Husky - Characteristics, size, fur, eyes, behavior, main diseases, health, feeding etc

Husky

The Siberian husky or Siberian husky is undoubtedly one of the dog breeds that have the most physical beauty. It is a dog originally from Russia, specifically from Siberia, that was born as a working animal for the Chukchi tribe. With this tribe they performed various functions, from keeping their owners company to grazing deer, pulling sleds, and keeping the children of the tribe warm. It is possible to find images of Siberian huskies in their origin, to verify that the concept that we have now of this breed differs quite a bit from its original image.

As the most striking feature of the Siberian husky, its close resemblance to the Siberian wolf must be taken into account, hence it is often considered a dog with a character similar to the wild wolf, but it is a misconception for the most part. A Siberian husky looks like a Siberian wolf dog, but they differ in many ways, especially when it comes to an animal that has been raised and educated as a family. They do have a highly developed instinct for belonging to the herd, but they will not fight for the territory like other of their counterparts would, since they were raised in an open world concept.

The husky dog is one of the oldest breeds in the world, originated exclusively from the tribes of Siberia, and spread to the rest of the world due to its character, ability to work, and beauty. The reason that they became such a powerful breed is that the Churches were very strict in selecting specimens for reproduction. They only allowed living those animals that showed great vitality, strength and endurance, and then they were raised with the best care and attention.

Due to their rapid expansion throughout the world, they are dogs that have become accustomed and adapted to live in any type of climate, adapting their fur to the place where they are. However, they are always happier in places where cold and snow predominate, since that is their natural environment. Seeing a Siberian husky puppy with black blue eyes jumping through the snow is a party that you should not miss if you are or are going to be the owner of one of these wonderful specimens.

Siberian husky Characteristics

The husky dog has very marked characteristics on a physical level, from its size to its posture when walking. They are very athletic, strong and resistant animals, trained to travel long distances and prepared to pull weights that multiply several times their own size. Their ears are always pointed, allowing them to adopt a practically permanent alert position. But these are not the only characteristics of the Siberian husky to consider.

Husky size

Physically, the Siberian husky has the characteristics of a medium-sized dog, which can reach 60 centimeters in height up to the withers in the case of the adult male Siberian husky, and up to 56 centimeters in the case of the female husky. Regarding weight, males move in the scale of 21 to 28 kilos, and females from 16 to 23 approximately. Their average life is 12 years, although they can live up to 15 or 16.

Husky fur

They have a long and dense coat, with two layers that adjust to the environment in which they live. Thus, they will lose the inner layer of fur in hotter climates, but will retain it and will be denser even in colder climates. This coat can appear in various shades, the accepted standard being the one that shows a combination of at least two of the colors. Among the most frequent coat colors are: white, black and white, red and white, sand and white, and gray and silver husky. They shed their hair between one and two times a year, so it is advisable to brush them frequently to prevent your hair from getting tangled and so that the hair does not end up scattered anywhere in the house.

Siberian husky eyes

Without a doubt, the husky is acclaimed by his eyes, although many times this characteristic takes precedence over others much more important. Although you tend to think that the only color for the husky is blue eyes, the reality is that genetics is the only one in charge of determining the color of each Siberian husky puppy. They can present eyes in various colors, such as the usual brown-eyed huskies or blue-eyed huskies, although one of the main characteristics of the husky's eye color is that it sometimes differs from one eye to another. As a resounding statement, the Siberian husky has piercing eyes, no matter what color they are.

How are Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute different?

It is quite common that there is a confusion between the Siberian husky and the Alaskan Malamute due to their physical similarity, but the truth is that they are two very different breeds. Certainly, they are two Nordic breeds whose fur is quite similar, but it is easy to discover their differences if you see specimens of both breeds. The Siberian Husky is smaller in size and dimensions, and less bulky than the Alaskan Malamute. Its proportions are reminiscent of those of a wolf, while in the case of the malamute its shapes are much more rounded and similar to those of molosoid dogs.

The husky and malamute's bodies do resemble each other in that they are very friendly and caring animals. However, the husky is a much more active dog and with very high needs for exercise, something that wins over the malamute. To make a decision about the best breed for you, you'll need to think about their space and activity needs, as well as their temperament. And is that the Nordics in general, and in particular the Siberian husky, have a behavior that must be understood and understood to make them really happy and maintain a perfect relationship between the animal and its owner.

Siberian husky behavior

A puppy Siberian Husky is a spectacle of nature. It looks like a soft and cuddly plush toy, but there is much more that hides under that toy appearance. The Siberian Husky has a difficult character to understand at times, so a whimsical acquisition can end up with the animal in a dog kennel or kennel. They appear in number 45 of the Stanley Coren classification on the intelligence of dogs, because it is a scale that mainly measures the level of obedience, something that Siberian huskies lack without strict training.

