The average age of how long dogs live at home. The ideal sled dog - husky: characteristics of the breed and its description, why they howl

Date of: 10.04.2019

July 26, 2016

Huskies are by nature very friendly and loving dogs. Most of them also have expressive blue eyes, before the charming look of which is very difficult to resist. Breeding puppies of this breed and keeping them in an apartment is gaining popularity, and new owners are increasingly asking questions. How to care for a dog? What to feed? How long do huskies live and how to make sure that the pet stays around for as long as possible? In this article, we will talk about these and other pressing problems of husky owners.

Origin and features of the breed

The Siberian Husky is considered to be a sled dog native to the Far North. They were bred from wolves by one of the indigenous Siberian peoples - the Chukchi. Due to the weather conditions of the original habitat, huskies endure the harsh weather conditions of the north. This is facilitated by a thick layer of wool that protects from frost. The most common are black, gray, black and white, red, light red, fawn and white huskies.

They are very hardy, smart and easy to train. Their original purpose is the transportation of medium-sized cargo over long distances at low speed. As for appearance, we can say about a husky dog that it is an animal of medium height, of various colors, with ears sticking up and a fox tail.

Huskies easily adapt to life in apartment buildings and feel great even in cramped apartments. The main catch is that dogs of this breed are very active and require frequent walks and physical activity. Therefore, if you are not able to devote about two hours a day to active runs for your pet, it is better to abandon the idea of having a puppy of this breed.

Animals love to play with other dogs and run next to the owner in a spacious open area, and how long the huskies live directly depends on the joint activity of the owner and the pet. They are distinguished by their desire to know everything unknown and explore as much terrain as possible, so you need to walk them on a long leash. Having let the dog go free-range, you can lose sight of it for a long time or not wait at all.

An unpleasant moment when keeping in an apartment is molting. Huskies shed twice a year for 3 weeks, during which the dog completely sheds its undercoat. In the rest of the period, the pet will not cause trouble.

Husky life span

How long do huskies live at home? The prevailing stereotype suggests that dogs of this breed in an apartment rarely live up to 15 years. In fact, Huskies are considered long-lived in the dog world. They can reach 20 years of age.
Undoubtedly big influence life expectancy has a dog owner, his attitude, living conditions, nutrition and quality of physical activity. Huskies, provided with constant outdoor training, proper nutrition and the necessary vaccinations, live much longer than those who are forced into a reclusive lifestyle.

Proper nutrition for a husky

Feeding a husky is a very responsible task, because the pet's stomach is weak and is disposed to protein-fat food. How long Huskies live depends entirely on what they eat. Meat must be present in the diet, ideally it is beef - raw or scalded with boiling water. You can also give your dog turkey, chicken, rabbit or horse meat. The meat of these species will be able to provide the pet with the necessary amount of protein. It is necessary to give meat in small pieces, as digestive system adapted for the digestion of lumpy meat.

Porridge should also be present in the diet. It is necessary to cook porridge for a puppy from buckwheat, rice or millet. When used by a dog, the food should not be hot, only slightly warm. Occasionally you can give dairy products- cottage cheese, kefir, natural yogurt. It is necessary to provide the pet with vitamins for normal mental and physical development. Dry food is allowed, but it must be selected carefully, taking into account individual characteristics dog's body.

The subtleties of education

It is necessary to raise a husky puppy from the age of three months, gradually accustoming to constant training and training, how long husky live depends on it. From birth, emphasis should be placed on establishing a strong relationship between the owner and the puppy, the baby should feel a benevolent attitude, strength and security in the face of the owner. However, if the attitude towards the puppy is too soft, he will feel free and begin to show his character, not obeying commands.

A husky puppy can behave very emotionally, rush at the owner, lick his face. You should teach the baby to behave more restrainedly, since an adult dog with such behavior can scratch a person severely. Animals of this breed are very clean. However, during active walks, the dog can get into a dirty puddle, light and white huskies are especially capable of getting dirty.

The Siberian Husky is a dog with a unique, beautiful appearance that is the dream of many dog lovers. However, people do not always take into account the characteristics of this breed, making such a four-legged friend. Handsome, charming, not malicious, but ... He will not be a guard or a hunter, and his activity requires special approach. What should future owners know about husky?

According to research data, Siberian huskies are among the fifteen most ancient dog breeds, whose genes are as close as possible to the genotype of wild wolves. These sled dogs were once bred by aboriginal tribes of the Far North.

