Hero’s Huskies

Before You Buy...

The Magician

     The Houdinis of the dog world—they have the ability to squeeze through the smallest of holes, break or chew their way out of a tie-out, run through electric fences. Some will actually devise a plan for their escape route that you may have never even thought of.

     We've witnessed this actual escape plan: one Siberian waits patiently around the corner for the prime opportunity when you open that front door, then bolts over the coffee table, over the chair, and one last leap over your shoulder...then begins the game of catch-me-if-you-can. Think it can't happen? Think again. Sibe owners learn to anticipate escape routes so they're always one step ahead of their quick or devious Siberian Husky.

     These intelligent dogs are always learning new things; if you live with a husky they will certainly teach you that you have never seen it all. A husky home must learn the tricks of the trade, before their Siberian does a magic act for them.

Some human tricks of the trade:

• There is a proper way to leave and enter your home—always be aware of where your husky is when you are coming and going. 
• Avoid doors with an intentional delay, set to close behind you. These doors offer precious seconds that any red-blooded Siberian will certainly take advantage of. 
• It is a good idea to place door latches up high. Better yet, lock doors to the world outside. You’d be surprised what a husky can do when motivated.

The Athlete

     The Siberian Husky is a natural athlete. They require exercise in some form. However, it is a misconception that the Siberian needs lots of open space. Adequate exercise can be achieved within a small fenced area or with daily walks. Remember, though, that due to their strength, they should not be left solely in the care of a young child or less-than-physically-fit adult.

     Another great way to exercise a Siberian is to have two! With two Siberian Huskies, they can entertain each other. While it isn’t necessary to have two, it is certainly helpful to have another dog around that likes to play. Without a partner in crime for your husky, the humans of the house will need to be quick and ready on their feet for play.

     Ask any multiple Siberian home about the wonder of their play. Watching huskies play is often equated to watching a hockey game. “He goes for the body check.” “Hey, that’s roughing!” Think of the fun you can have sitting back with a nice refreshing drink watching the games in your own club box—no crowds, no sticky floors, and no lines to the bathrooms.

     Another option for the Siberian craving person who only wants one dog is to adopt a mature companion. They certainly are still full of spunk, but they are not at the same level as the youngsters.

     Keep in mind that all Siberians will find a way to amuse themselves almost anywhere they go. That is why it is always important to find ways to keep them entertained. With their intelligence coupled with their power, they can be a handful for the unwitting home.

The Dietician

     Originally bred to perform on a minimal amount of food, the Siberian requires less subsistence per pound than other breeds their size. Some will actually monitor their own intake and will pass up on eating a meal here and there. However, some will also acquire a taste for table food and will try to hold out for only table food.

     Many new Siberian owners have been heard to say, “My Husky won’t eat the kibble; she went three days without eating. I put some leftovers in her food and she finally ate, but she only ate the left-overs. The kibble was left in the bowl.”

     The husky will train the owner what to feed, if allowed. Huskies do require a balanced diet, high in protein and fat. Many commercial dog foods do not meet the dietary needs of the Siberian.

     While we are on the subject of what Siberians like to eat, let’s dispel the myth that Siberian Huskies will never be able to live with a cat. Although they have a very high prey drive, many Siberian Huskies have accepted cats as part of their family. Keep in mind that while the Siberian Husky has a very strong prey drive, they also have a pack mentality. Some huskies will accept cats as part of their pack. 

     However, while they may accept your cat as part of the family, that doesn’t mean the cats—or the chickens, geese, rabbits, or goats—down the street are safe if they wander into your husky's sight. You should take the same care with any breed when it comes to other animals. Siberian Huskies are neither the rule or the exception.

The Wanderer

     Nomads by nature, Siberians can easily adjust to a new environment. In fact, to them every stranger is just a friend they haven’t met yet. This nomadic tendency, coupled with their innate curiosity, makes it extremely important to always have them confined or on a leash. With no fear of cars and no homing instinct, this nomadic tendency could easily leave them prey to hunger, injury, disease, or worse.  

     Remember that these beautiful furr-kids are often expert Houdinis, so this wander-lust coupled with their ability to escape can be a dangerous thing. Security is extremely important for the Husky owner to review on a continual basis. Many Siberian Husky owners find refuge in crating their Siberian when they are not home to watch them outside, thereby keeping escape opportunities at a minimum.

     Imagine you and your Siberian having a nice walk in the woods. It is a beautiful day and the birds are singing and a little bunny is hoping past you. Oh wait! There goes your husky after the bunny! You yell for your dog to come back, while the words "independent" and "stubborn" pop into your head. It has happened, it could happen again; without a leash your husky can take advantage of any opportunity that they see fit to use.

The Gardener

     They have a natural tendency to dig and with awe you can watch them dig large craters in your yard. They might even find that sump pump leak, which was 3-4 feet under the ground. They have an instinct to dig which can be curbed to some extent but not eliminated.

     Many Siberian Husky owners find the need to keep a towel ready by the door and often cringe at the sight of rain—because when there is rain, there is mud. And where there is mud, there are Siberian Huskies standing in the middle. The image of muddy Siberian Huskies is an image that can make some laugh and others cry.