This is because the huskies were originally trained to be able to make their own decisions, even disobeying a direct order from their owner, if that decision was the difference between saving their lives or dying in the attempt. Dogs who pulled sleds were always ahead of the musher, so they were the first to know if a route was safe, and would have to change direction if it was not, regardless of the order given.

The husky's character is similar to that of the wolf at the base. It tends to live in a pack and to mark a dominant leader, canine or human, so it needs a group to live happily. They are independent and challenging to the rules, but also friendly and kind, perfect for living in families with children. They tend to create a very strong relationship with their owner, who will be the only one they respect as a leader when it comes to following orders.

Another characteristic of the husky's character is that he barks rather little, instead he howls and emits other sounds that have led to dozens of videos in which he seems to speak almost as if he were a human being. With a good education, discipline and affection, it is very rare for a husky breed dog to be aggressive and even bite people.

It is not a breed of guard, since the character of the Siberian husky is usually friendly to all people. Similarly, it is recommended not to let them run loose without supervision, because it is an animal that can easily get lost and travel long distances, in addition to being able to disobey the owner's order and endanger its integrity and that of other people .

Main diseases of the Siberian husky

The Siberian Husky is a strong dog that tends to get little sick. However, it does have some breed-specific diseases that you need to know to control your long-term evolution. The main affections of huskies appear in the eyes and hips in the form of an inherited disease, that is why the breeders are aware and eliminate any specimen that presents them from their breeding program, thus reducing their incidence as much as possible . By following the proper care for your husky, you can enjoy a healthy and active companion for a long time.

Husky eye problems

Eye problems worry most breeders and owners of a Siberian dog. However, this incidence is much lower today than is believed, so it should not be an obstacle for anyone who wants to share their life with one of these incredible animals.

Among the most common eye diseases are:

Beyond the eyes, hip dysplasia is the other major disease of the husky breed, and in general of most medium and large dog breeds. It affects the normal development of the hip joint, in a deterioration that shows towards two years of age. Breeders place special emphasis on eliminating this problem, since it supposes an immediate disqualification of the specimen as a breed standard, because it could never carry out the work for which it was supposed to be bred. Thanks to this care by breeders, the incidence of the disease in the Siberian husky has been only 5%, very low compared to other breeds that show rates of up to 50% incidence.

Basic care of the breed

The care of the Siberian huskies is quite bearable compared to other dog breeds. The most important thing to keep them in the best possible condition is to follow a routine of daily care or with the correct frequency. Thanks to its own characteristics, any time will be a good time to get husky photos, which are the envy of any other dog owner.

Health

Health routines should include cleaning teeth, cutting nails, grooming ears, etc. This is not necessary to do it every day, but with an adequate frequency to avoid other health problems.

Brushed

Brushing is one of the most important care of the Siberian husky breed. The ideal brushing frequency would be daily, although if it is impossible it should be done at least three times a week. In this way the hair will always show shine and softness. Try to choose a suitable brush, because the most normal brushes will not be able to penetrate into that hard pile blanket to drag dead fur.

Bathrooms

The bath is essential to remove dirt, possible parasites and to clean possible wounds that the dog may have on the body. However, it is not necessary to bathe them very frequently, since they themselves have a layer of fat that protects them, and that is removed with the bath. A good bath a month will be enough to maintain the best state of health in your four-legged friend.

Feeding

Huskies can eat anything, but sometimes their stomachs are sensitive, so it is not advisable to change their diet frequently. The best thing for them is to bet on a high quality dry feed, which provides them with all the nutrients for their organism. As for the amount, it should be approximately 400 grams a day, all depending on the size of the animal and the amount of physical exercise it does daily.

Exercise

All dogs need to exercise daily to stay healthy and balanced. A good walk a day will serve to improve the relationship, in addition to maintaining an enviable physical condition. You can complement the walks with other exercises at home, such as hiding prizes that you must find, which also keeps your brain active. Do not forget that it is also positive that from time to time you have your space to run freely.

Education

This point is very important to maintain the good mental health of the animal. Education must be done daily, since the dog is a Siberian Husky puppy. As cute and cuddly as he looks, that blue-eyed baby husky will grow up, and become an indomitable being if he doesn't get the remedy right from the start. Of course, education should always be done with love, forgetting any physical punishment and rewarding all positive behavior. Only in this way will the best relationship between the dog and the owner be achieved.

Siberian husky curiosities

In addition to all the information that should be known at the breed level, there are some interesting curiosities to know to complete knowledge about the husky dog breed.

About this breed, the legend of Balto is well known, a husky dog that in 1925 managed, with another group of dogs, to cross the Bering Strait to bring the necessary serum to control a diphtheria epidemic. In the middle of a snowstorm and during more than five days of crossing, the dogs managed to carry the medicine that otherwise would never have reached their destination.

Today, it remains the best canine exponent for practicing mushing, and as such continues to be used in races that take place in many parts of the world. Of course, these animals need special care and training throughout their lives to be able to keep up with the sporting rhythm that is required of them.