They began to be used by Russian explorers and fur hunters, hiring local hunters and dog teams. During the Gold Rush, hardy huskies became of interest to the population of North America. Then they began to be taken out of the territory of the Russian Far East.

In the early 20th century, the breed was actively bred in Alaska for racing. But on the territory of Siberia, sled dogs were considered unpromising and removed from the breed register. Siberian Huskies received official recognition in the United States, and the first standard qualities were created and approved here.

Description of the Siberian Husky breed

Representatives of the breed are very harmoniously built, they have developed muscles and are distinguished by high endurance. Growth dogs at the withers can reach 60 cm, and males are larger in size. Weight yat husky from 16 to 27 kg.

The standard defines the following external data:

Head medium size, in proportion to the body, tapering from the occipital region to the eyes. The muzzle is approximately the same length as the skull, ending in a large lobe. The color of the earlobe depends on the color of the coat. The standard allows veins pink shade- such a nose is called snowy.
A dog of this breed has almond-shaped, elongated eyes with brown or blue iris. Ears small, triangular in shape, set close together.
Lips well fitting, teeth large, white, jaw with a scissor bite.
Rib cage medium width, but differs in strength and depth. Tail it looks like a fox, when the dog is calm, it hangs down, but when the dog shows interest, has fun, it arches in the form of a sickle. However, he should not fall sideways or lie on his back.
Wool medium, hair straight, soft, with a dense undercoat. During periods of shedding, the undercoat may be absent.

All of the above are standard characteristics and most of them are visible in puppies from the very beginning. early age. Therefore, choosing a good husky is not difficult if you know what to look for.

Husky colors

Despite the fact that certain colors of dogs are most often found, in fact there are about two dozen of them:

With white coat - the rarest, but the most desirable color, as such puppies are rarely found in the litter. Usually they belong to the show class or racing families. These dogs have not only white coat, but also the same undercoat.
Grey-White - A common type with a gray coat and a fawn or cream undercoat.
Silver-white dogs - the standard allows only cold tones of the undercoat - silver or white.
Chocolate (copper) wool - should not be confused with red, as in this case it differs in depth and saturation.
The red suit is somewhat lighter than copper, the pigmentation is brown.
Fawn color - coat of pastel colors without redness - from fawn to light cream shades.
With wolf gray - if you can’t call it rare, then it’s certainly the most spectacular, because it gives the dog a certain resemblance to wild ancestors. The main color is warm gray tones with fawn, scorched or yellowish patches.
With sable - the rarest kind of wool with an undercoat that shimmers with copper, tan or red. The tips of the hairs are colored in gray or black tones.
Agouti - in most cases, these dogs belong to working or racing lines. The color accommodates any shades of the gray-black palette, it can be gradient - of course, within the palette. On the limbs, a redhead is allowed. The end of the tail is black. Also, representatives of the breed have a dark mask with red spots or gray, which makes the muzzle very expressive.
With piebald - spotted dogs with white hair, on which rounded spots are located - the size and color may be different. According to the standard, spots should occupy no more than a third of the entire surface.
Marble - similar to Dalmatians, as black or gray spots are scattered in a chaotic manner on their coat.
Splash coat - the main tone is white, but against its background there is always a dark or bright cloak, sometimes there is also a “hat”. In addition, pets of this suit have a light collar.
Black-backed. Unlike other suits, they have a “saddle” painted in a darker color.
With an isabella color - a rare species, it is distinguished from the white suit by the presence of a weak fawn or reddish shade of the outer hair.
Black wool - among the "Siberians" is extremely rare. The standard allows small white flecks around the muzzle, limbs and tail.
The classic is a dog with black and white hair - these two contrasting colors are usually present in a 1:1 ratio, so the undercoat can be light or dark.

The nature of the representatives of the breed

Dogs of this breed are quite friendly and friendly pets. They love the family very much, but usually they choose only one as the owner - the dog will completely obey him. If you need a guard, then the husky will not do - he is careful, but does not have the necessary for guard dog qualities. He may not understand why you need to bark at a person who has come.

If you do not engage in raising a dog, then it will be very stubborn, so you should train a puppy from the first days of its appearance in the house. Huskies rarely bark and appreciate silence. And when they are happy, you can catch a quiet rumbling.

Features of education and training

Huskies are working dogs with a well-developed sense of teamwork. If the leader had to independently determine the direction of movement, then the rest had other tasks - to run without slowing down and without losing the rhythm. The one who got out of the team was punished by the pack. This determines the nature of the behavior of dogs - they work with full dedication, evaluate the activities of others and independently look for ways out.

