Dog Breed: Siberian Husky Parenting – A Comprehensive Guide

The Siberian Husky is a very original Nordic dog breed from the United States of America as an active sled dog, the Siberian Husky is a real workhorse and has high demands on its owner. In the FCI standard, the Siberian Husky can be found in FCI group 5 Spitz and archetypal dogs, Section 1 Nordic sled dogs. Without work test. With the standard number 270. It is still used as a sled dog in sled dog races but is also a very popular family dog for sporty people.

Siberian Husky Dog Breed Information

Size: 51-60cm
Weight: 16-27kg
FCI group: 5: Spitz and archetypal dogs
Section: 1: Nordic Sled Dogs
Country of origin: United States
Colors: black, red, silver, grey, brown, white, black and white, black and brown, copper, agouti, sable
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Suitable as: Companion and family dog
Sports: sled dog racing
Personality: Gentle, Intelligent, Outgoing, Attentive, Friendly
Leaving requirements: high
Drooling potential: medium
The thickness of hair: medium
Maintenance effort: rather high
Coat structure: medium-length, fur-like top coat and soft and dense undercoat
Child friendly: yes
Family dog: yes
Social: yes

The husky is an ideal family dog.

Due to his friendly, funny nature, he also adapts well to lively families.

A husky feels part of its pack – or family.

Most huskies love children very much and are very relaxed with the little ones. As with all dog breeds, this does not apply to every husky.

The Siberian Husky is incredibly loyal to all family members.

But he is also usually friendly to strangers and often sniffs with interest instead of barking violently at the intruder. Huskies are always looking for friends, and that could include a burglar.

Anyone who chooses a husky should be aware that these dogs need a lot of exercise in the great outdoors. The Husky is not a dog suited to couch potatoes. He likes to walk and run, several hours a day and in the great outdoors. An underemployed husky becomes bored and seeks imaginative ways to keep himself occupied. This could mean the end for furnishings, shoes, or well-tended garden beds.

Due to the originality of the breed, the husky shows a very genuine behavior that is still very similar to that of the wolf today. For example, huskies usually do not bark, but howl, sing and talk to communicate with other dogs or humans.

The husky is a consistently friendly, gentle and mostly obedient dog in character. Due to the use on the sledge, it was necessary for the dogs not only to obey one driver well.

Therefore, care was taken in breeding to ensure that the parent animals have these characteristics. His intelligence, tractability and eagerness to learn make the husky an extremely pleasant partner.

However, Siberian huskies are also considered to be stubborn and sometimes tend towards pronounced dominance behavior. However, consistent training, which builds on the husky’s willingness to work, can be used to steer this behavior in the desired direction.

Huskies love to run. They tend to run rather than adapt to their humans at a moderate pace. They were bred primarily for pulling sleds and dog racing, and they just have that tendency to run in their genes.

Huskies are considered difficult to train, freedom-loving and dominant. On the other hand, these dogs are also considered to be very social. Like all other dog breeds, huskies need loving and consistent upbringing and sufficient exercise.

Then these dogs are willing companions who orientate themselves towards their people. Dominant behavior can be steered in the right direction by being consistent.

Many huskies do not walk well off a leash; a high number of dogs that were unfortunately run over proves this. With tow leash training, even huskies who walk poorly without a leash can satisfy their urge for freedom. With a lot of patience and consistent training, many huskies sooner or later learn to orientate themselves in traffic without a leash.

Due to its gentle nature and innate friendliness, the husky is also suitable as a therapy dog.

Of course, the individual character is also important here. Many huskies are also used in rescue services. Due to their innate willingness to work, huskies provide valuable services here.

Apart from the fact that bitches are a bit smaller, there are usually no differences in willingness to learn and docility between males and females.

However, bitches in heat can be a bit more difficult, while an un-neutered male will try to visit nearby bitches in heat.

There are owners who claim their husky lady is a bitchy diva. However, these statements are more likely to be based on the character of the dog than on its gender.

Origin and breed history

The Siberian Husky can look back on a long history, all representatives of the sled dogs belong to the original dog types, as well as all sitting breeds and relatives of the spitz. They are working animals that still carry a lot of originality and therefore have very special requirements for their owners. The dogs used to live very closely with the people in the Arctic Circle. They pulled people’s sleighs to travel between places and go hunting. In addition to being draft animals, the sled dogs of that time took on many other tasks, such as accompanying hunters on hunts and warning of dangers such as polar bears. On cold nights, it was also allowed to sleep in people’s tent camps and dwellings, since it served as a source of warmth.

At that time, sled dogs were bred purely for their function and no distinction was made between different breeds. Later, breeds like the Malamute and the Nordic Sled Dog were separated from each other. The Siberian Husky is one of the youngest sled dog breeds. He first appeared in a sled dog race in 1910. At that time all sled dogs were of a very strong stature and a muscular but stocky build. All the more impressive was the Siberian fur trader, who competed in the race with slim, long-legged dogs. He called these dogs “Husky”, which was then a swear word for Eskimos. The fur trader was only ridiculed by the competition at the race, but against all expectations, his dogs won the race and were able to claim all victories in the following races as well. At that time, experts like the Norwegian Leonard Seppala first became aware of the new sled dogs and started a breeding program. Success was quick, and the huskies rose to prominence as reliable and unstoppable sled dogs during the polar winter of 1925. Because at that time there was an outbreak of diphtheria in the city of Nome, which was cut off from other places by heavy snow. The rescue means for the people from the city had to be transported over 1000 kilometers of snow, courageous mushers and the breeder Seppala set off with a team of husky sleds and were able to save the people.

Most sled dogs before the husky appeared were bred for endurance and long distances, while the husky, on the other hand, was ideal for short distances and excelled in speed. Especially mushers, who only see sledding in the form of races and as a leisure activity, the new slim sled dogs became more and more interesting.

