Uncommon Siberian Husky Facts
From Dog Health and Howling to DogTraining and Behavior
For anyone thinking of buying a Siberian Husky this strikingly beautiful dog breed has its own set of traits that potential owners should be aware of.
Watchdogs not Guard Dogs
Siberians are wonderful watchdogs. Their friendly nature and genuine love of people means that they will happily sit and watch anyone coming in and out of their owners home. This is good news for an opportunistic burglar as huskies will watch him come in, give him a friendly lick, and help him out again with your computer, TV etc. On their website, the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain confirms that huskies have “...no guarding instinct and will greet and kiss an intruder the same as any other visitor”. Siberian Huskies do not make good guard dogs!
Huskies Howl Rather Than Bark
Huskies are the great talkers of the dog world, especially when initiating play. They rarely bark but emit wolf-like howls, yodels and woos to such an extent that they talk not only in sentences, but in paragraphs. The more dog owners talk to their husky, the more its vocabulary range will grow. For evidence of this go to You Tube and watch some of the entertaining ‘Talking Huskies’ videos.
Training a Siberian Husky
Siberians are intelligent and trainable dogs, but if they can’t see a reason for doing something to their advantage, they simply won’t do it. No amount of cajoling will help. They are also notorious con artists. They may yelp, scream and create great embarrassment during behavior training, at the slightest pull on their leash.
Husky Behavior
Digging is their favorite pastime. Not only holes in the garden but in water bowls too. A husky owner is constantly topping up bowls with fresh water, due to the infiltration of muddy paws. Large water bowls encourage big fun so opt for several smaller ones instead and be a spoilsport!
Huskies in the Heat
Huskies can withstand extreme cold but they can also withstand extreme heat too. Whilst this does not mean they should be unduly exposed to high temperatures, due to their unique double coats, both heat and cold take longer to penetrate the skin. Therefore, the likelihood of a Siberian getting sunburn on a hot day is remote, unlike short-haired dogs and pale-skinned breeds.
Husky Health Problems
The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britian warns that “huskies may react badly to some anesthetics and medications due to their relatively low metabolic rate and lack of body fat”. Before any surgery is carried out it is essential that a veterinarian is made aware of this. Due to their unique digestion systems, a vet should also understand the typical health problems of the breed.
Useful Websites
On its website,The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britian provides a comprehensive list of advantages and disadvantages of owning a Siberian Husky. These make essential reading for any potential owner of the breed.
The Siberian Husky Club of America and The Siberian Husky Club of Canada also provide useful information.
