Siberian Husky – 10 Dos and Don’ts for their Owners
Few other dog breeds are as stunning in appearance as the Siberian Husky. Their gentle temperament and playful nature make them great family pets, provided you can provide them with the exercise and company they need. They are a truly unique breed with their hardiness and weather resistant double coat protecting their skin from extreme temperatures in the coldest or hottest conditions. Although they are known for their striking blue eyes, not all dogs have this color, some are brown or double-eyed, one blue, one brown. As the proud owner of 6 of the breed, here are a few pointers I’ve learned from research and experience.
Do it
- Get a Husky companion for your Siberian Husky if possible. Siberians are pack dogs and get bored easily. They don’t like to be left alone. If you do, you may find large holes dug in your garden when you return home, as Siberians can be quite destructive when bored. If you are introducing them to another pet, then they have a better chance of adjusting when they are in a puppy hood. They will mix successfully with cats and other dogs if you introduce them young. Our 6 Siberians live in peace and relative harmony with four cats.
- Securely fence your yard, making sure the foundations are deep and the fence is tall enough for them to jump over. Huskies are enthusiastic diggers and world-class jumpers and are great escape artists. In addition, their favorite activity in the garden seems to be digging into their water bowls!
- Make sure your husky gets enough exercise. Being working dogs, Siberians are not suitable for low-energy households. However, if you have companion dogs, they will enjoy playing tag with each other and will often exhaust themselves by running around your garden if it is large enough.
- Invest time and patience in training them. Siberian dogs are very intelligent, but also wayward. They may not do something unless they see a reason to do it, not just to please their owner.
- Keep them on a leash at all times when outdoors. As many Sibe owners know firsthand, Huskies love to run and run and lose all sense of reality. Unfortunately, many Huskies are lost or injured because of this dedication, as by the time they realize they have outrun their owner or are too far from home, is it too late. Even worse, they may find themselves running into the path of a car.
- Check them regularly for hip dysplasia from about age 6 and up. Although the breed does not have a wide range of documented health problems, they are prone to hip dysplasia, especially if they do not have high levels of fat and protein in their diet. The lifespan of a husky is usually 12-15 years. Although they are known for being able to withstand the coldest temperatures, their double coat also offers their skin protection from the sun in hot climates, although with their very thick coat you may find that your husky’s favorite position is to sitting in front of the air conditioner, lying on his back with his four paws in the air!
- If, like me, you live in a developing country (or area) without western standards of veterinary care, then check very carefully as to the type of anesthetic to be given to your Sibe. Ask your vet to do a test if needed. Severe reactions can occur in huskies if they are not given the equivalent of a human anesthetic – I speak from experience here. Fortunately I had read about the dangers early on and so had to avoid neutering them as the right kind of anesthetic was not available. However, there came a time when one of my huskies needed immediate surgery for a life or death situation and I almost lost her due to her bad reaction to the anesthetic. Her entire face and body became swollen and required emergency treatment. I now live in an area where good quality anesthetic (human type) is available and the local vet understands the quirks of the breed; so since then they have all been neutered without any problems.
don’t do it
- Get a husky if you want a guard dog. Thanks to their kind, affectionate nature, they are friendly to everyone, even strangers. However, they are great “watchdogs”, they will watch a burglar enter your house and greet him enthusiastically, then watch him leave with your TV, computer, etc., giving them a friendly lick. to send them!
- Worries too much about styling. They are fairly low maintenance, requiring minimal daily brushing. Twice a year, however, they shed profusely and then they need more care.
- Expect your husky to bark. Instead, they have a large capacity for talking, courting, howling and yodeling, and can make full sentences when interacting with their owners and initiating play. These dogs are real talkers, you never know what sounds they’re going to make next, and they seem to have an ever-increasing vocabulary over the years. Some of mine are now able to make complete sentences, talk about the weather and such!
- Feed them. Siberians are frugal (and picky) eaters, so they don’t need as much food as you might think. Due to their sensitive digestive systems (remember, they are sled dogs) they may do better with fish and white meat based products than red meat. They also need fish oil in their diet to maintain healthy coats and nails. This can be in the form of sardines or many dry foods and veterinary supplements that today contain Omega 3.
Invest time and love in caring for your husky and it will reward you with its friendly, gentle and cheerful nature. They are loyal, intelligent dogs, good with children, affectionate with everyone and rarely bark.
For a related article on unusual Siberian Husky facts for owners, please visit http://dog-breeds.suite101.com/article.cfm/huskies_5_not_so_common_facts
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