Breeding progressed quickly and in 1932 the standard for the husky was set. However, breeding continued in the USA, around 1970 two different lines were bred from the Husky, the Showdog line of the Siberian Husky, and the Working Siberian Husky. Today, the show line is mainly represented as a family dog ​​and companion.

Is the Siberian Husky suitable as a family dog?

If it is a very sporty family that is willing to actively work with the dog every day and likes to spend their vacations with outdoor activities, the Siberian Husky can also be a good family dog.

Nature & Temperament of the Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is a very demanding and highly specialized working dog. Endurance running and especially pulling a weight like a sled is in the blood of the animals and all representatives of this breed want to work and also need physical exertion to live healthy and happy lives. It is best for every owner of a Siberian Husky to practice sledding in the winter and another supporting dog sport in the summer in order to keep the animal busy. By nature, the Siberian Husky is a very original dog that observes its surroundings well and then makes decisions. He is very independent and grows up quickly. As an adult dog, he is very serious and can tend to be alert.

Most Siberian Huskies enjoy the company of their own kind, although they form a tight pack and may view other dogs outside the pack as a threat. Why early and thorough socialization is important for the animals. They also have a lot of energy, which must be released through excursions and sufficient activity, otherwise, the Siberian Husky will quickly cause problems. Many huskies also have a strong hunting instinct, which only makes free running possible with very good training. The animals are very friendly towards people and often affectionate and cuddly.

How much exercise does a Siberian Husky need?

A Siberian Husky needs a lot of exercises, the dogs are born for physical work. It is imperative that a husky goes running for several hours a day with his family and, ideally, does some form of draft sport on a regular basis. As an owner, you should have at least 3 to 5 hours a day for your husky and work a lot with the dog during this time.

Husky Training

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Husky training tips

Training a husky is not an easy task, as this dog is considered to be headstrong and spirited, with a strong hunting instinct.

As a rule, the earlier you start training, the easier it is for a husky to follow commands.

It is best if training begins as a puppy, as omissions or incorrect training in adult dogs are difficult to rectify.

In order for dog training to be successful, you must be willing to spend enough time, patience and energy training your husky.

Respect the hunting instinct

This dog breed’s hunting instinct is difficult to control.

Especially when a Siberian Husky has scented prey, nothing can stop him.

The dog usually no longer responds to calls. In order to change this behavior pattern, systematic training is necessary as part of an upbringing.

Motivate the Siberian Husky

The task of the husky owner is to find out how he can best motivate his dog. Whether it’s a treat, praise, stroking or your favorite dog toy – the husky needs to understand that it’s worth following his master’s commands.

It is important that the reward comes immediately after the desired behavior. Finally, the dog has to remember what it is being rewarded for in order to show the desired behavior again in a similar situation.

All family members must go along

A very important point in dog training is the involvement of all family members. There should be agreement about what the dog is allowed to do and what not, and the training must be constant.

The basic training may only be taken over by a single person so that the dog does not get unnecessarily confused.

Husky training tips

The Husky loves his independence and the great outdoors. His training can therefore be a little more difficult than with other dog breeds.

The following training tips can offer the Siberian Husky owner a good guide:

Basic education should be the sole responsibility of the caregiver.
Use voice and body language as a parenting tool.
Consequence: This is one of the most important conditions for a successful upbringing.
Bring a lot of patience: Learning the basic commands requires a lot of practice and time. The caregiver must be willing to bring it up.
Practice: As a rule, dogs need a lot of repetitions so that they can consolidate what they have learned. Up to 200 exercises per command may be required for the husky to internalize and follow a command. In order not to overwhelm the dog, it is advisable to start with short training sessions and only increase them slowly.
Varied and interesting training: A boring program and training that always runs the same way is not only a real impertinence for us humans.
Understanding the husky / the right communication: The husky is able to interpret the expression of the facial expressions, the volume of the voice, the movements and the intonation of its owner and to draw conclusions about how he is disposed towards him at the moment. In the training phase, it is therefore very important to always give a certain command in the same tone of voice and to remain calm if there are no concrete training successes at first. The reference person must not only give the dog security and trust, but also be able to correctly interpret the signals of their husky. These include: the position of the ears, position of the tail, hair on the back, barking or growling.
Learning environment: The successful training of the commands requires an optimal learning environment, which makes patient practice possible and important situations can be simulated. Dog schools offer an optimal learning environment for training a dog.

After the puppy purchase

After purchasing a husky puppy and already with the husky breeder, the period of socialization and training of the dog begins. The socialization phase begins in the eighth week of life and lasts about four to six weeks.

During this time, the dog can learn through play. The danger here is that he may just as well acquire negative behavior patterns now that he will find very difficult, if ever, to break later.

After being separated from its mother and littermates, the puppy first has to get used to its owner. The first time away from his usual environment is a psychological burden for the little dog.

In order for the new bond to work well, you must make an effort to gain the puppy’s trust. Therefore, a lot of tact is required at first.

You should neither do too much nor too little with the puppy, neither overwhelm him nor neglect him. Walks through the big city, visits to the fair or other stress-promoting activities are now a thing of the past.

Some basic rules for pup care

The puppy needs to get used to its new home. He needs a certain amount of time to get a taste of his new surroundings and to find his way around in the still unfamiliar world.
The first walks with the puppy should take place in the great outdoors: in the forest, on meadows or country lanes.
Slowly lead the puppy to streets with little traffic.
At the age of eight weeks, the young animal can attend a puppy play group and learn important behavioral principles there.
Also get the puppy used to strangers by letting them pet and feed the puppy.
Get the puppy used to the leash. This gives the puppy security and offers him support in stressful situations.

Increase the load slowly

Only after the puppy has gotten used to its new environment can you slowly increase the load.

If he behaves anxiously, no stroking should be used to calm him down.