A pet needs strictness and consistency, otherwise a “spoiled” dog will be uncontrollable. He can pretend that he does not hear or does not understand the command, if at least once he gives slack. Huskies are able to obey, but this requires a strong river, otherwise he will gladly take on the role of the leader of the pack, and then it will not be the owner, but the dog himself, who will make decisions.

There is little that can frighten dogs of this breed, so physical impact will not give the expected result - the dog will not unquestioningly obey. Huskies are able to adopt the habits of other dogs, so a positive example can help a lot in education. But it’s not worth trying to make a service dog out of a sled dog, he will only learn to copy behavior, but without innate qualities it will be useless.

Punishment in training should be present, but not causing pain, but subordinating the pet. This may be the use of a stern voice, inflexibility. You can also act like the leader of the pack - press the head of a recalcitrant pet to the ground and hold until the dog stops resisting. This is usually enough for the dog to appreciate the advantages of the owner and accept him as a leader.

To consolidate the result, you can complicate the workout by adding long runs to exhaustion and exercising at altitude - with ups and downs. Dogs appreciate rewards - treats, praise, affection, but they should receive them only on merit.

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How to care for a Husky

Husky owner - active person who loves long walks. Otherwise, this breed is definitely not suitable and it is worth acquiring someone calmer. A sad pet can harm in a big way. In this case, shoes, furniture and other animals may suffer. Dogs of this breed shed, but this happens as standard - in spring and autumn. To rid the house of wool during this period, you need to comb your pet daily. The rest of the time, 1-2 procedures per week are enough.

If the dog is kept on the street, it can be much more comfortable here than in the house. The pet feels at ease, does not freeze and does not get bored. Do not worry if the dog sleeps in the snow more often than in a comfortable booth. It is in him that his northern blood speaks.

Huskies are very strong and resourceful. Therefore, quite often they go on independent walks. It is worth taking care that the dog does not dig or gnaw through the mesh. The chain-link for the aviary is not suitable, as it is too thin. The material must be more durable. And if the floor is earthen, then it is better to strengthen the area adjacent to the fence.

The dog is not afraid of frost, but it is better to protect your pet from rain and sun by building a canopy. It is worth noting that even an aviary dog needs regular long walks.

- a very famous breed of dog, but we know so little about it. People tend to even confuse these animals with likes. If you decide to get yourself a little puppy that will become your friend and companion, then it is quite possible that your choice will fall on the husky. Before deciding to take such a step, you should stock up on information about caring for animals and them. Like any other owner, you will be interested in the question of how many years husky dogs live. After all, you want to make a friend for many years.

How long do Siberian Huskies live?

These dogs are very beautiful, they have a wonderful character and can become part of your family, without which life will seem boring and not so interesting. Of course, you dream that your pet's life is very long, and he enjoys every minute of his life and receives as much love from you as possible.

But there is no definite answer to how long huskies live. After all, the duration of their existence depends on the circumstances and conditions in which they are located. Average duration the life of a husky is 15 years. But they can live up to 20-25. It depends largely on whose hands the animal ends up in. Your love and attitude towards him plays leading role in the life of a pet. Of course, the attention, care, affection that he should receive from his owner also affects the duration of your baby's life. Good nutrition is also essential for your pet to enjoy life for a long time.

If Huskies live in an apartment, they need to be outdoors as much as possible. Therefore, try to walk with your pet not only in the morning and evening, but also when you have a free minute. Remember that walks under open sky- the health of your pet.

If your husky lives on the street, try not to forget about him, in every possible way reminding him of your love. Play more and have fun with it. If you do not have enough time for this, but you are in the yard doing housework, allow the dog to be near you, do not push away his affection. If your dog is in an aviary, in no case do not limit his freedom - this can lead to bad consequences.

If your heart tells you that you need to have a four-legged friend at home, don't think about anything. The dog will bring you and your children joy and happiness - just give love to the baby, and he will delight you with his presence for many more years.

Siberian Huskies are great companions for people who understand and respond to their unique needs. Their life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years, so a Husky can be an important member of your family for quite some time.

Housing

If you live in an apartment, then you should think before getting a husky. A house with a large fenced yard is more preferable for this breed, of course, if you keep an eye on your favorite lawn or garden, the dog can easily rummage them up and down.

