Meet the Siberian Husky E-Book

American Kennel Club

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: AKC Meet the Breed Series
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Seitenzahl: 193

Beschreibung

Meet the Siberian Husky is the first official publication endorsed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) on this very popular companion breed, whose claim to fame is being history's greatest sled dog. Eleven chapters detail the history, characteristics, and special requirements for owning this native Siberian breed, heavily illustrated with beautiful color images of puppies and adults. A chapter devoted to the purchase and selection of the Siberian Husky puppy gives the reader specific guidance on how to locate a qualified breed and to recognize a healthy, sound puppy. Two separate chapters serve as a primer to training the puppy--house-training and obedience work, favoring positive-training techniques as the best and most successful way to educate dogs. Chapters on grooming, feeding, and healthcare present indispensable information for new dog owners. As an official publication of the AKC, Meet the Siberian also explains the many vital programs offered by the country's leading canine organization to all pet dog owners, including the S.T.A.R. Puppy and the Canine Good Citizen programs, as well as descriptions of various dog sports such as conformation showing, agility, obedience and more. A detailed resources section offers recommendations for websites, books, periodicals, and club affiliate programs, all of great interest to responsible new dog owners.

Leseprobe

Brought to you by The American Kennel Club and the Siberian Husky Club of America.

i-5 PUBLISHING, LLC™

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Copyright © 2014 The American Kennel Club and i-5 Publishing, LLC™

Photography: Ermolaev Alexander/Shutterstock: 8; AnetaPics/Shutterstock: 119; Art_man/Shutterstock: 66; ARTSILENSE/Shutterstock: 3; cynoclub/Shutterstock: 17; Waldemar Dabrowski/Shutterstock: 35; Dm_Cherry/Shutterstock: 9, 18-19; Robert Donovan/Shutterstock: 96; esbobeldijk/Shutterstock: 59; gillmar/Shutterstock: 4, 6-7; aleksandr hunta/Shutterstock: 85; ingret/Shutterstock: 105; Marcel Jancovic/Shutterstock: 10, 14; Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock: 4, 30-31, 21, 34, 39, 54-55, 88; Karkhut/Shutterstock: 78; Sergey Krasnoshchokov/Shutterstock: 120; Tanya Kozlovsky/Shutterstock: 16, 29; Eduard Kyslynskyy/Shutterstock: 24, 108; EriK Lam/Shutterstock: back cover; Sergey Lavrentev/Shutterstock: 116; L.F/Shutterstock: 77; mariait/Shutterstock: 4, 94-95, 15; marinini/Shutterstock: 25; melis/Shutterstock: 91, 112, 113; Mikadun/Shutterstock: 20; MrGarry/Shutterstock: 99; otsphoto/Shutterstock: 1, 4, 102-103, 106, 107, 114-115; Asier Romero/Shutterstock: 101; Sbolotova/Shutterstock: 28, 37, 38, 44-45, 52, 60, 62, 66, 82, 92, 93, 104, main front cover; Nata Sdobnikova/Shutterstock: 13, 40, 42, 46, 49, 61, 63, 67, 74-75, 76, 80, 83, 86-87, 97; Svenstorm/Flickr: 110; tarasov/Shutterstock: 124; Nikolai Tsvetkov/Shutter-stock: 98; Svetlana Valoueva/Shutterstock: 51, 64-65, 69, 70, 72; YAN WEN/Shutterstock: 22-23; Vera Zinkova/Shutterstock: 90; and Zuzule/Shutterstock: 53.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of i5 Press™, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The American Kennel Club’s meet the Siberian husky : the responsible dog owner’s handbook.

       pages cm. -- (Akc’s meet the breeds series)

   Includes index.

   Print ISBN 978-1-62008-098-6eISBN 9781621870951

 1. Siberian husky. I. American Kennel Club. II. Title: Meet the Siberian husky.

   SF429.S65A54 2014

   636.73--dc23

2013043578

This book has been published with the intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter within. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the author and publisher expressly disclaim any responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein. The techniques and suggestions are used at the reader’s discretion and are not to be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If you suspect a medical problem, consult your veterinarian.

A NOTE FROM THE AKC

From Dennis B. SprungAKC President and CEO

Meet Your New Dog

Welcome to Meet the Siberian Husky. Whether you’re a long-time Siberian Husky owner, or you’ve just gotten your first puppy, we wish you a lifetime of happiness and enjoyment with your new pet.