These are seen as a reward and can encourage possible “misconduct” on the part of the puppy.

How does my puppy become housebroken?

Puppies usually have to go about their business after eating, drinking or sleeping.

From their point of view, the soft living room carpet is ideal for this. Therefore, you should anticipate the puppy and take him out every two hours at first. It is better to roll up carpets and stow them away safely for starters.

Once the puppy starts spinning and sniffing, quickly pick him up and carry him outside to do his business.

The puppy will not be able to hold out at night. One option is to sleep near the puppy and set an alarm to forestall the dog.

The alternative is to let him sleep in a crate. Since dogs don’t usually want to mess up their sleeping areas, the pup will make themselves known if it has to.

If the puppy does urinate indoors at first, it is wrong to punish him for it. In general, the dog should be able to associate praise and punishment directly with the action. If his action was a while ago, he would not understand the meaning of the punishment. If you catch the puppy relieving itself in the house, you can say “ugh” or something similar and then take it outside.

On the other hand, you should never hit him or press your nose into his legacies. Wipe the mishap away without comment.

Set limits

The sooner you show your husky the limits, the easier it will be for him to learn them.

An anti-authoritarian upbringing is absolutely out of place for a dog. In the first year it is important to be in control of the young dog at all times. If trained without limits, the dog can develop into a tyrant and take over the leadership.

Setting limits does not mean constantly restricting or punishing the dog, but rather reacting correctly at the right moment.

Reprimands and punishments that the dog does not understand can unsettle him and negatively affect the relationship with his master.

Training a husky involves teaching the dog some basic commands. This includes:

Sit: If you hold a treat over your dog’s head, the dog will usually sit down to get a better lookup. As soon as this happens, the command “sit” is spoken and the dog is given the treat. It is also important to cancel the command again. The command “run” is used for this as soon as the dog stands up again.
Down: Once the dog has sat down after the “sit” command, you should take his forelegs and pull them gently toward you. Here the command “place” should be pronounced. As soon as the dog is in the right place, he gets a reward.
Heel: An important command as there may be situations (such as narrow paths or large crowds) in which the dog should not leave its owner’s side. Let the leash slack and hold a treat in your left hand. Then just start running and if the dog follows, give him the treat little by little.
Off: With the command, the dog must release the object it is carrying in its mouth. The command should be said aloud while pulling a slipper out of the puppy’s mouth, for example. The dog must learn to open its mouth without biting. Teaching a husky to “off” is no easy task. Hunting dogs in particular do not like having to release their “prey” again.
No: It is very important that a puppy learns what this command means. The easiest way is to incorporate the “no” while practicing other commands.

Leave Husky alone

As a pack animal, the Husky will develop a very close bond with its owner, whom it will consider a member of its pack. Therefore, huskies must never be locked up alone in the garden, in a room or even a kennel for long periods of time!

Nevertheless, there are of course situations in which the husky simply has to stay alone. For working people or if you just want to meet friends, a doctor’s visit is pending or you want to go to the cinema.

Of course, you can’t leave a puppy alone for a very long time. He had to leave his usual environment at the breeder, including the mother bitch and his littermates. Some puppies don’t take this very well at first. First of all, your four-legged friend should get used to it and trust you. You are his new pack now.

Nevertheless, you can make it clear to him right from the start that you are not available 24 hours a day. In this way, certain areas of the apartment or house can be made inaccessible. Maybe the husky shouldn’t be in the kitchen or he just shouldn’t go in the bathroom. In this way, he quickly learns that you disappear briefly every now and then, but of course you always come back.

Puppies have a habit of following their human’s every step. Nevertheless, lock and close the door when you leave a room and prevent the little guy from running after you. The room is initially only closed for a few moments and the time window is only gradually widened.

If the husky puppy expresses his displeasure out loud, wait for him to calm down a bit. Only then do you step back into the room. Otherwise he’ll learn that it’s worth whining and really making a fuss about. Because then you’ll come back quickly.

Finally, if your husky remains calm when you are not in the same room with him, you can move on to the next step: leave the house. The farewell and welcome should be short and sweet. Don’t make an exaggerated fuss about it. After all, the dog should notice that it’s completely normal if his human walks every now and then.

However, don’t make the mistake of just standing outside on the street or in the hallway. Your four-legged friend is very smart and will know that you are still very close.

Are you curious about what your husky does in your absence and whether he stays calm? A pet camera or a simple webcam can help you with this. At the same time, this has the advantage that you can go back home when your dog has laid down or otherwise seems relaxed. So a good time to come home.

Here, too, the absence intervals should be gradually extended again. Each dog should be able to stay alone for about 5 hours later. If it becomes permanently longer (8-9 hours or even more), you should think about looking after the dog outside of your home.

Small tips and tricks:

With barriers (baby gate) you can create taboo zones in the house. For example, many do not want the dog to be in the children’s room or the kitchen.
A transport box that the husky knows and feels comfortable in can be set up in the home as a retreat. A blanket with a familiar smell can reduce separation stress.
Take care of the dog before you leave the house. A husky who has just been out for a walk or has otherwise exercised or tensed his brain is more likely to settle down to doze off.
Give your four-legged friend a chew or food toy when you go away. So he’s busy at least for a while. However, only give toys that you are sure are sturdy and harmless.
What’s better than a husky? Two of course! Multi-dog owners have the advantage that their dogs cope better when their people are not around. You have four-legged company and someone from the pack is present. Nevertheless, keeping one or even more huskies should not be a license to be out of the house all day. The dogs want to be occupied, need attention and of course have to let go.

How does the husky learn its new name?

Buyers do not always like the name that the husky puppy got from the breeder. Don’t worry. Renaming is easy and the puppy will get used to the new sound in no time.

If you are already sure about the choice of name, you can ask the breeder, for example, long before the little husky is handed over, to address the puppy with the changed name from now on. So there is no major adjustment in the new home and the puppy will quickly notice when he is spoken to.

