on the snout. The densely haired tail hangs low when at rest and at work, but is carried in a bow when the animal is alert.
Care
The dog likes to be brushed now and then, especially during the change of coat. The coat usually stays nicer if you keep the husky in a (spacious) outdoor kennel.
Temperament
The Siberian Husky possesses a strong personality that has developed in the free and harsh environment of the north. These character traits should definitely be taken into account when choosing such a dog as a companion. The properly kept animal always develops a deep relationship with its family and is good with children.
When it comes to keeping the dog, there must be a strict hierarchy between master and dog, because only then will the animal obey reliably. Unfounded, artificial dominance is something a Siberian Husky will never accept. By nature, the Siberian Husky is a particularly lively dog that sometimes breaks through wild instincts and therefore needs to be trained carefully. Despite his extraordinary strength, he is not suitable as a guard dog because he does not know the property. Usually, the Siberian Husky howls instead of barking.
Characteristics
The husky has remained a robust, eager, and extremely persistent working dog, which is only partially suitable as a family dog in our latitudes, although it is kept more and more frequently because of its beauty and elegance. As a former sled dog, he is extremely people-oriented and friendly to people and animals, but at the same time quite stubborn and independent.
Upbringing
In principle, huskies do not fit so well into the role of a “usual” family dog, even if a sporty family can best meet the necessary requirements.
A husky is a sled dog through and through. If you want to teach him something, you have to work energetically and consistently, in addition, you need a lot of patience and understanding of the nature of a polar dog. A husky actually only obeys when it understands the meaning of a command.
In any case, before acquiring a huskie, one should consult with a polar dog specialist and breed association.
Attitude
You should only buy a husky if you can consistently train him to be obedient and offer him a lot of exercise and activity outdoors. The short coat is easy to care for. Although this sled dog is used to wide spaces due to its origin, it is also suitable for the city, but then you have to give it a lot of exercise and freedom of movement. He suffers from heat.
Compatibility
As pack animals, Siberian huskies get along well with their own kind, but you should first observe how they interact with other pets. Cats and rodents are not necessarily suitable housemates for a husky, fortunately, contact with children is not a problem. Huskies don’t like to be alone, so it’s a good idea to keep several huskies at the same time.
Movement
The dogs of this breed need a lot of exercises and do not compromise in this regard. If you’re an avid sledding enthusiast or aspire to be one, you can’t find a better choice than the husky – huskies are famous around the world for their speed. However, if you cannot find the time for this exact hobby (a husky should be harnessed to the sled a few times a week), it is better to look around for an alternative.
Lonely huskies, who also get too little exercise, react with loud howls, if they don’t pay enough attention, they can also react easily stubbornly and stubbornly. Incidentally, you should only walk the husky on a leash, otherwise, it is not impossible that he “takes his legs in hand” and disappears from then on.
Particularities
Siberian huskies can be kept – with one or more conspecifics – in outdoor kennels. The plush, thick fur protects them in all weathers. In summer, however, this coat quality can have a very disadvantageous effect – dogs should therefore not be allowed to work when it is hotter.
History
The Siberian or Siberian Husky is usually simply called Husky. This short form is sufficient because there is no other breed that also has the word husky in its name. Incidentally, the husky is a slightly condescending English term for Eskimo or Inuit and refers to the origin of the dogs.
They are primitive northern dogs that have been used as sled dogs by nomadic reindeer herders, especially in northern Siberia, for centuries. In 1909 they appeared in Alaska, which was then owned by the USA, and were used with great success for sled racing. As a result, the American Kennel Club recognized the huskies, which have remained very true to type in their sub-polar homeland, as a breed.