Features of caring for a husky: can it be kept in an apartment and outdoors + how to feed it correctly

The Siberian Husky breed has gained popularity all over the world due to its unusual bright appearance, active and good-natured disposition.

If you decide to buy yourself a puppy of this breed, do not hesitate - you will not just buy a dog, but a friend for life.

Is it suitable for living in an apartment?

Although huskies are large dogs , their size makes it quite possible to keep them in city apartments, but only on condition of regular active walks and providing the necessary level of physical activity .

If possible, it is better to install a cage or a small enclosure in the apartment where you can lock your pet while the owners are away. This will help avoid damage to furniture and other property, which can happen if the husky gets bored alone.

Even if you have a cage or enclosure, you should not leave your dog alone for a long time..

Representatives of this breed tolerate frost well, but do not like heat. Therefore, in summer it is better to walk them either early in the morning or in the evening.

If you can only take your dog outside during the day, you should choose a shaded place for a walk.

These dogs can withstand the sun for a maximum of 1 hour; longer exposure to the sun can lead to severe overheating..

It is also important to ensure that your pet has constant access to clean, drinking, cool water.

Advantages and disadvantages

Husky adapts quite quickly to living in a limited area. But keeping such large dogs in a city apartment still has not only advantages, but also a number of disadvantages.

The main advantages of this type of content include:

• constant contact between owner and dog;
• continuous involvement of the pet in the life of the owner and his family, which has a positive effect on the mental health of huskies who need communication;
• An energetic and cheerful four-legged friend nearby will not let you get bored or feel lonely.

In addition, the inherent cleanliness of representatives of this breed will be even more developed, the pet will grow up patient, since he will need to wait until the owner takes him for a walk.

Disadvantages of keeping a husky in an apartment:

• the need for even more strict education, which does not allow any mistakes, so that the dog learns to behave carefully and with restraint;
• heavy molting, occurring twice a year;
• in case of lack of attention and insufficient amount of physical activity, the pet may, out of boredom, damage the owner’s furniture, shoes and other property.

Also, do not forget about the tendency of these dogs to howl for a long time, which can lead to complaints from neighbors.

Price

How much does a husky cost today? A puppy with documents (and a purebred dog should only be bought with documents, otherwise it makes no sense.

With the same success, you can buy a mongrel similar to your grandma husky, with behavior unusual for the breed) you can buy for twenty thousand rubles.

This seems quite affordable, but we should not forget that we pay for a pet throughout its life , and not just once. He will need good nutrition, most of which is fresh, quality meat. The services of veterinarians will also be required, even if your family pet is completely healthy, he will need to be vaccinated and periodically taken for preventive examinations.

Is it suitable for outdoor use?

Street keeping is the most suitable option for representatives of this breed..

The husky's coat allows them to easily withstand even severe frosts, so these dogs can live outside throughout the year.

The territory in which the dog lives should be fenced with a high fence, since the husky will easily jump over a small fence in an effort to break free.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of street maintenance include:

• strong immunity and thick, shiny coat, due to the dog’s constant exposure to the fresh air;
• the dog has the opportunity to play at any time;
• Huskies get the freedom of movement they need so much;
• there is no need to accustom your pet to the tray;
• Walks outside the yard may be shorter.

Disadvantages of such content:

• dogs in need of communication have less contact with their owner;
• it is necessary to carefully fence the area so that the pet cannot jump over the fence or dig under the ground and escape;
• building a spacious enclosure and kennel that a dog needs requires financial costs.

In addition, we must not forget that even if kept on the street, huskies will not become guard dogs.

History of the breed

Husky is the shortened name for the Siberian Husky breed. It was bred by the Chukchi people in a very difficult and unfavorable climate. Huskies are very hardy dogs that can quickly cover significant distances and at the same time carry loads. Since the animals are small in size, the Chukchi harnessed them to teams of fifteen to seventeen individuals.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the USSR compiled a register of all breeds living in the country. For some reason, the Husky was not included there due to its size, as an unsuitable breed for transporting goods. Soon it assimilated with other breeds and practically disappeared.

The purity of the breed was preserved only due to the fact that huskies were brought to the USA to take part in annual races in Alaska. And now, these beautiful and intelligent dogs have finally gained their well-deserved popularity.

