The Quixotic Mystique of the Wolf Dog

Some will claim they had the most spiritual awakening since sharing their life with a wolf dog, also commonly known as a wolf hybrid. You will find an equal number of owners that will argue it was the worst mistake they ever made. Fact is, they are both right. Fact is, either way; it is an experience neither will forget.

Those that report there were mystical happenings of being in touch with one of nature's wild creatures, most likely were very lucky to either have an exceptional animal, and/or the experience and skills of effective leadership. They most likely, will tell you stories of what wonderful pets they are.

On the flip side, there are horrific stories of dangerous, unexpected, frightening experiences; some even tragic for owner and pet.

Before even considering a wolf dog, do your homework. You can never ask enough questions. Start with; are they legal in your state, county and city? Do you need a permit to own one? Check your insurance. Will you be covered, should there be a liability incident? Do you have the experience and skills to work with, and control, what could be a difficult animal? Do you have the time and energy to devote to the animal? Do you have the financial resources you may need, to live with this animal? Scrutinize the breeder. How did you hear about them? What is their history? Is breeding the wolf dog their passion or are they doing it merely for the money? How often do they have a litter for sale? What are their breeding practices? What are the conditions of their facility? What dog breeds are used? What species of wolf is used? How often do they introduce "new blood" into their breeding? Are the same pairs bred continuously? How often does the female "get a break"? Get honest, non-biased references...not only from the owners of puppies purchased from that breeder, but also from the breeder's veterinarian. Check with animal control. Are they complaints reported about the breeder or their animals?

Bottom line: A wolf dog is not for everyone. They have their own unique personalities and sometimes difficult temperaments. Take a long, hard look at the reasons why having a wolf dog is so important to you. Be honest with yourself. Just thinking you have what it takes is not enough. You have to be sure, and you have to be willing to make a 100 percent commitment to your animal. Be prepared for the worst, and wish for the best. Most importantly, be sure you are doing it for the right reasons.

Siberian Husky Puppies Make Wonderful Companions

Siberian husky puppies are a sturdy and able animals that were bred for hard work.

In fact the Working Group is how the AKC classifies them. They are affectionate but are also very self-reliant.

The Siberian husky grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches. Forty to sixty pounds is the average weight range. The female dog is much smaller. The head bears a wolf-like appearance. They have heavy fur, which evolved from living in the extreme cold conditions of Siberia and are very prone to shedding. There are two distinct components to their thick coats. Close to the skin is finer fur that traps heat almost like the down on a duck. The surface layer is heavier hair for shelter from cold weather. This outer layer is somewhat water repellent and helps to keep the skin dry.

Their bushy tail rolls up over their backs. It serves to keep their nose warm when they are curled up asleep. Siberian husky puppies can have blue, brown, or yellowish eyes. They do not always have eyes the same color. Also each individual eye is sometimes known to have two colors. For show purposes the American Kennel Club allows all these combinations.

These dogs are simply not the best choice for some people. Households with small children and other small animals are best advised not to own a Siberian husky. The dogs get along fine with older, larger kids.

Also Siberians are a poor choice for people who have never owned a dog before. They are very self-reliant because of the fact they are workers. As an owner you must be strong and determined in order to keep these dogs in line. Siberian husky puppies should be taught discipline at a very young age. A large fenced in back yard is a virtual prerequisite for ownership of this animal.

They are aggressive and tireless and love exercise. Having come from a cold climate they need to be allowed outside to give them a respite from the typical warm home in the winter. A large play area is necessary and the fencing needs to be strong and sturdy. These are intelligent dogs and will escape through the slightest weakness in your fence.

Aging individuals and people with physical disabilities should not choose to own a Siberian. They are rambunctious and playful and need lots of activity. They get along well with people who like lots of exercise.

The summer heat affects them to the extent that they may become a bit lethargic and a little less active.

The Siberian husky puppy is not a good choice for a watchdog. Oddly enough, this dog would more likely run from a burglar.

If you need a quiet dog to keep the neighbors from complaining this is not your dog. They make noises like a wolf and tend to howl.

In ideal environment would be a home on a large fenced lot with no close by neighbors.

How to Train a Siberian Husky - 2 Things You Must Know!

There are a few things to know when figuring out how to train a Siberian Husky. They are very independent thinkers and this can really be a thorn in your side while you try to train them. This breed of dog was bred to to run, run, then run more.

Siberian huskies are independent thinkers.

If they see something that touches their interest (bird, bike, ball, you name it!) they will want to go chase/see/grab that object.
This is tied with a very strong hunter instinct, and was crucial to Siberian huskies survival when living on the frozen tundra in Siberia.
This can't be trained out of a husky, however you can use it to train them! if you have something they want because of their hunter instinct (This can be anything from a treat to a favorite toy), you can keep their attention, and once you have their attention it is insanely easy to train them.

Siberian huskies have an insatiable desire to run.
The breed was bred to run for upwards of 12 hours a day pulling a sled across huge expanses of land. Exercise will be absolutely crucial to training your Siberian husky.
If you exercise your Husky you will find that they are one hundred, no, a thousand times easier to train. They must have that need met in order to be well behaved. If that need isn't met, or you can't meet it, training a husky could be a very difficult thing for you to accomplish.

When keeping all this in mind, it becomes much easier to get through to your dog.

Siberian Husky Dog Breed

The Siberian Husky was originally developed in Northeast Asia by the Chukchi people, and at that time was named the Chukchi Husky. Although its ancestry is not known, this dog is definitely related to the Spitz family. Way back during the Alaskan Gold Rush, these dogs were extremely important to life in the Arctic regions. It was at that time that dog racing became an enjoyable pastime as a standard source of entertainment.

The popular Alaska Sweepstakes Race, which covered over 400 miles in the distance from Nome all the way to Candle, became an entrance for the Chukchi Huskies in 1909. These dogs did not really fare well in popularity at that time, however, there was one racer that was impressed with these animals and imported 70 of them to train for winning the 1910 race. Amazingly enough, his three teams of Huskies did indeed win first, second, and fourth-place. As you can probably guess, this immediately set the stage for the Siberian Husky to become the dominating winner for future races.

In 1925 the Siberian Husky started to show up in Canada and then soon after the United States. The AKC recognized this dog as an official breed in 1930. In World War II, a fair amount of Huskies served with soldiers for the US Army's search and rescue missions. This further helped its popularity among dog enthusiasts. Eventually it became a common household pet and of course remains the most popular of any Arctic dog breed in existence today.

Upkeep And Maintenance

The Siberian Husky can be described in so many ways. They are alert, independent, clever, and extremely adventurous. These dogs absolutely love to run long distances and unless thoroughly trained may tend to roam if left unattended. Siberian Huskies are well behaved around other house pets but may be a bit aggressive towards strange dogs outside.

Physical upkeep for this dog breed must require plenty of daily exercise, preferably with long jogs or better yet, off-leash running where it is safe for them to roam. A person with an active lifestyle will enjoy the companionship of a Siberian Husky. These are perfect pets to have if you live in an area where the weather is cold. They also enjoy pulling exercises, such as sleds and other objects.

Grooming requires just a thorough brushing once or twice per week. Their coat runs short, but may need daily brushing when experiencing times of heavy shedding.

Health Information

The Siberian Husky is a lucky dog breed in that it is generally very healthy with absolutely no major health concerns. Minor issues which may pop up, but are rare, include hypothyroidism, PRA, corneal dystrophy, and cataracts. Dog enthusiasts who become the proud owner of a Siberian Husky have a fortunate lifespan of 13 years to enjoy its companionship.