If you find it difficult to baptize your dog and need more time, you don’t have to worry too much. A low-distraction environment, a few kind words, and tasty bites, and you’re good to go with name training.

Call the puppy by its name as often as possible. Best of all, in situations that are comfortable for him. For example, if you put the filled bowl in front of him, say “Milo, here’s food.” or something similar. Even if you want to play with him or go outside, you can call him by name. However, don’t use his name if he’s done something wrong and you want to reprimand him. Especially at the beginning, the little husky should not associate anything negative with the sound.

You can also carry out the name training again and again throughout the day. Armed with a few treats in your pocket, you can call your puppy in between. If he looks at you, a reward will follow immediately. The husky realizes that the sound of the name is worth paying attention to and looking at you. And that’s exactly what you want. The name call should always draw the dog’s full attention to you. This is very important when training. If you call your four-legged friend and he gives you the necessary attention, a command such as “come” or “sit” will follow.

If calling works well in a low-stimulus environment, you should slowly practice outside and in busier areas. Take treats that are particularly tasty and that are not otherwise available. In this way you remain interesting and the attraction of paying attention to yourself is great.

Avoid repeating the name if your puppy doesn’t respond. Better try again later.

Attend dog school

A dog school is so important for the husky or the puppy because there dog and owner learn to deal with each other properly.

As part of its training, the dog also learns the various commands there, while its owner learns at the same time how to give the commands correctly.

Pulling, tugging, barking – leash aggression in the husky

Do you get stomach ache when you think about the next walk with your husky? Because your dog likes to lie in wait when other conspecifics come? Does he throw himself on the leash, bare his teeth and bark because another dog-keeper-cracked appears on the horizon?

Maybe you only go out with the dog at dawn or after sunset so that you don’t meet anyone else?

Instead of taking detours and short cuts, you should rather get to the bottom of the problem. Why Does Your Husky Show Leash Aggression?

Reasons for this can be:

Territorial behavior when the dog exhibits this behavior predominantly near home.
Bitch in heat. Your husky is aggressive towards rivals or your bitch bitchy with other dogs.
Inadequate socialization. The four-legged friend cannot communicate properly with other dogs. Maybe because he grew up isolated or didn’t have enough social contacts. The hierarchy in the pack is not completely clear and the Husky may feel he has to protect you.
Your four-legged friend doesn’t trust you and is insecure. He believes that you cannot handle situations. Maybe he didn’t get any support from you in the past and always had to assert himself when encountering dogs.
There was an incident with another conspecific. Your husky may have been bitten or bullied.
Pain often leads to unusual behavior. If your dog has never been leash-aggressive, an illness could be behind it.
However, the Husky could also just be frustrated because he cannot communicate with his counterpart in the way he would like. The short leash and the distance limit him.

Tips against leash aggression

Visit to the vet! Have it checked to see if there is an underlying condition that is causing your dog pain. An undetected condition can be the cause of aggressive behavior.
Use a harness. A collar chokes your four-legged friend when he throws himself on the leash and pulls. This is uncomfortable and painful. A well-fitting harness distributes the pressure evenly and can thus ensure more comfortable walks.
Increase range of motion. Can’t unleash your dog (yet)? Then give the dog more freedom of movement by using a drag leash or at least an 8 to 10 foot leash. At the same time, the four-legged friend has more communication options with other four-legged friends. There are actually dogs that are absolutely socially acceptable when running free, but become Rambo next to their master on a short leash.
Muzzle. Are you afraid your husky might snap? Start with the muzzle training and make the walks a little more relaxed again. You take responsibility and the muzzle doesn’t have to remain a permanent condition. Only until you get the problem of leash aggression under control. So don’t pay attention to what others might say or think. A plus point for the muzzle: If you are relaxed, this is transferred to the dog.
Stay cool! If you get nervous every time you meet a dog, this will (as already mentioned) be transferred to your own four-legged friend. Dogs perceive mood swings and hormone changes and react very sensitively to them. So if you’re on the alert, your husky is too. So try to be as loose as possible, don’t hold the line tightly in your hand, but let it sag.
March off! At the slightest feeling of tension in the dog, you immediately go somewhere else. The main thing is to get away from the action. Don’t look at your four-legged friend or the situation. Go ahead with confidence and determination. The husky may be reluctant to follow you on a leash, but if you are consistent and call the shots, he will orient himself to you. You can also introduce a command for a U-turn. How about “Lets go!” or “Abmarsch”?
Avoid eye contact. To avoid meeting other dogs, you can cross the street, make a wide circle (if possible), turn onto another street or walk a little across the field/into the forest. Of course you can also hide behind a car or a wall. If your husky doesn’t see the other dog, he won’t respond to him either. So an avoidance tactic.
Make a positive connection. You can take treats with you on walks so that dog encounters can be associated with something pleasant in the future. As soon as the husky sees a four-legged friend but does not react aggressively, you hold a bite in front of his snout. True to the motto “All You Can Eat”, you keep giving treats until you’ve passed the other dog. As soon as your four-legged friend shows even the slightest trace of leash aggressiveness, the buffet stops. So instead of throwing himself on the leash, your dog should expect a treat in the future and concentrate on it.
provide distraction. Some dogs have an all-time favorite toy. yours too? Great, then conjure this up when another four-legged friend shows up near you. For example, if you have your favorite ball in your snout, you cannot bark. Treats are also a good choice as a distraction.
dog trainer. Let the pros do it! With the help of a dog school, many problems in everyday life with dogs can be solved much faster and more effectively. So if there is no improvement or even worsening leash aggression, don’t hesitate to ask a trainer for advice. He will observe you and recreate dog encounters on the training ground. In this way, he quickly recognizes the cause of the undesirable behavior and can create a training plan with you. So that you can quickly have great and stress-free walks with dog contact again.