Basic rules of care

Huskies are unpretentious dogs.

They do not require complex care and all manipulations necessary to maintain the external attractiveness and health of the pet are reduced to a set of hygiene procedures, including:

• the washing up;
• combing;
• trimming nails;
• cleaning teeth and ears;
• rubbing the eyes.

The dog must also be vaccinated according to schedule and treated against fleas, ticks and helminths.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

The main thing that representatives of this breed need is regular active walks. Unable to get rid of the energy accumulated during the day, huskies suffer both psychologically and physically. It must be remembered that these are active dogs bred to work, so they need physical activity. Also, hygiene procedures, vaccination and treatment against parasites should not be neglected.

Instead of an afterword

Huskies are very affectionate towards their owners. Communication with people is very important for them. This breed is not suitable as a guard, but it will become a wonderful friend who will only bring joy and warmth from communication.

Husky has a completely unusual voice timbre. They make soft and melodic sounds, it doesn’t sound like barking at all. There is an opinion that their voice can even calm a crying child. If you are ready and able to provide your dog with good care and proper upbringing, then you will not find a better friend. Moreover, animals are great with children.

Where is the dog's private place in the house?

The pet needs to have a place where it can sleep or just relax. In the case of a husky, it is better to choose a cool place, for example, a spacious corner in the hallway with a tiled floor.

CAREFULLY!

But the dog should not sleep on the bare floor - prolonged lying on a hard surface can lead to the formation of bedsores.

The best option is a wooden platform at a height of 20-30 cm from the floor, a special mattress or bed.

The sleeping place must match the size of the dog so that it feels comfortable when stretched out to its full height.

Mental capacity

Huskies are very smart dogs. They intuitively feel and understand the meaning of many words. Animals even understand human facial expressions. Their intelligence is enough to solve simple puzzles. With some training, a husky can even open simple bolts on doors. Dogs even try to manipulate humans, wanting to receive praise and treats. Sometimes they try to hide their bad deeds. In general, the animals are quite smart and have a sense of humor; you won’t be bored with a husky.

How to feed

The basic rule of feeding a husky that must be followed is that the diet must be balanced, based either on natural products or on industrial food, since mixed nutrition is unacceptable.

With a natural diet, the pet must be given:

• lean meat;
• offal;
• sea ​​fish;
• eggs;
• dairy products;
• animal and vegetable fats;
• vegetables, fruits, herbs;
• cereals;
• "sugar" bones.

As an additional source of calcium, you should include a small amount of eggshells in your dog's menu.

Banned for Huskies:

• confectionery, sweets, chocolate;
• grapes and raisins;
• pork, lamb;
• pickles, smoked meats;
• citrus;
• potato;
• milk;
• spicy, salty food;
• tubular bones;
• River fish;
• bread and baked goods;
• pasta;
• legumes;
• salo;
• nuts.

The diet of an adult dog must contain at least 70% meat or meat products.

In cases where feeding is based on industrial feeds, you should buy products of at least premium class.

The most popular foods suitable for representatives of this breed are Nutra Gold, Advance, Purina Pro Plan (Sensitive Salmon, Medium Robust Health, Medium Robust, Medium Puppy Sensitive), Royal Canin, Happy Dog (Maxi Baby and Nature Croq).

Plant food

Vegetables, fruits and berries are needed as a source of fiber, vitamins, microelements, to cleanse the intestines and form stool. The table contains a list of vegetables that can be given to huskies without fear:

Vegetables are added to the meat raw, chopped on a grater. Fruits and berries are offered as treats if the dog likes them.

How often should you go for walks? How long should you walk?

You can start walking your dog no earlier than the end of the quarantine period after vaccination, i.e. at about 3 months.

Puppies be taken outside 15 minutes after feeding, approximately 5-6 times a day .

Adult representatives of the breed can be walked twice a day. The longer the walks last, the better, but if time is limited, the duration of the walk should be 1-1.5 hours, while the morning walk may be shorter than the evening walk.

Walks should be active and include:

• running without a leash in specialized fenced areas;
• communication with other animals;
• elements of training.

After intensive walks and physical exercises, the dog will sleep soundly and will not have the strength to misbehave in the house.