     In addition to their natural tendency to dig, Siberians—not unlike most other dogs—will also do some other "light" gardening around your home. One may decide for you that the bush outside needs trimming. Another may try to help your prized rose bushes with a natural watering.

     In coming to an agreement on the subject of gardening, many Siberian owners have taken one of two courses of action:

• With the use of training and/or setting up physical boundaries, the Husky owner will keep their "prized gardens" to themselves and give the Husky their own "novice garden."
• Forget the garden and learn to use to the words "Oh well!"

The Hair-Ball

     Many have seen the beautiful thick coat of the Siberian Husky and immediately condemn them to life as an “outside dog.” Although they are coated with a double insulated coat of hair which protects them from both heat and cold, they need as much indoor comfort as any other breed.

     While we are on the subject of that thick, wonderful coat, let's stop one fallacy here. Siberian Huskies CAN, HAVE, and DO live in hot climates such as Texas. While they are subject to dehydration, just like any dog or human, they are just as happy as long as they are with the people they love. Of course, they need water and don't mind some air conditioning.

     This luxurious undercoat will fall out in clumps twice a year (no matter where they live) when they "blow coat." When it is hot outside they often find it cooling to take a bath in the mud. Some Siberian owners have resorted to leaving a "kiddie" pool outside to let their Sibes cool off.

     To see all of that Husky hair covering your carpets, one can't help but think, "what a waste of hair!" Well don't fret, it can be used to spin yarn and make garments! You can have a husky coat of your own. Check out http://www.sos-srf.org to learn how husky hair helps Siberian Husky rescue.

The Socialite

     These social butterflies are considered to be very pack oriented and gregarious. Whether their pack includes humans or other dogs, they easily become bonded with others. They are not meant to be left alone for long periods of time. They require the companionship of others, animal or human. If left with no others around to occupy him or her, either the howling begins, the escape route is started, or something you really liked is destroyed. For example, a Siberian pup could easily relieve boredom by turning your waterbed into a large pool. As they say, “idle paws are the devil’s workshop!”

     This isn't to say that Siberians can't happily live as "only children." Nor is it to say that Siberians can only live happy lives in homes that have someone home all day. There is always a way, if the Siberian owner is willing. In today's day and age most dogs are left to their own devices while their families are out and hard at work earning biscuit money. During this "free time," the use of a crate is strongly recommended.

     The word crate is often viewed by many people as being a prison or jail. While it could become that if it isn't properly used, the crate—when utilized properly—can be a happy condo or safe place for a dog. Remember that dogs are denning animals and they look for the close and confined security that a crate can give them.

     Ever notice a dog without a "crate" often takes to resting under a computer desk, under a table, or behind a couch? Slap a gate on the opening and what do you think it is? Answer: A crate.

The Guardian

     Siberian Huskies have an extremely sociable nature that makes them useless as watch dogs. In fact, if a burglar broke into your home, your Sibe would likely show him where the money is and then invite him to play. A Siberian might do harm in kissing a burglar to death, but that can take some time.

     On the bright side, Siberian Huskies are very pack oriented. This means that while they would be happy to make friends with the burglar, they will also happily be friends with everyone they meet. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, which is why it is always important for any dog to become well socialized with a multitude of different people and dogs in various settings.

     What does socialize mean, exactly? It means that a dog should have "happy" encounters with lots of kids, other dogs, and people. Dogs don't necessarily generalize well. For example, a dog could live very happily in a home with another dog. This dog never leaves the house to meet other dogs, and so they never get to learn more than how to react within the setting they are accustomed to. When that dog goes out on the town one day and is insecure the first time he meets a different dog in this new setting, who's to blame? This is why it is so important for a husky (or any dog) owner to socialize their pet beyond their "known" pack.

     Within the Siberian Husky personae, it is typical for a husky to bond with their pack whether it is other dogs, humans, or both. Being pack oriented, they can sometimes be wary at first of creatures outside their pack. A plumber can come into your home to do his work and a husky might stand himself between your daughter or son and give that evil eye as if to say, don't touch my sibling. However, keep in mind that if you are looking for a reliable protector don't count on the husky to do the job.

The Einstein

     Training a Siberian Husky is a challenge. They are extremely intelligent and stubborn, which can be difficult when training. They might talk back when you ask them to sit and soon you will find yourself having a conversation with your Siberian about why he or she should sit for you. Or they might stare directly at you in understanding of the command and decide they just don’t feel like listening.

     Because of their independent spirit, training must be handled with consistency and patience. A Siberian Husky owner really should come armed with both a lot of good reading material and a good sense of humor to be able to handle their antics.

     A successful Siberian Husky owner will tell you that training involves lots of positive training. You ask, "What is positive training?" Positive reinforcement training is a method by which a dog is praised for performing the desired task or behavior. Generally, this praise is done by voice, clicker, or treat. It is most assuredly the best method to use when training your Siberian. As a working dog, they like to learn and enjoy having a job to do. The dog is happy learning something new, and the owner is happy to be successfully teaching. It is a positive experience for all and a great way to bond with your dog.