In this book, you’ll learn about the history of the breed, receive tips on feeding, grooming, and training, and learn about all the fun you can have with your dog. The American Kennel Club and i5 Press hope that this book serves as a useful guide on the lifelong journey you’ll take with your canine companion.

Owned and cherished by millions across America, Siberian Huskies make wonderful companions and also enjoy taking part in a variety of dog sports, including conformation (dog shows), obedience, agility, and sledding.

Thousands of Siberian Huskies have also earned the AKC Canine Good Citizen® certification by demonstrating their good manners at home and in the community. We hope that you and your Siberian Husky will become involved in AKC events, too! Learn how to get involved at www.akc.org/events or find a training club in your area at www.akc.org/events/trainingclubs.cfm.

We encourage you to connect with other Siberian Husky owners on the AKC website (www.akc.org), Facebook (www.facebook.com/americankennelclub), and Twitter (@akcdoglovers). Also visit the website of the Siberian Husky Club of America (www.shca.org), the national parent club for the Siberian Husky, to learn about the breed from reputable exhibitors and breeders.

Enjoy Meet the Siberian Husky!

Sincerely,

Dennis B. Sprung

AKC President and CEO

Contents

1 DRAWN TO THE SIBERIAN HUSKY

2 THE DESIGN OF THE SIBERIAN HUSKY

3 A SIBERIAN HUSKY FOR YOUR LIFE

4 THE SIBERIAN HUSKY COMES HOME

5 YOUR MANNERLY SIBERIAN HUSKY

6 HOUSE-TRAINING YOUR SIBERIAN HUSKY

7 EDUCATING THE BRAINY SIBERIAN HUSKY

8 FEEDING YOUR SIBERIAN HUSKY

9 GROOMING A NATURAL BEAUTY

10 YOUR HEALTHY SIBERIAN HUSKY

11 KEEPING YOUR SIBERIAN HUSKY ACTIVE

RESOURCES

Take one glance at the Siberian Husky and you will have no doubt of this purebred dog’s connection to the wild. Your eyes reveal a primitive-looking breed, with an abundant winter coat of many colors, fiery eyes that dance in unpredictable rhythms, and the facial expression of a friendly gray wolf. Beneath the Siberian Husky’s surface brews a dog closely connected to wolflike ancestors, as the latest DNA studies reveal. Researchers (as reported in National Geographic, February, 2012) wrote, “Dogs from these breeds [of which the Siberian Husky is the first mentioned] may be the best living representatives of the ancestral dog gene pool.”

SLED DOG AND COMPANION

Ancestors of today’s Siberian Huskies, and those of breeds as diverse as the Chow Chow (China), Afghan Hound (Afghanistan), Basenji (Congo), Akita (Japan), and Saluki (Egypt), likely originated in Asia before taking a southern course with nomads to Africa or following a northern path to the Arctic. The Siberian Husky traveled with the Chukchi people from northeastern Asia to Alaska, discrediting earlier theories that huskies were domesticated from wolves in North America. The Chukchis used these dogs as sled dogs and so revered their canine workers that they treated them like family members. The dogs had sweet, dependable temperaments, lived in the family shelters, and played happily with the Chukchi children.

That engaging temperament is still present in the twenty-first-century Siberian Husky. Just over a hundred years ago—in 1909—a large population of Siberian Huskies was transported to Alaska to compete in the 408-mile All-Alaska Sweepstakes. Russian fur trader, William Goosak imported a team of Siberian Huskies, known then simply as “Siberian dogs,” to Nome, Alaska. Goosak hoped to capture the $10,000 purse offered to the winning team. His competitors dismissed his team of smallish dogs as lightweights that would be no match for their taller, heavier competitors. Goosak got the last laugh (but not the prize money, which today would be over a quarter of a million dollars). Goosak’s third-place accomplishment helped to spread the reputation of his outstanding Siberian dogs across the continent, though not as quickly as it would have today. No one was tweeting at the finish line or posting his photo on Facebook!

For countless generations, Siberian Huskies were the cherished family companions of the Chukchi people. Today Huskies remain first and foremost the best friends of their devoted owners.

