They were bred primarily for herding livestock, but today they are known as working dogs.
Although there are four recognized breeds of huskie, the Siberian Husky (SH) is by far the most popular.
The breed originated from the northern regions of Russia and Alaska.
In fact, the Siberian Husky was used to help transport goods over long distances between towns and villages because they had an innate desire to go fast and travel long distances.
In addition, they would not stop running until they reached their destination.
This trait made them excellent sled dogs.
As time went on, these dogs became more valuable as they learned how to work with humans.
They helped people get around in the winter months when other animals cannot survive.
Eventually, the dogs were used for hunting, pulling carts, and even police work.
Today, the Siberian Husky is still prized as one of the oldest working dog breeds.
They can be found all over the world, including Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Even though they have been bred for centuries, the Siberian Husky has only a few genetic differences from its original form.
The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized dog that stands about 42 inches tall.
Weight varies depending on age and sex, but they typically weigh between 45 and 65 pounds.
Their coat color varies greatly from person to person, but it usually comes in shades of brown, black, red, or blue.
Siberian Huskies are very athletic dogs.
Some experts say that they are among the fastest dogs in the world!
Because they have such strong legs, huskies can run up to 40 miles per hour.
Their thick coats also make them resistant to extreme temperatures, which makes them ideal for cold weather climates.
When it comes to temperament, huskies are friendly and gentle.
However, if someone does something to upset them, they will quickly become aggressive.
Despite this behavior, huskies are loyal and loving, and they will often seek shelter under your arm if they feel threatened.
If you own a husky, you can take advantage of their loyalty, friendliness, and athleticism.
These traits make huskies great family pets and excellent companions for children.
They are also good guard dogs and excellent water retrievers.
Appearance
Husky puppies tend to look like miniature adults.
They grow rapidly during the first year and then slow down slightly.
As they mature, they lose some of their puppy fat and gain muscle mass.
Their ears are large, triangular, and floppy.
The fur on their bodies is dense and curly, and it grows longer as they reach adulthood.
The hair on their faces is short, while their tails are bushy and covered in hair.
A husky’s eyes are almond shaped and have dark brown skin.
The Siberian Husky’s head is round with a flat top.
Its muzzle is square and wide, and its nose is small.
Its body is muscular and compact and has a broad chest and shoulders.
The back of the neck is long and the tail is rounded.
Health Concerns
One health concern that many people associate with huskies is eye problems.
There are three types of eye conditions that affect huskies.
One type causes blindness, another is called brachycephalic syndrome, and the third is entropion.
The first two kinds of eye problems are caused by the shape of the nose.
Brachycephalic syndrome occurs when a dog’s nostrils are too narrow.
The condition leads to breathing difficulties and sometimes death.
Entropion is another problem that affects dogs with brachycephalic syndrome.
Entropion occurs when the eyelids turn inward, making it difficult for the eyes to open and close properly.
This condition can lead to corneal ulcerations.
The condition can be corrected with surgery, but it can be painful and expensive.
Another common health issue is hip dysplasia.
Siberian Huskies are prone to this disorder because they have a short rear leg.
Hip dysplasia prevents proper movement of the hips and can cause arthritis.
While their coats vary from breed to breed, huskies typically have thick, dense undercoats and guard hairs.
The hair on their faces and legs tends to be lighter than that on their backs and chests.
A husky’s coat may be black, brown, white, cream, red, gray, or blue.
Most huskies have a double coat.
This means that while the undercoat is very thick, the outercoat is not as thick.
Some huskies may lack an undercoat altogether.
The average lifespan of a husky is about ten years.
Most will live into their teens, though some older huskies have been known to last up to twenty years.
Like all dogs, huskies are prone to a number of health problems.
The Temperament of Huskies
It was the sound of the wind that first alerted me to the presence of my new companion.
I had just arrived home from work and was settling into the couch when I heard a low whimpering coming from somewhere nearby.
I walked over to the bedroom where I found my husky, Taz, lying on his side with his head resting on my legs.
He had been crying silently but now he was sniffling loudly as he lay there.
He looked up at me with tear-filled eyes and gave a slight whine.
I patted him gently on the top of his head and said, “Oh, Taz, what’s wrong?”
“I need to go outside,” he replied.
I opened the door and let him out.
As soon as he saw the snow covered yard he immediately began to run around in circles barking happily and then jumped back into the house and settled down at my feet again.
Taz was a stray dog who came to live with us after he was rescued by our local humane society.
We adopted him because we wanted a large breed dog to play with our two small children.