     As with all training, it is important to be patient and consistent. Training should be done for no more than 10 minutes at a time, as your dog may become bored. If you decide to devote 30 minutes a day to training, you will get much more from three 10 minute sessions than one 30 minute session. Siberians are very intelligent dogs, and as such, are prone to become bored during training. Therefore, it is good to continually teach them new things throughout their lives. As they learn new things, your relationship will continue to grow.

     After viewing and reading the Many Personae of the Siberian Husky, if you can honestly say that you can’t wait for the Siberian challenge to begin, you are as crazy and stubborn as the rest of us Siberian owners. Despite the many challenges the Siberian offers, the more time you spend with a Siberian, the more you will understand that there is usually a logical explanation for most of their outlandish behaviors. While the Siberian will not submit quickly to your will and will insist that you prove yourself a good and reliable leader, once you have earned his or her respect you will be rewarded for years to come.

 SIBERIAN HUSKIES

HUSKY BREED HISTORY

The Asian Chukchi people of the extreme northeastern part of Siberia, once depended on Siberian Huskies to survive. The hearty dogs pulled sleds, herded reindeer and guarded property in a challenging, frigid environment. Their amazing stamina captured the attention of passing fur traders, who eventually brought the dogs to other parts of the world.

Huskies gained worldwide recognition when they rushed needed serum to ill Alaskans. They still compete in sled races, but also delight pet owners with alert, gentle and independent spirits. Despite having developed in cold climates, Siberian Huskies adapt well to a variety of living conditions.

Want to learn more about Balto and the Serum Run?  The true story appears here:

 www.balto-iditarod.com  (Thanks, Burt!)

The Siberian does not have qualities of the guard dog. They are not overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive with other dogs. They are intelligent, tractability, and have an eager disposition to be an agreeable companion and willing worker.
IDEAL BREED CHARACTERISTICS

Size: Males 21 to 23 1/2 inches, Females 20 to 22 inches (at the withers).
Appearance: Compact, powerful body with smooth, effortless motion.
Coat and Color: Straight, thick, smooth, medium-length coat with a soft undercoat; hair on the tail. All colors, shading from white to black.
Head: Slightly rounded skull with a gently tapered muzzle;
almond-shaped, brown, blue (or both) eyes; erect, high, triangular, rounded ears.
Tail: Long, curved, carried over the back.
Average Age span: The same as all large-med dogs 10-14 yrs any more a plus

 

Siberian Huskies and Heat
The important point to remember in relation to Arctic breed, is that these breeds were able to survive in the Arctic not only because they could tolerate cold but because more precisely, they could tolerate extremely wide swings of temperature in relation to their body temperature. Therefore, they are also, it appears, better adapted for severely high temperatures. The animal that was selected by living in a temperate climate, that is, one in which the temperature stayed very close to the animal's body temperature throughout the year, is not only going to be very susceptible to cold weather, but also is going to be more susceptible to severely hot weather which is well over the dog's body temperature.
 

Living with a Siberian Husky:

A Siberian is the most beguiling and loving dog. It has a great zest for life, boundless love in it's heart, and a mischievous spirit. It is classically beautiful, with friendly, spirit-filled eyes. A husky is most trustworthy around young children and small animals.  It delights in their company and is a loyal wonderful companion for life. It is not prone to barking, but lets off a characteristic howl like a singing when making itself heard.  They require low maintenance and do not eat large amounts of food. They are a very sturdy dog and are wonderful in the sports area. Great in winter sports, they love to pull loads on skis and sleds; even in the summer, they will always pull and play.
 

Coat and Grooming
The Siberian Husky is a comparatively easy dog to care for. He is by nature fastidiously clean and is typically free from body odor and parasites. Siberians clean themselves like cats. In fact, a Siberian that becomes soiled with mud will clean himself up. Therefore, bathing requirements are minimal. In fact, most owners bathe their dogs once per year or less.

Twice a year, Siberians blow their undercoats, that is, they shed their undercoats completely. It is a very intense shedding period that can last three weeks or more from start to finish. The good news is that this only happens twice a year. The remainder of the time, Siberians are relatively shed free. The bad news is that the shedding period can be rather messy. The hair comes out in large and small clumps. It should be noted, however, that this shedding schedule is climate dependent. Some owners that live in very warm climates, ones that lack clearly defined seasonal changes, report some shedding year round in the breed.

Other than during coat-blowing season, the Siberian needs very little grooming. No trimming or shaving of hair is required or recommended. Just occasional brushing to remove dead hair and keep the coat fresh and shiny is required. Their nails should be checked and clipped periodically, and their feet should be checked regularly to ensure good health, particularly in actively working dogs.

The Chukchi believed that their dogs guarded the gates of heaven, and that the way you treated a dog in this life determined your place in heaven. If this is so then surely when time comes for us to pass we will be assured of a place of great honor.

In an unrelated Musher's Legend, North of Rainbow Bridge,  it is said that your dogs wait for you, asleep until you come across, then they pull your sled through and into heaven!