The appearance of the Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky has a distinctive appearance reminiscent of a wolf. It is a medium-sized working dog, averaging 50-60cm in height and 20-28kg in weight. He is high-legged and very light-footed. His body is defined and muscular with no exaggerations overall. When running, the special elegance and power of the dogs is shown. You were born to pull loads.

The coat of the Siberian Husky is characterized by its dense undercoat, which offers optimal protection against the cold but also acts as a natural air conditioner in summer. In addition to the undercoat, the fur-like top coat determines the appearance of the dog. According to the FCI standard, all colors are allowed for coat colors, black and white animals and all shades of black are mostly represented. Visually, the Siberian Husky is very reminiscent of a wolf, this original appearance and the nature of the Husky fascinate many people and unfortunately many people decide to keep a Husky, even though they are not at least suitable for it.

Many know the Siberian Husky with blue eyes and blue eyes are also allowed in the breed standard, but not as the only eye color. It is a genetic defect that can even cause health problems. That is why serious breeders avoid mating animals with blue eyes.

How big is the Siberian Husky?

On average, a Siberian Husky is between 50 and 60 cm tall, this also depends on the dog’s lineage. On average, the working line is slightly larger than the show line.

Education and keeping of the Siberian Husky – This is important to note

The Siberian Husky is a very original dog that has a will of its own and is not suitable for beginners. The dogs have an enormous urge to move and need very good training in order to live as a companion and family dog. Anyone who gets a husky will have to change their whole life, because active dogs need an incredible amount of time for exercise, care and training. Especially the working line is only suitable for active people and purely the show line can be kept as a family dog ​​and companion dog.

It takes a lot of dog experience and a lot of time to train a Siberian Husky. Consistent training with a clear line and enough sporting activity can make a husky a good companion dog. He needs close contact with his owner and his family, because the Siberian Husky is a pack animal – he only feels comfortable in a group. Several dogs usually form the pack, but the task of a pack can also be taken over by the dog’s family. Although he loves joint activities, it is important to give the animal its freedom, a husky is not always responsive next to its owner. They enjoy spending time outdoors and can be kept in a kennel, although this is not recommended. Because the bond to the owner is closer with close family ties and training works better.

When training, the owner should get support from a good dog club that is familiar with the peculiarities of huskies. These include, above all, the animals’ hunting instincts, their independent nature and the need to run and pull. With enough patience, training is easy to organize and the energetic dog becomes a loyal companion and a real sporting challenge.

How do you train/educate a Siberian Husky?

With a lot of patience and understanding for the idiosyncratic nature of huskies. Good socialization and visiting a dog training ground is only advisable for every husky owner. Even with dog experience, a Siberian Husky is a real challenge. Otherwise, the training is not much different than other dogs. A consistent attitude and positive affirmation work best when training.

Nutrition of the Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is a hardy breed that is not picky about their food. Care should be taken to ensure that a Husky who is physically active is getting enough protein to list his energy reserves. BARF is very popular with many patterns, so the owner should get information from a veterinarian in advance and have the right composition for his dog determined.

The right diet for the husky!

Huskies are very physically active dogs, so they are best fed a diet that is one-third vegetables and grains and two-thirds meat.

To make digestion easier for the husky, make sure to feed your dog the meat separately from the vegetables.

Ready food takes care of your dog!

Basically, the husky does not eat any differently than other breeds: ready-made food makes sense because it provides your dog with all the necessary vitamins.

However, it is advisable to always buy the ready-made food fresh and in smaller quantities.

Which is better: dry or wet food?

When it comes to feeding the husky, opinions differ. Some clearly favor wet food, others are fans of dry food chunks. In addition, the selection in pet shops is simply overwhelming. How are you supposed to decide?
Many puppies prefer to eat what they got from the breeder. You can keep feeding this for a while and switch to adult food (possibly the same brand) later. Otherwise, you have to try out what suits the husky well and what he likes. Of course, what you ultimately decide on also depends on your budget.

If you want, you can combine both types of feeding in order to combine the advantages of both variants. The dog will be happy if he has a little variety in his bowl. However, there is still the alternative of barfing your four-legged friend.

Advantages of dry food

Is often the cheaper feed option
It has a long shelf life and can be stored well in advance
low odor
Dry food contains more energy than a comparable amount of wet food
Dogs need smaller portions to fill up
Leftovers scattered around the feeding place can be picked up quickly
Hard chunks of food help to clean the dog’s teeth (but only if the dog doesn’t swallow them whole)
Easily portionable (suitable for on the go/travelling)
Can be used as a reward for training
Environmentally friendly, as less packaging material is used than with cans, bowls or feed bags.

Disadvantages of dry food

• Little taste of its own, which is why flavor enhancers are often used
• Fluid requirement is increased after eating. This is disadvantageous for dogs who are lazy about drinking.
• Hard chunks are not suitable for all dogs, e.g. seniors
• Often contains preservatives
• The chunks of food swell up in the stomach. The dog only notices its feeling of satiety later, which is why it may eat more than necessary.
• Some varieties are high in grains and other nutrient-poor fillers
• Dog excretes a lot of faeces due to non-usable ingredients
• Inaccurate labeling of various ingredients possible.

What food for Husky?

We are always asked what food we recommend for the husky. Dogs often struggle with diarrhea, bad bowel movements, dull fur and scratching.

It is important that your husky likes the food and that he gets all the necessary nutrients. Many types of food offer a sufficient supply and keep the dog healthy. It is therefore almost impossible to list all the very good types of feed.

The food is individually tailored to Husky, based on a nutrient calculation developed by a veterinarian. It is slightly more expensive than the food from the supermarket. I love my dog, so it is important to me that he is healthy and active.

And the most important thing: Our husky had a great bowel movement and didn’t get any diarrhea. The droppings are not too soft and not too hard.