Character

Huskies are friendly, playful, intelligent, but can get bored quickly. If you are away from home most of the day, then you might want to consider choosing a different breed, as Huskies can become destructive when they don't get enough activity. They may also howl if they feel neglected. Because they are very friendly and rarely bark, the breed is not a good watchdog.

Suitable climate

Siberian Huskies do well in cold climates, but they can be uncomfortable or even dangerous in hot regions. On particularly hot days, you should provide your dog with plenty of shade outside and efficient air conditioning inside. During summer months you may need to walk either early in the morning or late in the evening.

Exercises

Siberian Huskies have tons of energy, need daily exercise and can become pleasant training friends. If you don't have a large yard for your dog to exercise, he will need daily walks and jogs.

Garden preparation

Before you get a Husky, you should carefully check the yard for a possible escape, as the breed loves to roam and explore the area. In the garden, you must provide a fence at least 2 meters high.

Possible escape

Never leave your husky unleashed in the park or for a walk because he is more likely to run away. This does not mean that it is naughty or does not like you, the breed just loves to roam and explore the area. If you already own a Husky, have it microchipped with the help of a veterinarian you know and make sure it is always tagged with your name and contact information.

Moult

Due to their thick coat, Siberian Huskies shed a lot, especially in warm weather. climatic conditions and with the change of seasons. Twice a year for about a week they shed very heavily. Schedule regular vacuuming during this time and brush your dog daily.

Leadership

Siberian khakis by their very nature need a leader. You must be the leader, otherwise the dog will take over this role. Obedience training will help you establish the necessary hierarchy in your relationships. If you cannot provide consistent and unquestioning leadership, then the breed is probably not for you.

Other pets

Huskies have strong hunting instincts, so small pets such as cats, birds, rabbits, or ferrets are more likely to be unsafe in a home with a dog. The breed gets along well with other dogs.

Appetite

With so much energy, like a husky, you might think that they really eat a lot. In fact, you will be surprised at how little food they need.

The Siberian Husky is a northern sled dog, of medium height, with erect ears and a fox tail. body proportions and appearance reflect the basic balance of strength, speed and endurance. These dogs are designed to carry light loads at medium speed over long distances. Their eyes often meet blue color. Feature Husky is a thick, odorless coat. Good natural immunity protects huskies from infectious diseases. The character is cheerful, energetic, balanced.

According to legend, this breed was bred by the Chukchi tribes more than four thousand years ago. But for the first time the breed standard was registered in 1932 in the USA. Today the Husky is one of the most popular breeds in Canada, USA, Italy and Japan. In Russia, the popularity of the husky is growing every year. In Belarus, the first breeders of this breed of dogs appeared only a few years ago, and so far huskies are a rarity.

Husky benefits for families with children

Security. Huskies are the most friendly of all dog breeds. Historically, aggressive dogs in the conditions of the far north were ruthlessly destroyed.

Tactile sensations. The coat is short and very thick, it has no smell. Feels like a fox to the touch. Easy to comb out during shedding.

Soul contact. Huskies are responsive to affection and generous in showing their good disposition. They do not require service training, with the right approach, they are easy to train. Unobtrusive, but love to be the center of attention.

Benefits of a Husky for the Very Busy

The uniqueness of the husky is that you can entrust the care of it to a “nanny” and the dog will not worry about it.

He will not die of grief during your business trips. This does not mean that she does not care: she will love and wait for you, and calmly and indifferently allow others to take care of herself without any strikes.

Benefits for practical and energetic

Huskies feel great both in the aviary and in the apartment.

They don't need to be taught to sled or ski. They do it with great pleasure.

From their soft undercoat, healing knitted things are obtained, which have no equal in their warmth. They shed twice a year. Pretty quickly all the old hair comes off them (it is necessary to comb out), and they go “bald” with short fresh hair. Americans call this "coat blowing". The rest of the time, the wool does not shed from them.

General form

The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working dog, quick and light on its feet and free and graceful in movement. Its comparatively compact and well-dressed body, erect ears and evenly feathered tail indicate a northern origin. His characteristic gait is even and seems effortless. It perfectly fulfills its original function in the harness, transporting a small load at medium speed over long distances. His body proportions and constitution reflect this basic balance of strength, speed and endurance.

