External parameters of the Alaskan husky, the manifestation of the temperament and health of the pet, care, organization of meals and walks. Puppy price. The Alaskan husky, or Alaskan husky, is not quite what purebred means. The animal determines only the purpose, which is manifested in its high efficiency. The Husky is a mixture of various northern varieties, selected specifically for breeding due to skills such as sled pulling ability, strength and endurance. Type specializations exist within the category, such as Mackenzie River husky, Malamute, Eurohound and distance Alaskan.
Alaskan husky are sled dogs suitable for world class sled dog racing. It is extremely difficult for northern varieties of pure blood to compare with them in terms of purity of speed. Sprint events such as the Fairbanks, Alaska Open North American Championship and Anchorage Fur Rendezvous invariably win teams of Alaskan Huskies or Alaskans crossed with hounds or gun dogs. Competitors are judged according to data such as speed and endurance. To win a high-speed sprint competition, dogs must go over 19 miles per hour (31 km / h) for three days at a speed of 20 to 30 miles (32-48 km).
Description of the external parameters of the Alaskan Husky breed
This variety, often also called "Alaskans", is not associated with a typical standard. Therefore, their appearance will vary from individual to individual. Each kennel or breeder breeds typical dogs within the "breeding farm". In general, dogs of medium and large size are used for racing, the weight of which is from 18, 15-27, 21 kilograms, and the height at the withers is from 58 to 42 66.04 centimeters.
- Head - cone-shaped, harmonious with the body of the dog. The forehead is broad and flat between the ears, with a moderate furrow between the eyes.
- Muzzle - rectangular, tapers towards the end. Lips with black or brown border. Strong jaws with teeth that close in a scissor bite.
- Nose - stands out. Has black or brown tone variations. Sometimes it can be colored non-uniformly, with a thickening of a dark tone to the contour.
- Eyes - approximately medium in size and almond-shaped. Basically, they are located at an average distance from each other. The colors are quite different from brown to yellow and blue.
- Ears Alaskan Husky is erect, triangular in shape, with pointed ends, dense cartilage. Placed high on the skull.
- Neck - well developed and powerful, with a gentle curve, without dewlap.
- Frame - rectangular, proportional, strong. The chest has good volume, which helps the dog when running long distances. The belly is tucked up. The back is muscular, the croup is voluminous.
- Tail - high, medium length, rolled up in a ring and located on the back. This means that the animals are actually classified as a Spitz dog.
- Front and hind limbs - strong, straight and powerful with well developed bones.
- Paws - oval, have well-curved fingers and strong claws.
- Coat Alaskan huskies, unlike Siberian huskies, which are naturally hardy and weather-resistant, are not as dense. But, nevertheless, he has a sufficient warming undercoat. Guard hair ranges from short to medium length to ensure efficient heat dissipation during racing.
- Coloration - can combine any possible colors, patterns or combinations inherent in dogs, since the color and markings do not mean anything to participants in racing events.
Alaskan husky temperament
The personality of the alaskan husky, as well as their appearance, will vary widely between individuals, depending on which lineages and traits of the "Siberian canines" have been bred and are dominant in their pedigrees. In general, it can be noted that such pets are quite vocal and affectionate animals. They have a natural tendency to "cuddle" with other blood brothers and people. Alaskan Husky puppies often approach a completely alien dog and try to draw all attention to themselves, and prefer that it be expressed in games, affection and tenderness.
Bouncing on newcomers is implied as a sign of affection, not dominance, and appears to be another common trait in this type of canine. As adventurous and curious dogs, they seem to be comfortable in the owner's car. They like to get to know new people, objects, other living beings and are in different situations. Since such pets are natural virtuoso fugitives, no fence can be too high for them. They are known to easily jump over a six-foot fence, and if dogs cannot overcome it in this way, they will squeeze into the smallest crevice, climb it or dig a tunnel to escape and explore new places. Digging is second nature to this type of dog and it is better not to leave him alone outside the house in the yard. As a rule, this leads to the "decoration" of the territory with pits.
Health features of the Alaskan husky
In general, the breed population is a fairly robust type of dog. However, in some individual lines, congenital health problems have been reported by breeders. Many Alaskan huskies carry diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), hypothyroidism, and cryptorchidism.
Another unusual, but sometimes observed condition is individuals who are born with congenital deformities of the larynx, the so-called "wheezing". It is believed to be a genetic defect. Dogs with this condition usually have difficulty breathing. Laryngeal injury develops when there is a loss of stiffness and support provided by the laryngeal cartilage, causing the larynx to deform and collapse. When this happens, an obstruction arises that contributes to the abnormal movement of air into the trachea. Injury to the larynx can lead to severe respiratory distress, which is most likely fatal to the affected animal.
Firstly, such a dog should not be allowed to be overweight. It will also be helpful to limit the amount of physical activity for your pet. Keep your dog in a cool or air-conditioned environment, especially during the warmer months of the year. Some dogs get much worse when they are agitated, so sedatives can be helpful.
Since laryngeal collapse is most often an anatomical abnormality of the upper airways, medical options are purely palliative. If the disease is not associated with other upper airway problems, surgical correction is recommended. Once such an intervention occurs, the prognosis becomes more rosy.
Surgical resection of inverted laryngeal sacs and abnormal folds of tissue around the epiglottis, a cartilaginous flap that is inverted to protect the airway when food or water is swallowed, may occur when the degree of collapse is moderately difficult. In more severe cases, a permanent opening must be created in the trachea to allow air to bypass obstructing upper airways (permanent tracheostomy).
