Husky, scientifically known as Siberian Husky, is also known as the nickname "Er Ha". It is a primitive and ancient dog breed that mainly lives in the northeast of Siberia and the southern part of Greenland. The name "Husky" comes from its unique hoarse howl.
It belongs to a medium-sized working dog. It is a breed that is very close to the wolf in bloodline, so it looks very much like a wolf. It has light and graceful footsteps, a compact body, thick fur, upright ears, and a tail like a brush, showing genetic characteristics of the northern region.
Husky's temperament varies, with some extremely timid and some extremely violent. Huskies that have entered human society and households no longer have these extreme temperaments and are relatively gentle. They are a popular pet dog worldwide.
Husky, Golden Retriever, and Labrador are listed as the three major non-aggressive dog breeds. They are widely kept by people around the world and there are many events of this breed globally.
Husky originated in the early 18th century. In historical records, the ancestors of Siberian sled dogs can be traced back to prehistoric times. At that time, a group of Central Asian hunters moved to the end of the world, the Arctic (Siberia), and after a long time, these dogs that followed the hunters, through long-term mating and breeding with the Arctic wolf pack, developed into a unique northern breed.
Among the people who crossed the Arctic Circle and eventually settled in Greenland, there is a tribe, which is the Chukchi people who later developed Siberian sled dogs. The Chukchi people used Huskies, which have an appearance similar to wolves, as the most primitive means of transportation to pull sleds and used Huskies to hunt and raise reindeer, or breed and bring them to the frozen land they inhabited in exchange for food and warmth. Due to the small and sturdy size, small appetite, no body odor, and strong cold resistance, Huskies became an important asset for the Chukchi people. And this group of dogs, originally called Siberian Chukchi dogs, is the ancestor of Huskies.
It is said that the name Husky is a slang of the Eskimos - referring to the hoarse barking sound. Because the dogs at that time had a low and hoarse barking sound, they got this wonderful title.
In the early 20th century, the Siberian sled dogs were introduced to Alaska in the United States. In 1909, Siberian sled dogs made their first appearance in a dog race in Alaska.
In January 1925, diphtheria broke out in the remote town of Alaska. Since the nearest city with serum was 955 miles away, in order to quickly transport the serum to treat diphtheria, it was decided to use a Husky sled team instead. The 657-mile journey would normally take 25 days, but due to the rapid spread of the disease, the sled team decided to transport in a relay style. The sled team completed the task in just 5 and a half days, saving countless lives.
In 1930, the Siberian sled dog club was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club and established its breed standards. In 1938, the American Husky Club was established. Since then, Huskies have transitioned from the polar environment to urban life. They are not only excellent sled dogs but also outstanding companion dogs.
Husky has strong adaptability to the living environment, it can adapt to any environment, but it is best to have spacious space, living in the suburbs is better, or have a fenced yard, it is more suitable for breeders living in the community but with more open spaces.
This dog is afraid of loneliness and needs someone to accompany it. It has a lot of energy and needs a lot of exercise, so it is not suitable for the elderly and working people or students with limited free time.
1. Heart disease
Dog heart disease is commonly associated with obesity and old age. When dogs develop heart disease, they mainly show symptoms such as easy fatigue and difficult and rapid breathing. Dog heart disease is difficult to detect and often goes unnoticed until the dog is seriously ill.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are prone to these two infectious diseases. Once infected, dogs may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, decreased appetite, increased body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney disease
When it comes to common illnesses and symptoms in dogs, we cannot ignore kidney disease. The terrifying aspect of kidney disease in dogs is that it often develops unnoticed, and by the time the owner realizes it, the dog's kidney cells have been damaged by more than 75%. When a dog's kidneys have problems, the usual symptoms are bloody urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal worms such as roundworms and hookworms, as well as heartworm, are common parasites that infect dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms include emaciation, lethargy, diarrhea, the presence of worms in stools, and pale gums. Heartworm, on the other hand, is a parasite that lives in a dog's heart. Dogs infected with heartworm may show symptoms such as decreased vitality, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and ascites.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory tract, bacterial infections, canine distemper, viral colds, lung damage, or heartworm infections. Coughing, nasal discharge, and increased body temperature are the main symptoms of dog pneumonia.
When a Husky is just born, it consumes breast milk. After weaning, it should be fed less and more frequently. In the early stages of weaning, it should be fed more than 4 times a day. At around 6 months old, it should be fed 3 times a day. As it grows older, it can gradually reduce to 2 feedings per day. The amount of food for each feeding should be controlled. Try not to feed the puppy human food, as it can cause an imbalance in nutrient absorption and affect its development.
There are two ways to feed a Husky: one is with pure dog food, and the other is with self-made dog food. It is recommended to use full-price puppy food because it provides comprehensive nutrition, is less likely to cause tooth decay or tartar, and can prevent bad breath in pets. Self-made dog food can be harmful to dogs and the cost is not lower than that of full-price dog food.
Husky must-have calcium supplements and nutritional creams are widely accepted by many owners. The former helps the dog establish a sound bone structure and reduces the risk of injuries as it grows up, while the latter helps regulate the puppy's digestive system and improve its appetite.
In sled dog races, Huskies compete for speed rather than strength, so the main focus of physical training is on speed. It is necessary to do several sessions of fast running and slow running every day. Stretching the forelimbs and hindlimbs as much as possible during the entire exercise process will greatly help the development of the Husky's physique. It is best to exercise more than 3 times a day, with each session lasting 20-30 minutes.
1. Cannot bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it should not be done too frequently. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, you can bathe the dog more often, while in winter, you can reduce it a little. However, the total should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Regular grooming
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. To ensure good hair growth, regular grooming is an important step. Pet owners can use pet-specific combs to help dogs clean their naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brushing the dog's fur once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathing
Sunbathing benefits the growth of a dog's coat. Besides making the fur more lustrous, allowing the dog to sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, pet owners can let the dog exercise a little, which can help improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and facilitate the growth of healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of nutrition. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to do internal and external deworming together. Moreover, deworming medicine can cause significant damage to the dog's gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is advisable to feed the dog with probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order to have a beautiful coat, dogs must have a good nutritional foundation, so pay attention to daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a dog food that is suitable for the dog and is nutritionally adequate to meet the dog's needs. On the other hand, you can also feed the dog with lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil in moderation.
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