What to buy for a new family member

How to care for a husky: keeping in a private home, education

The appearance of a dog in the house is always a joy. But you need to prepare for the arrival of a new tenant.

Collar and electric collar

The collar for the dog is selected individually. For walks, it is better to immediately accustom the puppy to a harness. If the dog pulls hard and behaves too energetically, a strict collar will do.

Glowing collars

Note! An electric collar is used in the most extreme cases for completely uncontrollable animals. Before choosing such a training method, it is necessary to consult with a competent dog handler.

Muzzle

No dog likes to be muzzled, and that's a fact. Huskies are no exception. The presence of a muzzle is mandatory in several cases:

• It is mandatory to wear a muzzle in public places, this is the law;
• if the dog is aggressive towards people and other animals;
• If the dog is prone to picking up on the street, a muzzle is a safety feature.

For your information! Instead of a muzzle, you can use a halti - a special halter for dogs.

Walking harness

A harness is normal equipment for a husky. Thanks to the harness, the dog harmoniously distributes the load and does not choke itself when jerking. The most important thing in choosing a harness is that it can be adjusted individually.

Leash

A leash 3-5 m long would be ideal for walking with a four-legged friend. You should pay attention that the leash is rubberized, such equipment will last longer. It is better not to use tape measures, as they are bulky, inconvenient, and it is not always possible to hold the tape measure when the dog jerks.

How to toilet train a puppy? How to stop shitting in your apartment?

You need to place as many newspapers or diapers in the house as possible, especially near doors, windows and in places where the puppy craps most often.

Over time, the number of diapers needs to be reduced until one remains, which needs to be gradually moved to a place that the owner has designated as the pet's toilet . When the husky remembers the place of the toilet, the diaper should be replaced with a tray.

You should not physically punish your puppy for urinating in the wrong place. It will be enough to verbally show dissatisfaction.

When your baby is allowed to go for walks, you will need to take him outside after each feeding and not return home until he goes to the toilet..

Owner reviews

A few reviews:

• “My blue-eyed friend named Jack is simply perfect. We live together in a two-room apartment. He has one room and I have one. Since I work as a remote programmer, we spend a lot of time together, even traveling. There couldn't be a better dog for me."
• “This monster gnawed through the door while my wife and I were at work. We work a lot and we don't have time to hang out with him all the time. Yes, and you also need to rest. In the end, we came to the conclusion that huskies were not for us and got ourselves a cat.”

How to trim claws correctly and when?

Huskies that live outside spend many hours a day “on their paws,” so their nails wear down on their own. The same thing happens with dogs kept in apartments that often walk outside for a long time.

In all other cases, the pet's claws need to be trimmed so that they are not too long.

IMPORTANT!

If this is not done, the claws begin to prevent the dog from walking and placing its paws correctly, which leads to pain, lameness and improper distribution of the load on the tendons and joints.

The procedure needs to be carried out on average once every 3-4 weeks, more often in winter, since even with regular walks the claws do not touch hard ground.

For trimming you will need a quality nail clipper . You should not skimp on it, since a bad tool breaks and crumbles the claws, which causes them to separate and crack.

You need to cut the claws at the angle of their natural growth, removing literally a few millimeters at a time, so as not to touch the blood vessels.

The sharp edge should be filed with a file to avoid delamination of the claw.

Before trimming, you can soak the dog’s paws in warm water - the nails will become softer and the procedure will be faster and easier.

Paws

The claws are trimmed with a nail clipper when they grow to the floor and begin to clatter. The frequency of procedures is determined by yourself. City dogs have their claws partially worn down on the asphalt. If the dog only walks on the ground and grass, they grow back faster and are pruned more often.

Husky claws are cut at an angle, as in the first picture.

The fur between the toes is carefully trimmed. In summer, dirt accumulates between the pads; in winter, ice balls stick and interfere with running. Trimmed paws are easier to wash after walks.

In spring, summer and autumn you need to choose a remedy for ixodid ticks: drops, collar or tablets.

How to properly clean your ears

Huskies have erect ears, so there are much fewer problems with them than breeds with floppy ears . However, it is necessary to monitor their health and clean them regularly.

If your pet's ears become inflamed, make a squelching sound, or smell unpleasant, you should contact your veterinarian.

