How to Select a Siberian Husky

Siberian huskies ' 100 percent dog, not part wolf ' were first bred in northeastern Asia to work as sled dogs. No one had heard of them until 1908 when a Russian fur buyer entered his team in the 1909 All Alaska Sweepstakes Race. He and his "Siberian rats" earned the respect of the other mushers by placing third in the race.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dental Kits (for Dogs)
• Dog Beds
• Dog Brushes
• Dog Collars
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Food
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Shampoo
• Dog Toys
• Nail Clippers For Dogs
• Dog Shampoo

1. Choose a husky if you want an affectionate, loyal and friendly companion. Huskies are not aggressive and make poor watchdogs because of their friendly dispositions.

2. Try a Siberian if you're looking for a good family dog. They are affectionate with children.

3. Feel free to adopt a Siberian if you have other dogs, but understand that they don't get along with cats or other small pets.

4. Expect your Siberian to reach 21 to 23 inches at the shoulders when full grown (females are about an inch shorter than the males) and weigh between 40 and 60 pounds.

5. Anticipate paying between $200 and $500 for a good-quality dog.

6. Consider adopting a husky from a rescue group. Many of these dogs are already housebroken and finished with the chewing stage. There is usually nothing wrong with the dog; the owners didn't research the breed and later discovered that they and the dog were incompatible.

7. Note that Siberians are easy to train, but choosy about obeying. The main reason people give up their huskies is because they can't control them. The second reason is that huskies are accomplished escape artists.

8. Keep your Siberian inside or out, but remember that this dog is very social. If you don't have another dog, you need to keep your husky near its family.

9. Be prepared to enjoy a fruitful 10 to 15 years with your husky, as that is the average life expectancy of a Siberian.

Tips & Warnings

• Huskies don't have a doggy smell and are one of the few breeds that people with allergies should consider.
• Make sure you or someone in your home is willing to spend 30 to 60 minutes a day playing with and exercising the dog.
• While huskies don't bark much, they aren't silent dogs. They grumble and mutter and occasionally cut loose with a haunting howl that will make your neighbors unhappy if it goes on for an extended time.
• Provide ample space for huskies; they are bred for endurance running.
• Do not trust your Siberian off of his leash.
• If you want a dog that will be kind to your yard, this is not the dog for you. Huskies love to dig.

on 11/22/2005 Huskies sometimes can sense if a person is unfriendly and mean. Huskies usually have up to six puppies when pregnant. Huskies have a tendency to feel depressed when left alone for a long period of time, so they get happier when having a Husky pal.