The Alaskan Husky is not truly a “breed” of dog in the traditional sense. The name is actually a classification for this working and sledding dog. There is no written breed standard for Alaskan Huskies and it is not a registered breed or show dog. Alaskan Huskies are descendants of several dogs: Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Border Collie, German Shepard, and possibly a few others.
Most Alaskan Huskies have brown eyes, but they can also have blue or blue-brown combinations. They stand around 20 to 24 inches tall and weigh on average around 35 to 65 pounds, giving them a slim build. Since this dog is used primarily for work, colors and markings are not important in breeding and vary greatly from dog to dog. Alaskan Huskies can be pure black, totally white, and everything in between. The tails can be long and curly or just barely there. The ears are often pointed ears, but some Alaskan Huskies have floppy ears.
They don’t need much maintenance, as their coats tend to be short to medium in length, but they do require additional brushing twice a year during shedding season (particularly in the spring when shedding is heaviest). The coats are woolly and thick (a protective measure when in their native environment), so they are better suited to cooler climates. With an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, the Alaskan Husky is good with children, but not with other household pets as they have a strong hunting instinct and can turn on them. Although playful, affectionate, and generally docile, the Alaskan Husky does not make a good indoor pet. They can be difficult to housebreak and get bored easily, especially if left alone. Alaskan Huskies will become destructive, tearing things up or running in circles. They also need plenty of room to run around as they have a lot of energy and need to exercise often.
If outside, Alaskan Huskies need to be watched closely as they will dig under fences to hunt or run. They are also not good watchdogs as they will greet everyone with friendly barks and have been known to play with any strangers that enter their territory. As a result of their mixed heritage, Alaskan Huskies have relatively few health problems, although some are prone to gastric torsion (bloat) and if they don’t get enough exercise, they will quickly become obese, leading to other health problems .
There is a website that has great information on Alaskan Huskies and most other dog breeds. It has details related to dog breeds’ health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices, and more. The website is called: Cat and Dog Information, and can be found at this URL:
http://www.dogandcatfacts.com
By Robert W. Benjamin
Copyright © 2006
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