Siberian Husky are a very attractive and interesting creatures, not only because of their beautiful appearance but they have a different personality among all the other dog breeds. The pretty Blue eyes, a dense double coat and triangular ears are some of their special characteristics.
As the name suggests, this is a breed from North Eastern Siberia and hence are called Siberian Huskies. They could carry heavy loads even in the Arctic climate and originally they were used by the Chukchi people, for sledding.
Certainly, these dogs are lovely creatures and no one can resist their charms. But, if you are thinking about getting one for yourself, well, first let us learn all the merits and demerits of owning a Siberian Husky. Here, as to get to know different facts of Huskies with the benefits and drawbacks of owning these dogs
5 Pros of having a Siberian Husky:
1. Beautiful Appearance:
All of us are familiar of the fact that Siberian Husky belong to the most beautiful, and gorgeous dog breeds. One of the reasons these Siberian Huskies seem so beautiful at first sight is, quite simple, their great looks. These impressive looks has earned them a fame in society and had certainly made them the most popular dog breed that everyone desire to have!
Huskies with their piercing blue eyes, a dense double coat usually come in attractive colors, such as pure white or different shades of grey. They are also blessed with distinctive facial features which ranks them among the most beautiful dogs in the world.
In addition to that, they move and walk around with dignity and pride, this upright posture adds a boon to their beauty. The independent nature of Huskies, makes them even more charming.
2. Energetic Companions:
These dogs are famous for their high levels of energy and limitless power to play. These dogs are very brave because for many years, they have been bred as working sled dogs in freezing Arctic conditions.
Huskies have great stamina, that makes them excellent runners and most suited dog breeds for sports like mushing and agility. If you are an active person, a Husky make a great traveling mate to you, especially when it comes to hiking, running or dog sledding.
Nevertheless, if you are intending to own a Siberian Husky you must be ready to channel their energy through frequent physical exercise as well as mental stimulation for a happy and balanced Husky.
3. Affectionate and Loyal:
Although they have got an independent streak and are very energetic, Siberian Husky are surprisingly affectionate and loyal to their owners.
It shows in their friendly welcome, sometimes with wagging tails or with their joyful voice. Moreover, they are very loyal and it is evident in their protective nature which makes them good guard dogs.
Siberian Husky stand beside you, through all the rough weather as a great support and company to you. In addition to their beauty, Siberian Huskies are known for being faithful and affectionate companions. To every household they belong, they are a treasure indeed.
4. Intelligence:
Truly, Siberian Husky are an exceedingly intelligent breed. These Siberian dogs, in addition to their problem solving capabilities, fit well into any environment which means they have a great quality of adapting the situation.
Many times, people see their intelligence in their unique abilities such as they learn the orders very fast or do difficult task at their first go! Husky has played a vital role in everything, including being a sled dog in severe arctic environment up to a search and rescue mission.
They also have a sharp instinct and are able to remember their way through difficult areas. Additionally, they display high social intelligence, so they are able to form strong bonds with their owners and families. In short they showcase their emotional intelligence by understanding human emotions and by having a good sense of human moods.
Their flexibility and versatility as a companion makes huskies a great part of intelligence.
5. Minimal Grooming:
Amazingly, huskies only needs a little attention when it comes to grooming as compare to most of the other dog breeds. Their double coats consist of an undercoat and a long topcoat which sheds the dirt away.
But, they should be consistently brushed, once a week, which helps to remove the loose fur and stops the formation of knots. Their coat’s natural oils keeps it clean, thus they need fewer baths.
Huskies are indeed self-cleaning dogs, and also they only shed twice a year which requires a little brushing. These dogs do not generally smell like a typical dog. Although they have strong feet that do not easily accumulate dirt, but sometimes there is need to trim their nails.
In conclusion, Siberian Huskies require minimal grooming thus making them great companions for individuals who are looking for a low-maintenance dog.
5 Cons of having a Siberian Husky:
1. High Energy Demands:
The Siberian Husky’s capacity as an energy provider may be viewed both positively and negatively. As their high energy level can be a charming feature, it can also be a challenge. Due to their genetic history, they have a predisposition to having high levels of energy.
Siberian Huskies should be exercised strictly on a daily basis with proper mental stimulation as well, because if neglected they become destructive and even they show behavioural issues, which can be a great problem.
To meet their high energy demands, they require exercises and activities such as regular runs, hikes, and play sessions. Regular and Appropriate Exercise is important in keeping these breeds physically fit and also helps to maintain their psychological health.
For this reason, potential Husky owners must be ready for an active life so that they get a healthy and happy companion.
2. Stubborn Nature:
Husky is a tough and a stubborn creature, who does not listens quickly, which makes them one of the difficult dog to handle. While they are wonderful companions to their owners, their characteristic of being stubborn acts as a drawback.
They are difficult to train and may disobey, especially where they find some other activity as more interesting. This may sound strange but huskies have a high level of determination to do things their own way and this becomes a training challenge.
This may result them to resist instructions or they engage in selective hearing. Their stubbornness is not necessarily aggression rather, it’s due to their history that made them into such a strong willed dog.
3. Escapists:
Huskies have got a tendency to escape if not kept properly. These dogs have an incredible intelligence as well as escaping is a survival trait of them. Hence, they are master of breaking out from confinement.
They have very strong legs and also a clever mind that helps them to easily jump over fences, dig under enclosures and even turn latches open. Owners may get frustrated by this behavior especially where they have underrated the capabilities of the husky.
Escapes can be prevented by providing them with enough exercise, mental stimulation, secured fencing and supervision. They can be trained regularly and socialized thereby helping them use negative energies in positive ways, reducing chances of the escapes.
4. Shedding:
The Siberian Husky is well known for its beautiful looks and thick double-coat but shedding comes hand in hand with their maintenance. Such dogs have natural shedding cycle, which is called “blowing their coat”, which occurs every six months.
They shed heavily in spring or fall seasons. Through this process, they control the body temperature that makes them feel cold in summer and warm in winter respectively.
Shedding must be managed using regular brushing which helps in reducing the formation of knots. The seasonal shedding is very heavy and therefore husky owners must accept frequent grooming and maintenance.
5. Not Ideal for Apartment Living:
Siberian Huskies are definitely the great pets, but they are not suitable for apartment living. Huskies love the open area where they can run around and play. But apartment does not allow them to move freely and this causes a problem.
As they display high energy levels, they require much open space; thus, huskies are not advisable for apartments. Frustration may be a result of restrictions within apartments which may cause destructive behavior in huskies.
They also have a thick double coat which are helpful in the colder climates but it could be very uncomfortable in warm apartment that lacks proper ventilation. Therefore, provide them with an open-air place for living, with a friendly environment.
Final Thoughts:
Owning a Siberian Husky is a positive undertaking and can proven to be a rewarding experience, however, it’s an ideal dog for some individuals only. Their great looks accompanied by unique personalities are balanced off by their equally extreme energy levels and stubbornness.
They are also popular for their loyalty traits towards their pack as well as they have friendly nature which makes them great member for the families.
If you are prepared to invest time and effort into their care and training, these wonderful creatures will be faithful and friendly; however, they need a lot of attention as they require much time and effort for proper training and upbringing.
Plus, their independent nature is always difficult as far as training goes, but the dog’s love and attachment to owners makes them wonderful companions if owners provides them with enough exercises and socialized them.