You need to clean your dog's ears on average once every 2-3 weeks, for this you need:

• lay the pet on its side;
• drop a special lotion into his ear;
• massage the auricle for 1-2 minutes, stimulating the softening of earwax and dirt;
• Wipe your ear with a cotton pad soaked in boiled water or the same lotion, removing wax and dirt.

You should not use cotton swabs to clean your ears, as this can push dirt and wax deeper into the ear.

Dairy products

Fermented milk products are given as a separate feeding instead of meat. They improve the composition of the gastrointestinal microflora and enrich the diet with calcium.

Huskies can be given fermented milk products without sugar except sour cream:

• cottage cheese up to 5% fat;
• kefir;
• curdled milk;
• fermented baked milk;
• yogurt without additives.

To enrich the food with vitamins and microelements, it is useful to add to the main dishes:

• raw chicken, quail egg – 3 times a week;
• sunflower, flaxseed oil – 1 teaspoon per serving of food;
• bran;
• greenery.

Always leave a bowl of clean water freely available. The dog will decide for himself how much and when to drink.

Grooming. What is husky fur an indicator of?

Representatives of this breed cannot be cut or trimmed; the husky's coat only needs to be combed every 2-3 days with a slicker or brush, and during seasonal shedding daily with a comb, comb and furminator.

First, the coat must be moistened with water, then combed along the hair growth from head to tail, and then in the opposite direction. When all the wool has been combed against the hair growth, you need to lightly brush it while styling it. At the very end, you should comb the tail.

Regular brushing eliminates the possibility of matting and tangles.

With proper coat care, females shed 2 times a year, males - 1 time every 1.5 years.

Husky fur has a unique structure, thanks to which these dogs not only tolerate frosts down to -60 ° C without problems, but are also able to warm people with their warmth, something that Eskimos often used in the past.

According to scientists from the University of Alaska, the husky's coat can help detect mercury pollution in the environment, being an indicator of the presence of mercury..

Description of the breed

Huskies are medium-sized dogs. Males reach from 53 to 60 centimeters at the withers. The husky girl has more modest dimensions (up to 56 centimeters). The weight of the animals does not exceed 28 kilograms.

The most common colors are black and white and gray and white, but brown and white colors are much less common. Very often, representatives of this breed have a white or black mask around the eyes and a double vertical stripe in the forehead area.

An adult husky is a very hardy animal with a strong and compact build. Dogs have very thick, short hair. The ears are erect.

How to bathe correctly and how often it should be done

The husky's coat is capable of self-cleaning, so representatives of this breed do not need frequent washing. The only thing you need to do regularly is wash the paws and belly of a dog living in an apartment after every walk.

You need to thoroughly wash your pet no more than once a quarter, using shampoo that matches the type and color of the coat .

First, you should thoroughly wet the topcoat and undercoat, then apply shampoo, lather it and rinse thoroughly with water, making sure that it does not get into the pet’s ears and eyes.

Before bathing your puppy for the first time, you need to lay a rubber mat on the bottom of the bathtub so that the dog’s paws do not slip..

After bathing, the dog should be dried with a terry towel and thoroughly dried with a hairdryer so that the undercoat does not remain wet.

How to brush your teeth?

There is an opinion that since huskies have good health, there is no need to take care of the teeth and the general condition of the oral cavity of these dogs. This is wrong. The quality of primary food processing and its preparation for digestion depends on the condition and health of the teeth.

Poorly chewed food can lead to serious problems associated with your pet's gastrointestinal tract..

Diseased teeth provoke the formation and development of bacteria and toxins, which can get not only into the dog’s nose and ears, but even into the heart and lungs, and cause the development of inflammatory processes.

This is an indication that your husky has dental problems.:

• unpleasant odor from the mouth;
• redness of the gums;
• swelling of the muzzle:
• the appearance of blood or pus in saliva;
• noticeable damage to teeth;
• exposure of tooth roots.

To avoid such problems, it is necessary to take care of your pet’s teeth from puppyhood, preventing the appearance of plaque, which can lead to periodontal disease.

It is necessary to brush your pet's teeth daily using a special brush and toothpaste designed for dogs . It is important to ensure that the movements of the brush are not directed across the axis of the tooth.