Benefits wet food

As the name suggests, it contains a lot of moisture. This is good for the husky’s fluid balance.
It often tastes better than dry food and is therefore preferred by many dogs
Older dogs and four-legged friends with tooth and gum problems can eat it without any problems because it is soft
Larger portions can certainly be eaten without damaging the husky’s figure, as it is less energetic

Disadvantages wet food

Can also lead to more defecation
Sometimes contains preservatives and flavor enhancers
Less environmentally friendly as there is a lot of waste
Labeling of ingredients also sometimes leaves a lot to be desired

What food for a husky?

We are always asked what food we recommend for the husky. Dogs often struggle with diarrhea, bad bowel movements, dull fur, and scratching.

It is important that your husky likes the food and that he gets all the necessary nutrients. Many types of food offer a sufficient supply and keep the dog healthy. It is therefore almost impossible to list all the very good types of feed.

Good dog food: as natural as possible and rich in nutrients and meat

High-quality dog ​​food contains hardly any artificial vitamin additives. You will usually find these declared in the ingredients. Vitamin supplements often have no benefit for the dog, but only serve as a preservative.

The grain content in dry food should be low. Because dogs are carnivores by nature, they cannot make enough enzymes to digest carbohydrates. The result would be diarrhea from the undigested leftovers.
The quality of the feed meat should be of high quality. You can only be sure that there is meat in the food if it really says “meat” on the packaging. If the inscription only refers to “chicken” instead of “chicken meat”, it could be a case of a significantly reduced proportion of meat, which is stretched with the animal’s claws, beaks or feathers, for example.
Cold-pressed dog food is much healthier as significantly more nutrients are retained. This process is used by many small and medium-sized companies and is noted on the packaging.
Good dog food should smell pleasant: If you have the opportunity, do the smell test.
If you want to get your husky used to new food, give it about three months. It is only after this phase that his body has adjusted to it and it can be said whether the food suits him.

Feed your Nordic sled dog a variety of foods!

The feed should be varied.

Offer different foods over the course of a few days. Not only because the Nordic sled dog gets bored quickly, but also to provide it with a wide range of nutrients.

Adult huskies are fed once in the morning and once in the evening. One fasting day per week corresponds to the natural way of life of Nordic sled dogs. But it is not absolutely necessary.

Puppies need shorter intervals with smaller rations: feed the offspring three to four times a day until they are about six months old.

Immediately after adopting your puppy, keep the feed mix that you know from the breeder. Only start switching to other foods after a few months – when the dog has settled in. There are optimally suitable ready-made puppy food.

Dry food – an inexpensive alternative with shortcomings

Dry food is usually cheaper than wet food. However, this is often reflected in the quality of the ingredients:

For a longer shelf life, it contains additives that can trigger allergies. Since dry food often does not taste good to dogs, it is usually enriched with sugar or grain to enhance the taste.

However, these ingredients will damage your husky in the long run. By the way: In order to improve the dog’s water balance, it makes sense to let the dry food soak in water before you offer it to your Nordic sled dog.

What tastes good for humans does not have to be good for a husky!

The dog may beg for treats such as chocolate, cocoa, coffee or cola while watching you enjoy them. However, the joy does not last long for the four-legged friend: The contained theobromine is poisonous for dogs and can even lead to death!

Even if you like to look deeper into the glass, don’t let your husky share in it. Even small amounts of alcohol can be very harmful.

However, common foods such as butter, milk or grapes also contain substances that are not tolerated by dogs.

Also, avoid feeding raw pork and wild boar!

Nordic sled dogs are not prone to being overweight!

Even if it is possible with malnutrition and lack of exercise, huskies do not actually tend to be overweight.

However, a neutered husky has a greater tendency to put on fat. It is therefore even more important to ensure that this already very active breed of dog gets enough exercise. The food for neutered huskies should not be too fatty and should be offered in moderation.

A well-fed husky looks good too!

You’ll know you’re doing the right thing with your Nordic Husky’s diet when:

• his coat is shiny and healthy-looking.
• the hair feels soft and does not fall out excessively.
• the teeth look well cared for and are free of tartar.
• the husky smells like a dog from the snout, and you don’t have a putrid smell.
• the feces, when checked over a long period of time, are brownish in color, well-formed, and neither too soft nor too firm.

With a species-appropriate diet, both you and the husky will enjoy active health and a significantly longer lifespan!

What does the Siberian Husky eat?

The Siberian husky is very undemanding in its diet, it is only important to have enough meat in the feed and to pay attention to the age of the animals. Many owners therefore decide to barf their dogs.

Health – life expectancy & common diseases

If the Siberian Husky is from a reputable breeder and gets enough exercise and mental workload, they can live to be very old. A life expectancy of 12 to 15 years is quite possible. However, if the Siberian Husky does not get enough exercise, he tends to become overweight and quickly develop health problems.

Husky diseases – hereditary diseases

Diarrhea in the Husky – Symptoms and Treatment
Diarrhea in dogs is characterized by frequent, liquid, mushy or soft faeces.

The husky has to defecate very often, often uncontrollably.

It is not uncommon for fat deposits, undigested leftover food, mucus or blood to be mixed into the excretion.

In addition, there are usually other symptoms such as cramping abdominal pain, weakness, restlessness, loss of appetite, vomiting, flatulence and intestinal noises.

The reasons for diarrhea can be varied. It is not an independent disease, but the result of a digestive disorder or a symptom of an existing underlying disease.

Possible causes of diarrhea in huskies include:

• psychological factors
• poisoning
• Food intolerances and allergies
• Diseases of the pancreas
• Chronic inflammation of the small intestine
• hereditary intestinal diseases
• Infections with parasites, viruses or bacteria
• diet change
• wrong diet

If the husky suffers from diarrhea for a long time, he loses more and more minerals and water. This can take life-threatening circumstances, especially when it comes to severe emaciation. Persistent diarrhea is particularly dangerous for puppies.

