Dear Critter Corner: I love the way Huskies look fluffy and wolfish. I have been considering adopting one for a while but want to learn more about them. Is there anything I should know before adopting one?
Siberian and Alaskan Huskies are the most famous part of the Spitz breed of dog, often referred to as “Northern” breeds. There are some key features about Huskies that you should be aware of before adopting one. The first is their energy and intelligence level. Huskies are a friendly, high-energy, high-intelligence breed of dog who are notoriously mischievous. Huskies love to dig, chew, explore, and hunt. It’s not uncommon for bored Huskies to dig under or leap over fences and be found wandering happily in a different county. They naturally have high prey- drive and small animals may be at risk around a Husky.
A Husky will often rearrange your desk or office to entertain themselves and are known as comedians in the dog world. They can be strong-willed and often will not work for free. Many are naturally confident dogs that can be fickle in their bonds with their human. Huskies often have an exceptionally friendly temperament and are not good guard dogs. Owning a Husky is as much about keeping them entertained as it is about cuddling on the sofa with a fluffy companion.
It is well known that Huskies shed, but many people do not realize just how much they shed. Huskies have an undercoat that they completely blow out twice a year. A quick Google search of Husky grooming will often show two nice dogs laying next to each other, only on double-take will you realize that the second one is just fur. Huskies require daily grooming to stay ahead of their shedding but expect hair everywhere.
Lastly, Huskies speak their own language. There are other breeds that howl, like a Beagle, but Huskies are exceptionally communicative. If you, or your neighbors, don’t appreciate “Husky howls” you may want to reconsider your choice of dog. While they are chatty with their humans, if you put two friendly Huskies together in the same room you may get a free concert.
Daniel Levit is the Assistant for the Behavior and Training Department at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. For more information, visit www.PHS-SPCA.org, call 650-340-7022, ext. 416, or email dlevit@phs-spca.org.
Source: www.mercurynews.com