The shelter told us that he was a very gentle, affectionate dog, so we decided to give him a chance with our kids.
After about three months, I noticed that he didn’t seem quite himself.
His tail would wag erratically and he seemed jumpy and nervous.
I thought it might have something to do with his age (he was almost 14 years old), so I took him to the vet.
She did some tests and assured me that everything was fine — he just needed to adjust to living with humans.
But every time I went outside he would follow me around like a lost puppy.
Sometimes he would sit right next to me while I worked on the computer, just staring at me intently.
And when I got home he would always want to be beside me while I was watching TV.
Then one day, I came home and he was sitting on my lap.
I asked him what was going on and he just kept looking up at me with those big brown eyes and giving little whimpers.
I petted him and he laid down on his belly and rested his head on my leg.
When I tried to get up he pushed himself up with his front paws and sat at my feet again.
That was the moment I realized that Taz wasn’t just adjusting to life with us.
He was actually becoming part of our family.
He still needed lots of love and attention, but he was also showing signs of being a devoted member of the pack.
He loved to cuddle up with us during the night and if we were sleeping he would lie right next to us.
He was even starting to sleep through the day!
I’ve learned a lot about huskies since I’ve owned this dog.
They are loyal, playful, smart, loving, affectionate, protective and intelligent.
Here are some of the things you should know about huskies.
1. They Are Intelligent and Loving
They are known as “the thinking dog” because they are extremely intelligent.
They are capable of learning many commands and tricks and will do them without hesitation.
If you teach them one command, they’ll learn more than you ever dreamed possible.
This makes them great guard dogs because they will remember a command long after you’ve forgotten it.
2. They Are Loyal and Protective
They love to please people and will make friends easily with other animals.
But they are fiercely protective of their families and will defend them against any threat.
There is nothing that will break their loyalty to their owner once they’ve made an emotional commitment to them.
3. They Love to Play
They are highly active dogs and love to run, swim, chase balls and toys, wrestle, roll and fetch sticks and rocks.
They’re happiest when they’re playing with others.
They never tire of having fun.
4. They Are Gentle and Affectionate
They are very affectionate toward each other and people.
They enjoy human companionship and will usually become attached to one person and stay close to them.
In fact, huskies are often called “man’s best friend.”
5. They Are Lively and Trainable
They are lively, happy-go-lucky dogs who love to have fun.
They’re not afraid of anything and are eager to learn new tricks and games.
Once they catch the idea, they’ll keep up with you all day long.
6. They Are Sensitive and Loving
They are sensitive and loving.
They’re good listeners and usually pick up on the emotions of others.
They understand body language well and can read faces to determine how someone feels.
They love to help others feel better and will often make themselves sick if they think that they can help someone else in trouble.
7. They Are Good Mates for Children
They are excellent with younger children.
They are patient with young kids and love to play with them.
They’re friendly and playful with adults too, but they prefer children.
They don’t mind sharing their food or treats with other dogs either.
8. They Are Great Companions For Older People
If you want a dog who will keep you company and cheer you up when you’re lonely, look no further.
They’re wonderful companions for older people.
They’re gentle and respectful of their elders’ feelings.
They will sit quietly with you while you watch TV or read.
9. They Have Strong Bonds With Their Owners
They bond closely with their owners.
They are extremely loyal and devoted to their people.
You’ll find yourself talking to your husky constantly whenever you see each other.
They are always ready to lend a paw when you need help.
They will even stand guard at your feet when you’re asleep.
Why Huskies Sit at Our Feet
Your husky may be sitting at your feet for a variety of reasons. It could be seeking attention, trying to protect you, or simply be seeking comfort. If your husky is sitting at your feet, it’s important to try to figure out why so you can best respond to their needs. There are many different breeds of dogs that sit at our feet, including the Australian Cattle Dog and the American Eskimo Dog. However, in the United States, two particular breeds dominate the market, the Siberian Husky and the Malamute. The Siberian Husky has been bred over time to have specific traits that make them excellent companions. While the Malamute has been bred primarily as a sled dog, there are some who still use them as companion dogs today. So what makes these two breeds so different? Is one better than the other? Let’s take a look.
Conclusion
Huskies are loyal dogs, and they love nothing more than coming when called.
They are known to be protective of their humans, but sometimes they just want to sit there and be near.
If you have a husky, be sure to read this article so you understand why they like to sit at our feet, and then remember that it’s OK if they do!
Do you know the difference between a lap dog and a foot dog? Do you think your husky is a lap dog or a foot dog?
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
