Huskies are one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, sharing a common ancestor with wolves. This may make them sound wild and dangerous. However, huskies are domesticated animals and do not share the same traits as their wild cousins. Having said that, many people wonder whether or not huskies are good with kids. Let’s explore together in this article.
What is a husky?
Many people believe the husky to be one breed. Despite this popular belief, husky actually refers to a type of dog, specifically sled dogs. Husky breeds include:
- Siberian husky
- Alaskan husky
- Alaskan malamute
- Samoyed
- Greenland dog
- Chinook dog
Husky breeds are those domesticated and bred to pull sleds across snow and to protect villagers from predators such as wolves and bears. Huskies are believed to have been first bred in Siberia, hence the name of the most common breed, the Siberian husky.
Sled teams first brought huskies to Alaska in 1909 to compete in races. In 1925 there was an outbreak of diphtheria, but the affected village was cut off by heavy snowfall. As a result, several dog sled teams worked in tandem to get lifesaving medication from Nenana across a 674-mile journey to the village of Nome.
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It took the teams almost 6 days to complete the trek, including more than 150 dogs. This brought worldwide acclaim to the huskies and they soon became a favourite among households across the US including those with kids. Read on to find out more about husky temperament.
Huskies and Their Temperament
People know husky dogs for their boundless energy. This is due to their breeding as they needed good endurance to pull sleds. Husky type dogs require lots of exercise, at least 2 hours of off-lead exercise per day.
In addition, they also require consistent and regular training as they can be stubborn dogs. Huskies tend to closely bond with one family member in particular, although they have a generally friendly disposition towards anyone they know.
Huskies are great dogs for families and they are naturally gentle with kids. It is important that children are taught how to behave correctly around dogs to prevent any unnecessary nips caused by the dog becoming frustrated or nervous.
Potential husky owners should know that these breeds are very vocal. Huskies are known as ‘talkers’ as they howl and chatter a lot.
Caring for a Husky
Looking after a husky is easy and very rewarding. Besides plenty of daily exercise and training, huskies will need a high protein, low fat diet. This is to support their high energy drive and to prevent them gaining weight.
Many husky owners will keep their dogs on a vet recommended diet as they are susceptible to digestive troubles such as food intolerances and allergies.
Huskies also have thick coats, so they should be brushed every other day. Moreover, owners should trim their nails every 6 weeks to prevent overgrowth and injury.
Heterochromia, or 2 different coloured eyes, is a common condition in husky breeds, but it does not affect their vision. Huskies are prone to joint conditions such as knee and hip dysplasia.
Regardless of whether or not you have kids, huskies are a good companion for any member of the family and caring for them can be very rewarding.
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