You also need to regularly give your dog bones, tendons and other chewable objects - they help mechanically clean the teeth, which prevents the formation of plaque and tartar.

Breeding

Huskies are bred in nurseries. Owners who decide to take on this matter on their own should know that childbirth in a primiparous female is difficult, so it would be a good idea to enlist the help of a veterinarian. Otherwise, you need to be prepared for surprises during birth and to provide assistance to the mother and puppies.

Siberian beauties

Absolutely healthy individuals are selected for mating. Before mating, deworming must be done.

When a husky begins her first heat, her activity increases, and the bitch may show some aggressiveness. It is necessary to examine the external genitalia daily. The loop increases in size and bleeding appears.

The day of hunting is determined for each bitch individually. The generally accepted scheme: 9th or 11th day, does not always work. While stroking the female's hips, press on the lower back, closer to the croup. If the dog is tense, stands motionless, moves its tail to the side or up - it is ready for mating.

Features and conditions of living on the street

Caring for a street dog is practically no different from caring for a pet living in an apartment. He also needs to be bathed, combed, teeth and ears cleaned, regularly treated for external parasites and dewormed.

It is necessary to build a spacious enclosure for the husky, which will not limit the freedom of the animal . It needs to be carefully strengthened around the perimeter, and a durable covering of wooden boards or tiles should be laid on the ground.

NOTE!

It is important to keep the enclosure clean and ensure that the dog does not drag foreign objects into it that could injure him.

You also need to make sure that the dog has enough toys and constant access to water.

In winter, you should insulate the booth with blankets or rugs, and in summer, on the contrary, lighten it . Also, in the summer, it is necessary to equip a canopy in the yard so that the pet can hide under it from the scorching sun.

Can you keep it on a chain?

Huskies are active, cheerful dogs that need to be in constant contact with other animals and people; they need freedom..

In addition, representatives of this breed lack protective and watchdog instincts, and attempts to develop them and turn good-natured huskies into watchdogs negatively affect their psyche.

Huskies cannot be kept on a chain . On a leash, dogs do not have the opportunity to move freely, communicate and take part in the life of the family.

Such restrictions negatively affect not only the animal’s mental state, but also its overall health. Constantly keeping a dog on a chain dooms a dog to a life of depression and suffering.

At the same time, you should remember the characteristics of the husky , which consist in the desire to dig holes and jump over the fence in order to walk freely .

Therefore, for the safety of the pet, it can be tied up while the owners are away from home. But even in this case, the chain must be long enough - at least 4-6 m.

Sports equipment: sled, sled, sledge, harness

Features of a riding harness for a husky: the design of such a harness should not restrict the dog’s movements or cause discomfort, otherwise it simply will not be able to carry you .
Such a harness should be well fixed and distribute the weight of the load evenly throughout the body. The straps should be wide and the fastenings strong. Sleds for sledding are sold in specialized stores, and it is still advisable to purchase them there so as not to harm the animal. They are about 80 centimeters wide, and the length directly depends on the number of dogs in the sled. The main rule when choosing a sled is its stability and reliability. Protect both yourself and your dogs.

The sledges themselves are a slightly simplified version of the sleigh, since they are created only for transporting a person, without load. They are much lighter than a sled and will be much easier for the dog to pull. You can often find lightweight aluminum sleds, which due to their design will make traction even easier. However, the choice is yours - wooden sleds are still more reliable.

The harness for your dogs should also be of good quality in order to evenly distribute the load between all parts of the harness. The fastenings that secure each dog in its place must be very strong so as not to accidentally lose a single animal or knock the sleigh or sled off course. Therefore, before choosing riding equipment, consult with those who are already actively using this sport.

Relationships with household members

How does a husky get along with children? Wonderful! This dog is just for those who are not afraid to leave them alone with children. She will happily play with the kids and will not bite. Therefore, this breed is an excellent choice for families.

In turn, a dog will get along with cats if it grew up with them. Otherwise, the cat runs the risk of becoming for the dog an object of irrepressible curiosity and games that the cat itself is unlikely to like.

A newborn child, as in the case of older children, will not be offended by a dog. This is not an aggressive breed at all, so don’t worry if you are planning to have a baby in the family - your pet will not harm him.