Meet the Siberian Husky

AKC Meet the Breeds®, hosted by the American Kennel Club, is a great place to see Siberian Huskies, as well as more than two hundred other dog and cat breeds. Not only can you see dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens of all sizes, you can also talk to experts in each of the breeds. Meet the Breeds features demonstration rings to watch events for law enforcement K9s, grooming, agility, and obedience. You also can browse the more than one hundred vendor booths for every imaginable product for you and your pet.

It’s great fun for the whole family. AKC Meet the Breeds takes place in the fall in New York City. For more information, check out www.meetthebreeds.com.

The Siberian Husky Club of America (SHCA) stands firm on its assertion that the breed has been a purebred dog for centuries and is “not a wild, half-wolf, crossbred creature.” Published in National Geographic, a scientific study analyzed the DNA makeup of eighty-five breeds to determine which purebred dogs were closest and furthest from the ancestral gray wolf. The Siberian Husky ranked number seven in most “wolflike,” with the Shiba Inu and Chow Chow ranking numbers one and two. The breeds that ranked the furthest were two of the Swiss mountain dogs.

The superiority of the Siberian dogs to the native husky types in Alaska was demonstrated in the historic Serum Run of 1925, when a team of Siberian Huskies transported much needed medicine for a diphtheria epidemic in Nome from Neana, 600 miles away. Leonhard Seppala, a well-known racer and trainer, volunteered his team of Siberians to transport the serum. Seppala drove his team of twenty dogs, led by his leader dog, Togo, through blizzard conditions across 300 miles of perilous terrain, to meet the relay team carrying the medicine. Tired and worn, Seppala’s team then turned back toward Nome. Gunnar Kaasen’s team, led by the great Balto, completed the last leg of the journey and delivered the serum. Both lead dogs, Togo and Balto, were honored for their valor.

Did You Know?

Rule Number One of Ownership: Never chase a loose Siberian Husky! Train your puppy to chase you, incorporating the puppy’s favorite word “cookie” or a dog bowl with some kibble rattling about inside it.

Since the breed first appeared in the United States, the Siberian Husky has exhibited its natural superiority as a sled dog.

Run Like the Wind!

Even in today’s top-winning Siberian Husky show dogs, the urge to run hasn’t been repressed, which is a cause for celebration as well as concern…and sturdy leashes and fences. The breed’s passion for running is nearly insatiable. Run he will at every opportunity. For his own safety and well-being, the Siberian Husky should always be exercised on leash or harness and never be permitted to run free unless he is in a securely fenced area. He runs for the pure pleasure of doing what he was bred to do, a trait that must be controlled for his own safety. The Siberian Husky does not perceive the possible danger of an oncoming snowmobile or SUV. Simply stated, Siberian Husky owners who allow their dogs off-leash freedom put their dogs in harm’s way and risk the loss of their dog to death or disappearance.

Responsible Pet Ownership

Getting a dog is exciting, but it’s also a huge responsibility. That’s why it’s important to educate yourself on all that is involved in being a good pet owner. As a part of the Canine Good Citizen® test, the AKC has a “Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge,” which states:

I will be responsible for my dog’s health needs.

    I will provide routine veterinary care, including checkups and vaccines.

    I will offer adequate nutrition through proper diet and clean water at all times.

    I will give daily exercise and regularly bathe and groom.

I will be responsible for my dog’s safety.

    I will properly control my dog by providing fencing where appropriate, by not letting my dog run loose, and by using a leash in public.

    I will ensure that my dog has some form of identification when appropriate (which may include collar tags, tattoos, or microchip identification).

    I will provide adequate supervision when my dog and children are together.

I will not allow my dog to infringe on the rights of others.

    I will not allow my dog to run loose in the neighborhood.

    I will not allow my dog to be a nuisance to others by

    I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog’s waste in all public areas, such as on the grounds of hotels, on sidewalks, in parks, etc.

    I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog’s waste in wilderness areas, on hiking trails, on campgrounds, and in off-leash parks.

I will be responsible for my dog’s quality of life.

    I understand that basic training is beneficial to all dogs.

    I will give my dog attention and playtime.

    I understand that owning a dog is a commitment in time and caring.

