The first thing people ask me when I tell them about our upcoming pup is.....why in the world a husky??
(My brother-in-law especially thinks we are off our rocker because he owned one!; (more on this later)
Well firstly (and quite frankly & honestly).....I would have to say it is their aesthetic value. (Is that bad??)They are so beautiful, majestic, and regal looking. Their gorgeous piercing ice blue eyes (some are bi-eyed which means one blue eye and one brown eye, and some are even parti-eyed which means that part of one eye has two colors in it, very rare and unique). Their pricked up fuzzy ears. Their super thick doublecoat fur. In rich, deep colors such as black & white, or the red & copper (brown) varieties. Or the pure grey or silver tipped coats. Gorgeous! I have met many huskies in my day and every time I met one and was lucky enough to pet one, I made a little mental note that someday I would love to own one (and would name it Starbucks, but that is again, another post!). My oldest daughter Madi also has a special affinity for huskies......maybe partially by osmosis, but she is super excited we are finally getting a husky! My youngest two don't really seem to care, they are just happy we are getting a puppy of any kind! (My hubby was slightly pushing for an English Bulldog, but when he found out how much they are due to needing to be delivered by c-section due to their large heads, and their predisposition to snorting and wheezing and snoring....he quickly changed his mind! Lucky us!) Ok.....sidetracking....(warning: I will do that a lot....so stay with me......)
Anyway...back to the Siberian Husky..... in regards to their coats. There is another "type" or, variety if you will, of the husky and that is one with a "wooly" coat. The "Wooly Coat" simply means a slightly longer, thicker, much fluffier coat than the average coat for a Siberian. It is absolutely breathtaking, when it is the right length and thickness, though this type coat may not be considered "desirable" by "show" judges, and is not recognized by the AKC breed standards; they call this a fault. ( SAD!) I personally find this type of husky to be the most gorgeous, but they are extremely difficult to find, with just a few breeders across the country, but I was against shipping a 8 week old pup in a crate across United States.
The breeder we found here locally breeds some pups with a longer coat, but not as long as the "wooly" variety. But he/she will still be quite a fluff ball!
I know that the most important quality that draws me to a husky is it's unflappable loyalty to it's family or pack, and it's reputation as being one of the most friendliest and most people-oriented breeds around. So no guard dog for us! (Not that I was looking for one anyway). But if an intruder would ever (God forbid) happen to find his way into our home, the worst our lovely husky would ever to is lick him to death! And then he (our sweet friendly dog) would probably invite him to help himself to anything he desired as long as there was some playtime involved! A husky's even & friendly temperament, and ability to get along with anyone, has to do with their background and history. Way back in time, several thousand years ago, the women and children of the Chuchki tribe; a primitive Eskimo-like tribe in Siberia, raised the dogs and were responsible for their daily care, and the children were encouraged to play with the dogs often. So, the breed adapted quickly to family life and became accustomed to much interaction with humans & most especially children. They make one of the best breeds to have around kids!
They are also one of the most intelligent breeds around. This can be a good thing, but can also be a bad thing; depending on how you look at it and how ready you are to outsmart them and be always be one step ahead. They are easily trained unless you show them that you are the weaker link. Then they will definitely try to take over the roost. You HAVE to show them that you are the leader of the pack! So...I will be the ALPHA! ( That's kinda funny to me....can't really explain why) but I will make sure he/she knows that without question!
So then why....do you ask....do people have such a shocked reaction when we tell them we have chosen a husky pup.
Well....it's probably because they know that as sled dogs, the breed has a strong desire for speed! Yep...to run. And to run and run and run. Run 1000's of miles before even glancing back. It is therefore strongly advised that you NEVER take your husky dog off-leash....EVER! Even if you think you have trained the best, most well-mannered, most command- following dog ever, you should not let a husky off it's leash!! So.....we won't! Better to know and be prepared, than to be chasing our pup to Alaska!
They apparently also have an attraction to ....yes you guessed it......DIGGING! ( Much to my husband's dismay....but hey....the deposit is non-refundable! Lucky me again!) I however am going to make it my mission in life to curb this particular habit or hobby, and replace it with a more acceptable form of releasing that natural dog energy. Not yet quite sure how.....but I will research and experiment till I find something that works, both in the best interest of our yard and our pups needs. (Some books suggest setting up a sandbox that is strictly for the dog to dig in.) (and Zoe of course!) ( What a cute picture that makes in my mind!)
And lastly.....all that gorgeous fluffy double-coat fur has to go somewhere in the summer right? Yes...they shed! It is warned that they will drop their undercoat at least once, sometimes twice a year. And when I say drop....I mean DUMP!! (Not sure my hubby knows about this one yet, but he will now!) So....it is suggested that to keep up with it, and to alleviate wearing it....that you brush your dog daily during these shedding seasons! I figure between the 5 of us....we can easily accomplish this. Besides...I have always loved brushing our dogs...it's a very calming activity and notice that the dogs love it too! And think of all the local backyard bird nests we will be providing warmth for! ( See....there's a bright side to everything!!)
However...they are also one of the most meticulous dogs on the planet. Much like cats do, they clean themselves, and naturally desire to be clean and free of debris. They very rarely need baths, and apparently have surprisingly little "doggy" smell. (which isn't always THAT bad)
After all is said and done...I definitely feel that the more desirable traits in a husky, far outweigh the lesser ones! And there is almost always a solution to any issue!
We are very much looking forward to the bond we will form with our new little pup, and look forward to any challenges he will present us with, knowing that whatever we face together will only brings us closer, and the experiences will only make us stronger and all the more wiser! And I'm banking on the fact that on the way I will learn a lot about myself! Dogs have a naturally uncanny way of teaching humans a lesson or two.
And in regards to my brother-in-law's views on it...I know he's just giving us a head's up warning, but I am up to the challenge of disproving his theory! With great attention, and positive and consistent training, lots of physical and mental exercise, we will have the perfect husky dog! ( Don't make me eat those words pup!)
I also believe each dog is different, regardless of breed characteristics,......... just like all of us.
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