In many cases, the diarrhea will go away on its own. Because it is often sufficient to put the husky on a diet for 24-48 hours.

The dog should only be fed water and given plenty of rest. You can then start with a bland diet, with boneless chicken, high-fiber vegetables and cooked rice or tofu being particularly well tolerated.

However, if the mild symptoms do not subside after 48 hours, a veterinarian should definitely be consulted. The same applies if vomiting or fever occurs at the same time. Blood in the stool is also an alarm signal!

Vomiting in the Husky – Symptoms and Treatment

Vomiting in dogs is quite common and can have a variety of causes. If the husky vomits once, this usually has harmless reasons.

Vomiting in dogs is characterized by the yellowish bile and the vomiting of half-digested food. Before that, the dog is often nauseous, which is expressed by increased salivation, restlessness, yawning and smacking.

If frequent or persistent vomiting should occur, a doctor’s visit is inevitable. This differentiates between chronic and acute vomiting. In both cases, the husky will undergo various examinations, such as a gastroscopy, an X-ray ultrasound examination and a blood test.

This is intended to determine the cause of vomiting, which may include:

• psychological factors
• cancers
• Adrenal hypofunction (Addison’s disease)
• kidney diseases
• diabetes mellitus
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• liver disease
• gastric ulcer
• gastric torsion
• Inflammation of the lining of the stomach (gastritis) or gastrointestinal inflammation
• Infections with viruses, bacteria or parasites such as distemper, leptospirosis,
• leishmanosis, giardia or worms
• Food poisoning (see husky diet)
• ingestion of a foreign object
• too rapid feed change
• too hasty gulp of food
• Food intolerance, ingestion of spoiled food

Vomiting should be controlled with 24-hour food deprivation. Furthermore, the husky should get enough water, even if this may promote nausea.

If the condition does not improve or if it worsens, consult a veterinarian. This can determine whether the dog is suffering from poisoning or has swallowed a foreign object. If the dog cannot keep water down, there is also a risk of dehydration. The doctor can counteract this with infusions if necessary.

Ear Infection in Husky Symptoms and Treatment

An ear infection is a disease that often occurs in dogs, which is often recognized relatively late and often remains undertreated. Shaking, scratching, itching, tilting the head, as well as skipping actions such as rubbing the head on the walls, crawling across the carpet, rolling around extensively in the grass or nibbling paws can be signs of an ear infection.

An unusual way of lying down, such as your chin on the floor with your head tilted slightly, can also indicate an earache. Stopping from popular activities like walking or eating could also be signs of such inflammation.

Due to the proximity to the nervous system, ear infections can be extremely painful and, in chronic form, can even lead to shyness and aggression.

That is why prevention (see husky care) and identification and treatment of the causes are particularly important. First of all, the husky’s ears should be checked regularly.

Pain and itching can be caused by mites, for example. A black-brown and crumbly secretion and crusts in the ear indicate ear mites. In order to prevent further inflammation and diseases, further examinations should be carried out by the veterinarian.

Foreign bodies such as grain awns that got into the ear during the last walk through the field can also be responsible for an ear infection.

Ear cleaning should remain taboo for anyone with long fingernails. The ear should be searched with LED lighting and then cleaned with wet wipes.

Furthermore, the base of the ear and the outer ear should be carefully palpated to see whether the husky shows any pain reactions. Yellow dirt in the inner ear indicates suppuration, red-brown and crumbly dirt indicates mite infestation, and greasy and brown dirt indicates an ear infection.

If the dirt is so severe that cleaning it out twice is not enough, you should confide in a veterinarian.

Typical hereditary diseases in the husky

Malignant hyperthermia

This is an inherited disorder in the metabolism of the skeletal muscles. This is caused by a genetic defect in the ryanodine receptor gene.

Symptoms include excessive CO2 production, an increase in body temperature, an increased heart rate and a drop in blood pressure.

If no suitable countermeasures are taken, a further drop in blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias and finally cardiac arrest occur.

The cause of the symptoms is a drug-induced massive contraction of the skeletal muscles. This can permanently damage the muscle cells.

If muscle proteins get into the blood, acute disorders of the lung function, brain damage and acute kidney failure can develop.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

This stands for a chronic progressive neurological spinal cord disease in older Husky.

It is progressive and cannot be cured. Almost without exception, dogs from the age of 8 to 10 years are affected. This condition is associated with toe dragging, spontaneous dropping of feces, and stumbling and falling over when turning.

In most cases, both hind limbs are equally affected, with some dogs exhibiting lateral stress. As DM progresses, the husky can no longer stand up on its own and is also unable to walk without support.

GM1 gangliosidosis

As part of this untreatable, fatal hereditary disease, there is a progressive loss of function in the central nervous system.

The sugar-containing lipids (gangliosidosis) cannot be broken down due to the lack of a metabolic enzyme, which is why they accumulate primarily in the brain cells.

These deposits lead to structural changes in the nerve cells and to a significant functional impairment. It manifests itself for the first time at the age of 6 to 8 weeks.

The first signs are a shaking of the head (tremor), disturbances in the perception of one’s own body position and body movement in space, an unsteady gait and reduced weight gain. At the age of 7 months, the husky shows proportionate short stature and coordination problems, especially in the hind legs.

The movements are too exaggerated or too short. In addition, involuntary rapid movement of the eyes and squinting can occur. Seizures are common in the final stages of the disease.

