Thursday, July 30, 2009

Everything about the Siberian Husky?

I want to know everything about Siberian Huskies. Specifically how much to feed them and the best food as they grow. House breaking, training, everything
Thanks,
Greg
Answers:
Poohbear essentially nailed it. Here are some other things that I can think of.
Sibe's do favor cold weather but they can do just fine in warmer climates, they just have to be indoor dog's or taken in if the temp's rise above 90.
Don't ever shave a Sibe. They have a double coat for a good reason. If you shave the dog you will run the risk of causing sunburn and heatstroke, and possibly death.
They shed excessively and blow %26lt;meaning the hair comes out in chunks/losing their undercoat> their coat about twice a year. They shed much more than the average dog. You will literally be able to pull out bag fulls of hair. This means you and your house will be covered in hair! A good vacuum and a lint roller will come to be your best friends.
As poohbear stated, Sibe's won't eat much. It's just the way they are and no need for concern. A lot of people do make their own food for them. I don't personally, but it couldn't hurt with all the pet food problems as of late.
They are little Houdinis. No joke. They are smart as a whip and can escape even when you think there is no way. I know one who got out of his backyard even though there was a 6 foot privacy fence and an electric fence. Mine learned to open the back gate. You will never be able to walk them off leash.
Also know, that no matter how much training you've provided Sibe's are quite stubborn. If they don't want to do it, or don't see the point, then they won't. They are great at ignoring!! Treats are the best bribe. They will do anything for treats.
You should have no problem housetraining. A crate is great for that. Plus every Sibe I've known loves their crate.
They are extremely clean and don't have your typical dog smell. I only bathe mine a few times a year, he never ever smells.
Crates are also great for using when you are gone. A Sibe will have to be leashed or crated when no one is home. They are curious and also destructive. Mine tore my house up when we left him alone.
They are avid chewers as well. A sturdy Kong or Wubba is a must have for Sibe owners!
I can't think of anything else at the moment. Please feel free to look over my previous answers. There are a lot of questions about Sibe's. You can also email me if you like, I am always happy to help out Sibe owners or potential ones!
Also check out this site. It gives a great visual! Click on the pics for more info. http://www.gimpydogs.com/breedstuff/husk...
You should get a book.. Everything about the Siberian Husky?? Would take a long time to tell someone.. Get a book.. Google is a good resource for information if you don't have a library card.
The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized, dense-coated working dog breed that originated in eastern Siberia, belonging to the Spitz genetic family. It is recognizable by its thickly-furred double coat, sickle tail, erect triangular ears and distinctive markings.
An active, energetic and resilient breed whose ancestors came from the extremely cold and harsh environment of the Siberian Arctic, it was imported into Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush and spread from there into the United States and Canada, initially as a sled dog. It rapidly acquired the status of a family pet and a show-dog, no longer as much used as a sled dog as formerly; today it has been largely replaced in dogsled racing by crossbreds. Size
There is a large variation in size among Huskies, and breed standards state that height at the withers and weight should always be proportional to each other. The approximate measurements:
* Males
o Height: 21 to 23.5 inches (53.5 to 60 cm)
o Weight: 45 to 60 lb (20.5 to 28 kg)
* Females
o Height: 20 to 22 in. (50.5 to 56 cm)
o Weight: 35 to 50 lb (15.5 to 23 kg)
[edit] Temperament
A blue-eyed Siberian
A blue-eyed Siberian
Despite their wolf-like appearance, Siberian Huskies generally have a gentle temperament. Being a working breed, Siberians are very energetic and enjoy the ability to explore and run. That, combined with their striking appearance, has made them popular as both family pets and as show dogs. Siberians can be extremely affectionate, curious (like all dogs), and welcoming to people, characteristics that usually render them poor guard dogs. Properly socialized Siberians are most often quite gentle with children.
The harsh conditions in which Siberians originated rewarded a strong prey drive, as food was often scarce. Consequently, Siberians may instinctively attack animals such as house cats, birds, squirrels, rabbits, chickens, quail, and even deer, and have been known to savage sheep. However, many households enjoy harmonious, mixed "packs" of cats and Siberians; this works best when the dogs are raised with cats from puppyhood.
A 2000 study of dog bites resulting in human fatalities by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found fifteen such fatalities (6% of the total) were caused by "husky-type" dogs (excluding Alaskan Malamutes) between 1979 and 1997.[1]. Most Huskies are not especially aggressive, but some dogs may have stronger prey drive than most, which may manifest itself in aggression towards humans.
[edit] Behavior
As with any dog breed, Siberian Huskies do have some qualities which some pet owners may find undesirable. Despite their affectionate nature, Siberian Huskies are not as subservient and eager to please their owners as some other popular breeds, and will sometimes refuse to perform a task unless given a better "motive" than simply pleasing their trainer. Siberian Huskies can be challenging to train due to their strong will and independent thinking. Proper training requires persistence and patience. Siberian Huskies are not generally recommended for first time dog owners, as their strong will and desire to run are difficult for inexperienced owners to manage.
Siberian Huskies have strong running instincts and therefore for their own safety should never be left to run free off-leash. They have little "homing instinct" and will run for long distances, and therefore should always be kept on a leash or in a fenced yard. Siberians also dig large holes and will show considerable ingenuity in escaping from fenced runs. As sled dogs they have a very strong desire to pull, thus good obedience training is recommended.
Siberians require exercise on a daily basis and a secure fence at all times. Although they do sometimes bark, they are more frequently known to "yodel", "howl", or "whoo", often vocalizing when excited, back-talking to their owners, or to initiate some play or challenge behavior with either human or canine companions.
[edit] Health
Siberians are normally rather healthy dogs, typically living from eleven to fifteen years of age. Health issues in the breed are eye troubles (cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal dystrophy among others), allergies, and cancer in older animals. Hip dysplasia occurs but is not a major concern in the breed with high levels of protein and fat, particularly when used for dogsledding. That said, Siberian Huskies are fuel-efficient dogs, consuming less food than other dogs of similar size and activity level. The diet must be adjusted to their level of work and exercise; obesity can be a problem for underexercised, overfed pets. Due to their origins, Huskies do require some amount of fish oil in their diet, primarily for their coat and nails, which can become brittle without the fish oil. Most trainers/hobbyists recommend feeding Siberians sardines as a means to introduce fish oil into their diet, though flaxseed oil can be considered a less-expensive alternative to sardines. the best diet for a Siberian Husky is one that the owner makes fresh, using quality ingredients, without preservatives. It only takes about one to two hours a week to cook for a Siberian Husky so that both #1 %26 #2 are met and preparing home cooked meals for a dog can be less expensive than buying the average all-breed, any-breed commercial pet food. I hope that you will consider using this option to feed your companion pets correctly. Hope this helps. The best way to house break and train is puppy school.

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