Buoyed by his team’s success and desiring to promote his Siberians, Seppala entered his winning team in several New England races, pitting them against the favored locally bred racing dogs. The Siberians consistently bested the bigger local dogs, and Seppala amassed more wins and records in that area than any other musher. His dogs were suddenly in great demand, and his kennel in Maine provided many fine Siberians to the New England mushers and kennels during the 1930s.

Just five years after the famous Serum Run, the Siberian Husky, with the backing of numerous East Coast dog fanciers, was accepted by the American Kennel Club. In 1938 the Siberian Husky Club of America was founded for the purpose of protecting and promoting the breed in the United States.

The foundation stock of the Siberian Husky in the United States was based on the legendary sled dogs that worked on Seppala’s team. Many early Siberian Huskies in the show ring were actually members of racing teams, and tracing the pedigrees of the early dogs reveals that a number of great racing sled dogs occur in the foundation stock of the breed. In fact, all of today’s Siberian Huskies can trace their lineage back to two dogs in Seppala’s team, his team leaders Togo and Fritz, and to his two last imports, Tserko and Kreevanka.

Many top breeders today concentrate on dual-purpose Siberian Huskies: dogs that conform to the standard with sound temperaments and physical structure and the ability to perform as working sled dogs. The Siberian Husky is a workhorse driven by a work ethic borne of generations of sled dogs that pulled and raced under the direst of conditions. He is not satisfied with a life of unemployment.

THE SMILING HUSKY

Ask anyone who’s met a Siberian Husky, and he or she will describe the breed’s personality as cheerful, affectionate, and happy. His smile is contagious, and this sweet temperament is as highly prized by his owners as the dog’s ability to work. Given the Siberian dog’s revered status in the Chukchi Indians’ families, the breed’s gentle demeanor and trustworthiness with children can be traced to its many generations living among the families of the Chukchis.

A pack dog by nature, the Siberian Husky is not a one-person kind of dog, and he shares his affection equally with all members of his family. The Siberian Husky is an affectionate and gregarious dog who needs to be with his person or family and does not thrive if left alone. He has a delightful temperament and relishes every opportunity to interact with people. He especially enjoys the company of young children and is most gentle and sweet tempered when playing with them.

Owners seeking a guard dog should seek elsewhere. The Siberian Husky will protect himself but does not have the natural protective instincts required for this kind of duty. Although fearless, the Siberian Husky is a truly hospitable fellow and quite simply not a guard dog. He is interested in strangers and is unflinching and cordial when greeted by outsiders, although strangers often are intimidated by the Siberian Husky’s appearance. Although most Siberian Huskies will sound an alarm when something strange threatens them, they’re not ideal watchdogs either. They’re simply too friendly to count on!

Get to Know the AKC

The American Kennel Club, the world’s leading canine organization, is dedicated to the betterment and promotion of purebred dogs as family companions. The AKC is the largest dog registry in the United States and was founded in 1884 with the mission of promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Supporting everything from health and wellness to fun activities for the whole family, the AKC is committed to advancing the understanding, benefits, and care of all dogs. Help continue the legacy by registering your purebred Siberian Husky with the AKC. It’s as simple as filling out the Dog Registration Application you received when you bought your puppy and mailing it in or register online at www.akc.org/dogreg.

Like Greyhounds born to run on sand, the Siberian Husky was born to run in snow. A Husky is never happier than when he’s running free over a wintry landscape.

Although the Siberian Husky is a pack dog by profession, he is at heart a free spirit that wants to do his own thing.

The Siberian Husky is also known for his independent streak and his innate intelligence. These qualities are clearly evident in the Siberian Husky’s eyes, which are brilliant and full of intent. That persons unfamiliar with the breed can be intimidated by the breed’s icy, primitive stare speaks to the breed’s unmistakable intensity.

That free spirit is a part of the Siberian Husky’s charm and one of the unique qualities that draws many people to the breed. He is highly intelligent, but not easily trained, presenting both a challenge and a conundrum. Consequently, the Siberian Husky requires an equally unique owner who is up to dealing with and enjoying the many facets of his personality.

The Siberian Husky will swiftly adapt to a family with multiple dogs, and they are friendly and tolerant with strange dogs as well. His amicable qualities do not extend to noncanines, and his strong predator instincts make him unreliable with small animals such as cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and pet rodents. Once on “the hunt,” he will not be deterred from pursuing his quarry. All small creatures—indoors and out—are considered prey and are at great risk in a Siberian Husky home.

