Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is famous for its beauty and speed. If you just can’t help loving this breed, you would probably like to watch the adventure movie «Eight Below» by the Disney, which is based on a true story about six Siberian Huskies, travelling to the South Pole with Japanese expedition in 1957. And as a matter of fact, this breed is worth of being a film star or just your beloved pet.

The Siberian Husky originated about half a million years ago in Siberia. They say the name Husky is a sound corruption of Esky, which was the nickname for the Eskimos first. Now it has many funny names, such as Chukcha, Icee, Sibe or just Husky. By the way, the breed ancestor is reputed to be the Eskimo dog.

The Siberian Husky was used by the Chukchi tribe for many years to herd reindeer and pull sleds. These people led semi-nomadic life and therefore required the dog that would be able to pull a full-load sled across vast distances untiringly and at a decent speed. They got into the way of neutering all their dogs but the most talented canines were kept in order to improve its working qualities throughout the generations. Such a careful way of selective breeding created a great dog with steadfast temperament and exceptional stamina.

At the beginning of the XX century Americans in Alaska found out about the existence of a wonderful sled breed in North-eastern Asia. By 1909 lots of specimens of the Siberian Husky were brought to Alaska by Charles Mox Maule and other dog lovers. In the very same year the dog became a true sensation in the fatiguing All-Alaska Sweepstakes Race. Many sled-racing fans, including the celebrated Norwegian musher Leonhard Seppala began breeding and racing its specimens and subsequently won almost all of the racing competitions in Alaska.

Some explorers took the breed to their expeditions. In 1925 these brave dogs helped to bring necessary medicine to people during a diphtheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska. It also searched and rescued people in time of the World War II.

The breed got its official recognition only in 1930 by the American Kennel Club (AKC). It goes without saying, that nowadays Huskies are great hunting, sledding and carting dogs as well. But all in all, this breed is rapidly becoming popular among thousands of its fans who keep it as an apartment pet. Moreover the Siberian Husky has tremendous success in the conformation ring as well as at lots of performance disciplines, especially sledding.

The Siberian Husky is a loving, playful, gentle and devoted dog. That is why this breed is a poor watchdog, besides, it adores all and sundry, barking very seldom. Don’t worry such dog will stand up for his master anyway.

The Siberian Husky has docile yet somewhat dominant nature so it must understand its subordinate status since a young age. Proper obedience training and timely socialisation make it an excellent pet for any person. It also perfectly suits families with children. This dog retains its puppy-like playfulness well into its adulthood and loves romping with children for long hours.

Huskies get along really well with strangers and dogs. For countless centuries this breed was bred and brought up alongside with other creatures and it’s capable of peaceful co-existence with virtually any type of a family pet. Nonetheless because of its today huge popularity lots of greedy breeders produce dogs with unstable temperament so make sure to put in enough time and efforts in the choosing responsible one.

The most common problems for the breed include:

· ectopy

· eye problems

· canine hip dysplasia

· zinc responsive dermatitis

The Siberian Husky is rather easy than difficult to look after. Its double coat sheds two times a year, so you should concentrate on brushing it daily during these periods. Bathing procedures are almost never necessary.

If you want your dog to look like a movie star, than brush its teeth regularly, cut its nails and trim hair between the foot pads. Remember to clean the dog’s ears on a systematic basis in order to prevent harmful bacteria and nasty smell from developing.

The Siberian Husky is a very intelligent breed and can be also trainable. But the term «obedient Siberian Husky» sounds incongruous. Just that very case when a master must be stronger-minded than his pet. Such dogs are really cunning and feel on whose side is the leadership. Only in that case your pet will obey.

Each training must to be consistent and active. Use reinforcement methods as well. Be mindful though that this dog is sensitive to rough-housing and won’t put up with any kind of disrespectful treatment. Besides, socialise your Husky from the very puppyhood with other animals and humans.

The Siberian Husky needs a great amount of exercising daily, including jogging and walking. You can also try to teach your dog pulling a sled or a cart, what this breed will like for sure, since it’s its natural mission. And don’t go too far exercising your dog, because your Husky wears a fur coat summer and winter alike and can easily over sweat.

This bright and inquisitive canine won’t be fullysatisfied with its life without plenty of mental stimulation as well. That’swhy it’s recommended to enrol your pet in some advanced obedience training. If theSiberian Husky is deprived of regular vent for its exuberant energy such behaviouralissues as destructiveness and hyper activity won’t take long to appear.