Siberian Husky males are larger and stronger than females, but never of coarse constitution, females are lighter and more slender, but without weakness in structure. When properly maintained, Siberian Huskies are strong and well-muscled and never overweight. The main features of the Siberian Husky breed are medium size, not heavy bones, general harmony of exterior and constitution, lightness and freedom of movement, appropriate coat, proportional head and ears, pleasant expression of the muzzle, correct tail position and calm, affectionate behavior. heavy boned and big weight, tied or clumsy gait, or long, wiry coat will deduct points. The Siberian Husky never appears as heavy and rough as a hauling animal, but it is not as light and fragile as a sprinter. Both males and females of the Siberian Husky are dogs that can withstand a lot of stress. In addition to the disadvantages already mentioned, the Siberian Husky does not want to have structural defects common to other breeds, although they are not specifically stated.

Wool

The coat of the Siberian Husky is double, of medium length, giving the impression of being well furred, but it is never too long to obscure the clear line of the dog's body. The undercoat is soft and dense and of sufficient length to support the awn. The dressing hairs of the awn are straight and somewhat smooth, never coarse or erect. It should be noted that the absence of undercoat during shedding is the norm. Trimming is permitted on the cheekbones and between the toes and around the paws for a neater appearance. Trimming hair on any other part of the dog is unforgivable and should be severely penalized.

Temperament

Characteristic features of the temperament of the Siberian Husky are friendliness and affection, but also sensitivity and sociability. He does not possess the qualities of a guard dog, nor is he overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive towards other dogs. At adult dog there is a certain degree of restraint and self-esteem. His mind, obedience and willingness to help make him a good companion and hardworking assistant.

History of the Siberian Husky

The term "husky" originally referred to the Eskimos themselves, as they were called by employees of the Hudson Bay Company. The term "husky" comes from the distorted "eski", as the Eskimos were called in the jargon. Eskimo Husky, or Canadian Laika (51-69 cm at the withers), has a historical homeland of Greenland. With it, polar bears are often hunted.

"Husky" refers to all sled dogs, these are dogs with thick hair, a sharp muzzle with erect ears and a curved tail. When the first representatives of this breed arrived in North America, to distinguish them from the Eskimo Huskies, they began to be called Siberian Huskies, and this name was preserved for them. "Husky", translated from English, means "hoarse". The dog does not bark, but growls. For these sound modulations, the Siberian Husky breed got its name.

It is believed that the Siberian Husky was bred by the Chukchi living in North-Eastern Siberia. Long story connects the Siberian Husky with this people, it dates back perhaps three thousand years or more and is an important moment in the survival of this breed and its introduction into the culture of the Chukchi. It is difficult to find any written evidence as these people did not record their history, but their way of life remained unchanged for centuries because they were not ready to accept changes and preferred to follow traditions.

Their way of life was of two types. People living in the depths of the continent kept reindeer, and dogs lived in their settlements, but these were not at all the dogs that accompanied people living on the coast of the Arctic and the Pacific Ocean, that is, in those areas that were not subjected to Russian influence until beginning of the 20th century. The latter were the Chukchi who bred their breed of sled dogs. The Chukchi were not nomads, they were a settled people who lived permanently along the Arctic coast. Here they endured a series of wars between the Russians and the Eskimos for possession of the Bering Strait. Forced into increasingly deteriorating hunting grounds, the Chukchi were forced to breed dogs that could, with minimal food requirements, travel long distances across the ice-covered sea to the Chukchi hunting grounds, and then return back to their villages. In this way, they were able to breed the dog breed known today. The Chukchi were a very independent people. the Russian Empire constantly tried to annex the lands of the Chukchi; these attempts continued until the middle of the 18th century. These people survived thanks to their tenacity and independence, as well as with the help of their dogs, and in 1837 a treaty was signed giving the Chukchi political and cultural independence from Russia.

Their isolation became the basis for the purity of the breed of dogs and the maintenance of the immutability of their culture until the middle of the 19th century. It is interesting to note that the small size of the dogs was made up for by their big amount in harness; mushers often borrowed dogs from other villages when they went on long journeys to get a team of 16 or 18 dogs. We can observe a lot of similarities between Chukchi dogs and modern Siberian Huskies. Their speed, endurance, ability to cover long distances with minimal energy expenditure - all this has been preserved in modern dogs. It should be added that husky males are very restrained and full of dignity, and bitches are affectionate and smart. Huskies often slept in the snow houses of the Chukchi, where they warmed their children with their warmth, which distinguished them from dogs of other peoples of the Arctic. Therefore, modern huskies equally love the warmth and comfort of the house, racing and playing on the street.