Intelligence in a dog can be a double-edged sword. The smartest children can also be the hardest to teach, as they bore easily and have their own theories and ideas. The Siberian Husky needs to be active in mind and body. The Siberian Husky is an independent thinker and may not always listen to his master. With his active mind, the Siberian Husky simply cannot bear to be bored and is best suited for an active family who enjoys activities with their dog. A Siberian Husky left all day in his owner’s backyard without a job to do will be an unhappy companion. Without a job, a game, or a challenge, the Siberian Husky will expend his energy in “creatively” destructive ways. He will dig beneath the largest rock, shinny over or under a solid fence, and otherwise tax his owner’s landscaping and patience. He needs at least one hour of vigorous exercise each day. Long, brisk walks, swimming, and sled-pulling events are excellent outlets for that boundless Siberian Husky energy.

No one could deny the intelligence apparent in the expression of the Siberian Husky. He is a thoughtful canine with fully-blossomed ideas all his own.

THE NATIONAL BREED CLUB

The Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc., founded in 1938, is the national breed club recognized by the American Kennel Club. The purpose of the parent club is to safeguard the Siberian Husky in the United States by promoting the proper breeding and responsible ownership of the breed. Learn more about the breed and the SHCA at www.shca.org.

A coat as luxurious and impressive as the Siberian Husky’s should be rewarding for the owner to maintain. The Siberian Husky sheds twice annually, usually in the spring and fall.

ON THE DOWNY SIDE

The Siberian coat is thick and plush, with a dense undercoat, which sheds twice a year, creating snowy hills of downy fur around your house. If you are a fastidious housekeeper, think twice about buying a Siberian Husky. You will need a top-of-theline vacuum cleaner—the best investment next to a puppy crate—and a rigorous house-cleaning regimen during shedding season. Unlike short-haired breeds that drop little hairs every day of the year, the Siberian Husky coat doesn’t shed much except during those snowy (downy) two months a year. On the plus side, the heavy undercoat provides insulation from many of the skin allergens that irritate humans and keeps the dog relatively odor-free. Regular brushing and bathing are time-consuming but essential for healthy skin and coat.

The Siberian Husky is described by owners as an “easy keeper,” requiring very little from his owners in the way of special care or food. During shedding season, owners will be following their dogs with a grooming rake, but during the other ten months of the year, the catlike Siberian Husky makes few demands. Show exhibitors have little to do to prepare this natural breed for the ring, as he requires no special clipping or trimming. Siberian handlers are usually as calm and easygoing as their dogs.

Despite the Siberian Husky’s not being a dog for everyone, the breed has risen in AKC annual registrations, and the SHCA does not wish to see the quality of the breed diminish as demand increases. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of breeders, sled-dog-racing enthusiasts, exhibitors, and other members of the SHCA, the modern Siberian Husky is one of the few breeds that has retained those original mental and physical qualities that make it a competent working dog and a devoted companion. The only source for a quality Siberian Husky puppy is a reputable breeder, and the AKC and the SHCA are your starting points for your search.

CONSIDER A DIFFERENT BREED IF YOU:

•     Are seeking a one-person dog that makes you feel like you’re the only human on the planet

•     Prefer a fur-free, immaculate household 24/7

•     Work all day and don’t tend to come straight home

•     Have a perfectly landscaped backyard with no room for “improvement”

•     Want a dog to run loose with you on a jog or on the beach

•     Are seeking a guard dog or watchdog to protect your family and property

•     Fancy other noncanine pets, such as guinea pigs, hamsters, or even cats

At a Glance …

Developed as a sled dog and companion by the Chukchi Indians, the Siberian Husky came to America by way of Alaska as a sled dog of unparalleled abilities.

Sweet and affectionate, the breed excels as a family dog and companion for children, but it is no guard dog. The breed prefers an active lifestyle, as it can become bored and destructive without vigorous exercise and outlets for his creativity and energy.

Siberian Huskies are bright and fairly biddable dogs, but they will run away. Keep them leashed and securely fenced at all times.

A prized feature of all Nordic breeds, the coat is a lustrous, double coat that sheds voluminously once or twice a year. Owners must be prepared to brush this dog and follow him with a vacuum cleaner.