What belongs to the basic equipment of a medicine cabinet for dogs

• Blanket (protection from cold, transport)
• disposable gloves
• Disposable syringes (5ml, 10ml or larger) for giving liquids or rinsing
• clinical thermometer
• bandage scissors (sharp and with blunt ends)
• Ice pack, CoolPad for cooling in case of heat stroke or to stop bleeding, always store in
• the refrigerator
• clean kitchen towels to cover larger wounds
• Rubber tourniquet, rubber hose as an aid for binding
• spare line
• Muzzle or a thick cord (mouth loop) that cannot cut in, gauze bandage
• tick tongs
• Tweezers with rounded tips (removal of foreign bodies)
• Flashlight with working batteries
• Pill crusher / disposable syringe (for easier administration of pills or juices)

Dressing material

• sticking plaster
• self-adhesive elastic bandages for securing bandages
• Bandage and padding cotton
• waterproof tape, fabric-reinforced tape
• Gauze compresses, gauze bandages, elastic bandages, sterile gauze pads

Medicines and solutions

• charcoal tablets
• Calendula mother tin cure
• Iodine for cleaning wounds (Caution for cats: only use preparations that are designated
• for cats and do not use for larger wounds!), Wound disinfectants
• alcohol
• 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
• physiological saline solution or Ringer’s solution for wound cleaning and eye rinsing

Hand sanitizer

• Furthermore (after consultation with the veterinarian) can be useful
• Remedies for Driving Sickness (See Husky on Vacation)
• In-flight tranquilizers (See Husky on vacation)
• Emergency remedies for allergic reactions
• Medication against diarrhea, intestinal flora preparation
• Electrolyte powder to be dissolved in water
• eye drop
• heparin ointment
• Wound disinfection: solution and ointment
• Wound and healing ointment
• Tick ​​and flea prevention

Checklist and tips for a carefree husky life

How to keep your husky healthy:

• ensure physical and mental workload (see employing husky).
• Exercise at least 2 to 3 hours a day
• Cycling, jogging tours, snowshoe hikes and working the dogs while pulling (e.g. on the sled or on skis) is recommended
• the dogs are to be kept on a leash at all times and, given their strong hunting instinct,
• should not be led by unaccompanied children
• a husky should under no circumstances be kept alone as a pack animal. A pack
• promotes socialization and the dog grows up more balanced.
• the husky is always treated with respect and without fear
• the dog should never be kept alone in an apartment for long hours
• An escape-proof garden where the dog can let off steam and dig holes is ideal
• attending a dog school and the associated husky education is ideal for socializing and
• challenging the husky and training it in a suitable learning environment
• the husky is considered to be extremely idiosyncratic and stubborn, which is why a lot of
• patience and consistent action is advised
• The proximity of this pack animal to the family is important, so the husky must not feel
• neglected by keeping it in a kennel
• In order not to damage the fat layer of the skin, the topcoat and undercoat should
• never be shaved and should not be washed with normal shampoo
• grooming is to be carried out several times a week with a brush and, if necessary, clear
• water
• a biologically-appropriate raw feeding (BARF) with unprocessed foods (except pork) is
• popular with many husky breeders.
• regular check-ups at the vet
• ongoing check of teeth, ears, and eyes

Care of the Siberian Husky

Due to the dense undercoat, the beautiful wolf-like coat of the Siberian Husky requires a lot of care. He has to brush the dog every day to get rid of loose fur and the husky loses an enormous amount of undercoat during the change of coat and it has to be combed several times a day. He can even lose several kilos of fur when she sheds her fur, usually in the form of whole tufts of fur. However, with the exception of grooming, the Husky is an easy dog when it comes to day-to-day grooming.

How much is the husky

A husky can cost between $1500 and $2000 from a reputable breeder. It often depends on the color of the puppies, rare colors are sometimes very expensive.

Siberian Husky Activities and Training

The Siberian Husky is a dog that needs to be active for several hours every day. Long walks and sports must be every day. Of course, sledding is best for the husky, but there are also many alternatives to sledding in the summer. There are scooters that are intended for towing with the dog, canicross and also inline skating with the dog is a good way to keep the dog busy in the summer. There are of course many other sports that are interesting for a husky.

Being very smart, the Siberian Husky is also good at tracking and obedience, and makes a good jogging or cycling companion. Regardless of which sport the owner chooses, the most important thing is that it is practiced regularly and that the husky is really physically challenged. A husky is only happy if he can also work.

If you are looking for a dog for weekend trips and otherwise need a quiet four-legged friend, you are much better off with another breed than with a Siberian Husky.

Good to know: Peculiarities of the Siberian Husky

Due to its primal demeanor and wolf-like appearance, the husky is a very popular dog for film and television. Jack London’s books alone show how much these dogs awaken the call of the wild in us humans. He is also the mascot of many clubs and brands.

The wolf for the living room, so to speak, but this idea can be deceptive very quickly, only very few people manage to do justice to a Siberian Husky and although the beautiful animals move people, the purchase of a Husky should always be considered very carefully.

Are Siberian Huskies Dangerous?

No, with enough exercise and a good upbringing, huskies make very easy companion dogs who are friendly and open to people. If there is no activity, the dogs can quickly become overconfident with their energy and tend to destroy things in the house.

Disadvantages of the Siberian Husky

The husky’s great urge to move and his original nature are overwhelming for many people. Especially the high demands on the sporting activity of the owner is a disadvantage for most people.

Furthermore, the intensive care of the fur is a burden for the owner. If you are really interested in a Siberian Husky, you should inform yourself very well and exchange ideas with other owners of this breed. In training, the husky can also show its strong will and try to assert its own mind.

Is the Siberian Husky right for me?

The Siberian Husky is only for true lovers of the breed and people who enjoy the work of a musher and enjoy going on outdoor trips. He is not a dog for beginners or for seniors because his urge to move is too high. Despite its beauty, it is a dog with high demands and needs on its owner and at best the Siberian Husky is not kept as an only dog, at least as a second dog. Interested owners can watch a real husky race before buying a husky so that they can get an impression of the animals’ strength and physical ability to work.