Alaskan huskies were also bred so as not to be picky about a variety of foods. This means they tend to eat trash in their home environment, which can cause a number of digestive and poisoning problems.
Alaskan Husky Care Requirements
- Wool such pets tend to self-clean, like Alaskan Malamutes or Siberian Huskies. Therefore, they are not smelly and only need occasional bathing. Reduce the procedure to a minimum. You can do it not only with a gentle concentrate, but also use dry shampoo. When you wash your dog too often, you destroy the pet's protective oil. Arrange a "bath" only when it is absolutely necessary. After manipulation, make sure that the four-legged friend's fur is completely dry to prevent skin problems. They molt once a year in spring, as a seasonal one. The dog does not lose hair all year round. Regular brushing will not only help keep their coats in good condition, but also reduce the amount of fur the Alaskan sheds in your home. Consider using the "furminator" comb, which is an incredibly effective tool for extracting dead hair from the top coat and undercoat. Modern Alaskan huskies need dog coats, belly protectors or specialized dog booties to protect them from negative elements in cold or uneven terrain. Selective breeding with an emphasis on speed has created an animal that is quick to run, but requires significantly more care and attention to survive the harsh environmental conditions inherent in dog sled racing.
- Teeth Alaskans need basic hygiene procedures such as cleaning. It is carried out using a silicone brush and professional toothpaste. The manipulation is carried out every 2-3 days. If you give a four-legged friend dry food and pressed bones, this will create an additional preventive effect from dental plaque.
- Ears should be checked and cleaned from time to time to prevent inflammation and infection. Preparations for the procedure are selected individually. The tool is applied inside the auricle, and then wipe the outer side with a cotton sponge.
- Eyes these huskies do not need any pretentious manipulations. For light dirt, you just need to wipe them off with an anti-irritant product. Owners will need to be careful and constantly inspect their pet after walks, competitions or training. If you notice that the dog's eyes are injured, then he needs a specialist examination. After the conclusion of the veterinarian, treatment is prescribed.
- Claws and paws Alaskan huskies require special attention. Always check your pet's pillows after training to make sure they haven't got damaged when walking on rough terrain. Hot surfaces can severely burn paws, and rough areas can cut the skin of the pads. Look closely at and between each finger. Also double check the nails to make sure they are not so long, as this interferes with the natural movement of the limbs. In addition, dog paws have multiple sweat glands. A warm paw that becomes wet due to sweat when interacting with cold snow creates the effect of sticking between the toes, causing damage to the skin. For protection, you can use special booties. If you don't have them, just make sure right after training that your dog's paws are free of snow.
- Feeding - A mixture of commercial dog food and raw food is best. These canines require a high protein diet, so a balanced dry food composition combined with raw red meat can meet their dietary needs. You could spend most of your life researching canine food and trying to figure out which one is better. If you are unsure of what to feed your pet, consult your veterinarian. An experienced professional has a wealth of knowledge in the field of animal nutrition, which he would be happy to share with you. Never feed your pet with bones! They can injure the digestive tract and kill the Alaskan. A good rule of thumb is to add fat and protein during the colder months and when training your four-legged friend hard. Also, eating these elements should be excluded during the warm season. Remember that the Alaskan Husky should only be fed 30 minutes after exercise or walking, or four hours before. Doing this right before exercise can put your dog at risk of bloating and bloating. This serious condition can kill your dog.
- Walking. All alaskan husky are known to be exceptionally athletic dogs with high energy and amazing stamina. Representatives of the variety almost never get tired. Thus, these pets are poorly suited for urban apartment life or even small houses. This breed will require a lot of space, not only in the home, but in the aviary in the backyard, as well as a lot of time for targeted loads and walking. Healthy huskies need the equivalent of three to five miles of exercise four times a week. They can be in the form of running, playing with other brethren, swimming, or dog sled races such as bike riding and skijoring. Your pet may have energy that will work on the first day, but has no experience. When cycling, move slowly enough that your dog can work at an easy pace. Most individuals start moving too quickly and need to be controlled.
Like Siberian huskies, alaskan husky are prone to "wandering". A very fast and independent species should not be let off the leash as the animals will go exactly where they want to go.
Raising an Alaskan Husky
The exceptional intelligence and display of intelligence of the Alaskan Husky will vary from litter to litter depending on the dog's individual genetic makeup. Due to the inclusion of the greyhound in the breeding program, alaskan husky have exceptionally good eyesight and are avid small game hunters. This is another reason why they should not be released, since the dogs will immediately chase after the discovered animal when the opportunity presents itself.
This type of canine is known to be extremely motivated and voracious. It is something that can be used in the training process to easily get your pet to do the required task. Representatives of the variety, like many other species, were bred to fulfill a specific purpose. Therefore, such pets may not be the wisest choice for a potential owner who wants to keep them as a pet.
Alaskan husky price
The Alaskan Husky is extremely energetic, with a seemingly unquenchable stamina. This is not very good in a city apartment, since then a constant source of exercise is needed. The spacious house with a large yard is ideal for the species.
Alaskan husky that meet the high standards of performance in world class racing are tremendously prized. A top level lead dog can cost anywhere from $ 3,000 to $ 10,000. Alaskans who do not meet “working standards” are often sold much cheaper to less competitive “players”, which does not prevent them from continuing to work quite successfully.
Learn more about the breed from the following video:
