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Article by Lori Fogg,
Experienced Siberian Owner
So you've seen the Disney movie "Snow
Dogs" and think that you'd love to bring a Siberian Husky into your family
-- and home. But are you ready?
Many times, movies with animals in them leave
viewers with the wrong impression of what the animal is really about.
Remember, these animals are trained for the movies, and the environment you
see them in is not the real world.
Because the animals are "cute" and
"cuddly", people want to rush out and get one. A perfect
example is the 101 Dalmatian movies - again from Disney. Portrayed
as great fun and awfully cute, the demand for Dalmatians skyrocketed after
the release of the movies. Each time, shelters across the country
were flooded with unwanted Dalmatians when people
realized that these dogs were not the pet for everyone due to their high
energy levels and other breed specific issues - things they never saw in
the movie or took the time to learn prior to getting one of the dogs.
Unfortunately, many of those surrendered
Dalmatians were put to death in shelters across the country simply because there were not enough good homes for
them with people who understood the breed. In addition, puppy mills
spewed forth Dalmatians by the thousands, most in poor heath with bad temperament.
Is this what a movie should be accomplishing?
Now, Disney strikes again with "Snow
Dogs", a movie that makes Siberians the next target for puppy mills
and un-informed dog owners.
Captivating in their beauty, grace and childlike
demeanor, Siberians catch the eye of adults and children alike. They
can be wonderful dogs for the well-informed or experienced Husky
owner. However, they are NOT the breed for everyone and definitely not for first
time dog owners. Too many wind up lost, in shelters, killed on the
highway, abandoned or abused because the owner didn't understand the breed
and it's challenging traits.
Bred by the Chukchi, a tribe of Siberian nomads,
to provide fast, economical transportation over the frozen land, the
Siberian is strong and agile. They are able to cover long distances
on a minimum amount of food. Gentle in nature, the Siberian often shared a
bed with family members - hence the term "three dog night".
The current Siberian still shares many traits with
it's ancient ancestors. Traits that every prospective owner should be
keenly aware of. Traits that make the Husky appealing to some, but
impossible to deal with by others.
Siberians are escape artists. Even 6 foot
stockade fences may not keep in a Siberian intent on getting out (for this
reason, ALWAYS spay and neuter your pet to avoid unwanted births - and
deaths and keep an identification tag/license on your dog). They cannot be left off lead. A run-away Husky may
never be seen again. This is why so many wind up hit or killed by
vehicles, in shelters or as the neighborhood nuisance. If you cannot
securely enclose your yard or think that you can train the dog to be off
leash, a Husky is not for you.
They love to dig. If your landscaping means
a lot to you, you probably won't appreciate how your Husky will attempt to
"re-design" it. Digging is a way for them to
escape under fences -- remember this fact at all times. Digging is
instinctive and won't be quelled. It comes from the natural instinct
to provide shelter, gather and store food. Providing them a safe
place to dig may help the situation ( a child's sandbox, etc), but they
may also attempt to "dig" in the house when left alone, leading
to destructive behavior.
Many a sofa and rug has met with this fate. If you are not willing
to crate train or do not have a small area where the dog can be
safely and humanely contained while you are away from home, do not get a Husky.
The Husky needs lots of exercise and
entertainment. They love to run and play, but must be allowed to do
so safely. Contrary to what you might think, they don't need a large
area, just a fenced in normal size yard. 20 minutes of hard play
every other day is what's needed to keep a Siberian in good shape and
happy. If you aren't willing to provide this time to the dog or
don't have a fenced in yard or safe area for exercise, you should not get
a Siberian Husky.
The Siberian is a double-coated breed. A
soft downy coat is next to the skin to protect them in frigid weather and
repel water. A longer outer coat is also present. Siberians
SHED. Profusely at least twice a year in a process known as
"blowing their coat". Large "clumps" of fur work
loose, starting at the hind end and moving forward. Constant
brushing helps remove the clumps, but for indoor dogs, shedding is a year-round event in that they
lose hair constantly in addition to the
twice a year major shedding. If dog hair in your house and on your
clothes bothers you, consider yourself forewarned and do not get a
Husky.
Siberians are not watch dogs. They are quite
content to take off with a stranger for a "ride" or in exchange
for a biscuit. They do not bark often, but instead, make a
"woo-woo" sound and howl, much like a wolf. This can be
very distracting to neighbors and to un-initiated pet owners. If you
live in an area where the neighbors will complain, have strict zoning laws
concerning noise or simply don't want to hear howling, a Siberian is not
the choice of dog for you.
Given proper training, the Siberian Husky can
usually master the basic obedience commands, like "sit" and
"shake hands", but if you are looking for a dog for serious
obedience training, the Husky isn't it. This is not because they are
dumb, rather quite the opposite. Their high intelligence means they
are easily bored (this is where the destructive traits can come in to play
again). Siberians are very adept at sensing your emotions. If you
are uneasy with the dog or uncertain, a Husky will question your
leadership. You must prove to them that you are the Alpha
"dog" of the pack. If you want a dog solely for obedience work
or expect your Siberian to act like Lassie, don't get a Husky.
Huskies are usually not good around small
animals. Cat owners beware. If you have other small animals,
such as cats, rabbits, etc. a Siberian may hurt or kill these other
pets. Although they are kind and gentle with people, their strength makes them
hazardous to small children because they can easily knock a child
down or run over them. In addition, people with some physical
limitations can find them too difficult to handle. If you have cats,
small children that cannot be constantly supervised in the presence
of the dog, or have mobility issues, you should not get a Husky.
If you haven't guessed by now, the choice to open
your home to a Siberian is a SERIOUS decision (as with any dog, but
especially with ones portrayed in movies and stories to be something that
they are not in real life). If you cannot deal with the issues that
come with owning a Siberian, please don't get one. This is real life
and these are real issues. Dogs aren't something that you take for a
trial run and then punish for being the dog that they are. It is a
long term commitment that shouldn't be taken lightly.
If you ARE able to provide proper care and are
willing to deal with, and embrace the issues of the breed, you will find
that you have a life-long companion in a Siberian who will love you and
brighten your days.
Remember - "fads" for particular breeds
most certainly mean that puppy mills will kick into high gear to turn out
these dogs for purchase at pet stores everywhere. If you ever considered
buying a puppy from a pet store, you must
read
this information first.
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