They are a breed of dog that likes to dig around whenever they have the chance. It is common for a garden to appear full of holes, but this is also due to its origins, when they had to dig a hole in the snow to lie down and protect themselves from the cold.

Contrary to what happens with other breeds of equal size or even much smaller, they are animals that hardly smell like a dog, and tend to keep clean and groom themselves, which does not mean that they do not need help, since there are areas of the body to which they alone do not reach.

They are hypoallergenic, which means that people who show symptoms of allergies to other breeds may live with a Siberian husky dog. This is because they produce the hormone that produces the allergy in very low amounts, so they are not usually a problem despite their large amount of hair.

The size of the husky makes it perfect for living in any type of house, as they adapt perfectly to the space. They can share a small flat with their owner and be perfectly happy, as long as they are given the time they require and do not skimp on walks or daily exercise.

Despite popular belief, it is not true that the husky needs to run for several miles each day. They could, but they adapt to their owner's lifestyle and amount of daily exercise.

Huskies tolerate heat quite well thanks to the ability to get rid of the undercoat of their fur. For this reason, a husky should never be shaved, because they would be left unprotected in the face of inclement weather, and may present sunburn, sensitivity or even heat stroke.

A Siberian husky can be a perfect traveling companion. They are extremely loyal and faithful, friendly and playful. You just have to know how to understand their needs for the relationship to be fruitful and lasting, so make sure you will be able to do anything for your new friend before deciding to share your life with a Siberian husky dog.

First of all, what you should do is inform yourself, go to several breeders specialized in the breed so that you can get to know these special animals first hand. Also try to see photos of huskies from previous generations to the one that your dog will be, because this way you can get an idea of what your new friend will be like. Get ready for the most exciting trip of your life, because even without a sled, nothing will ever be the same as before seeing your Siberian husky.

Characteristics and personality of the Siberian Husky dog breed

Siberian Huskies, the classic northern dogs, are friendly and intelligent, although somewhat independent and stubborn. They feel fulfilled with the company of people, although they need solid and moderate training since they are puppies.

The Siberian husky is a medium-sized dog slightly longer than it is tall whose height ranges from 50 to 60 cm and weight from 20 to 35 kg.

The Siberian Husky has upright ears and eyes from brown to blue or also disparate.

It has a straight neck and the top line is level. The tail, well covered with hair, forms a sickle upwards or extends backwards.

They have very dense and fluffy hair with an important inner layer. They have a small collar of hair around their necks, but they don't have long fringes on their legs or tail. The colors go from black to white through all the intermediate options. Most of these dogs have white markings, especially on the chest and paws.

Personality

Siberian huskies are classic northern dogs. They are intelligent, although somewhat independent and stubborn. They feel fulfilled with human company, although they need firm and friendly training since they are puppies. They are dogs raised for running, and their love for this activity can sometimes outweigh their love for their owners. Siberian huskies tend to be sympathetic to people, including children.

Most huskies get along well with other dogs, especially if they have grown together. They have a strong prey drive and can chase cats and cattle. Siberian huskies can be diggers, especially in hot weather, as they like to create cool places to stretch out. As a general rule they do not bark, although they do howl.

Coexistence

Siberian huskies grew up in very harsh conditions and, unsurprisingly, they are easy to keep dogs. They can easily become obese if they are overfed or do not exercise. They are dogs bred for running, and they should have a good run at least a few times a week. Siberian Huskies tend to be robust dogs and usually live to be 14 years old.

Positive early training and socialization are important for the Siberian Husky to focus on people. These dogs enjoy human company and like to be assigned a task, even if it consists of just running with their owners. They do not stand out for their inclination as guard dogs, although they will normally bark in alarm. If left alone for too long, they can become diggers and teethers, or give neighbors an endearing howling concert. Siberian huskies enjoy sledding and skijöring.

It is necessary to do your grooming a couple of times a week, and more intensively during the period of hair loss. The Siberian Husky's short hair is less prone to tangling than other northern dogs.

History

Both Russia and the United States claim to be the place of origin of the Siberian Husky. It was the Chukchi race of Northeast Asia who developed this breed more than three thousand years ago to assist them in their nomadic life as sleigh riders. It is clear that this breed has spitz ancestors.

During the Alaska Gold Rush, many dog sled races were organized for leisure as well as to check the status of working animals. Chukchis dogs turned out to be very fast running and very resistant despite their small size.

Its fame as a competition sled dog was consolidated when a team of Huskies traveled 550 km through violent blizzards to deliver serum to the city of Nome, affected by a diphtheria epidemic. Thanks to the film Balto and the different stories on the same subject, this breed is recognized worldwide.

Despite the fact that most of today's Siberian Huskies are beloved family pets, many still pull sleds in local competitions and enjoy skijöring with their owners.

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