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Shedding Some Light on Living with a Husky

Interested in bringing home an adorable Siberian Husky puppy? Then you've already heard how marvelous they can be. Sociable and loving, easy going and gentle are just a few of the adjectives reserved for this resilient breed.

However, as the owner of a beautiful, blue-eyed, black and white bundle of fur (I mean fun), named Kodiak the Great, I have a duty to point out that Huskies do have their shortcomings and may not make the perfect pet for anyone who falls in love at first sight with a perky and playful Husky puppy.

Huskies are a loyal breed, that's true. But what you may not know is that they tend to be loyal to the "Alpha Dog" of the household. So even though I'm the one who feeds her, walks her, grooms her, gives her treats, lets her out in the yard to play, Kodiak is always by my husband's side and obeys his every command.

Training a Husky pup takes plenty of patience. It is more likely that your Husky will train you. Though Huskies are an intelligent breed, they do have a mind of their own and will only obey a command if they see the reason, or are the recipient of a tasty treat for their efforts.

In fact, our precious Kodiak flunked out of Doggie Obedience School because she would not "heel " on a leash or "stay" on command. She does sit and give you her paw, but that's about it in her doggie bag of tricks.

If you've heard that Huskies tend to run a lot, because they were bred to be a sled dog, you'd better believe it! It's in their nature to roam and explore, as their Arctic ancestors once did. New owners should be advised to exercise caution when opening their doors to greet guests or let their Siberian Husky off the leash even for a second, as the dog is most likely to be miles away before looking around and realizing their owner is nowhere in sight.

My husband and I have learned from exhaustive experience to not run after Kodiak when she's on the loose, but to simply lie down and "play dead." She will usually come back to see why you're not chasing after her any longer.

Or, when all else fails, we simply get in the SUV and drive after her. When she's in sight, we yell "Let's go for a ride," and she'll do a total about face and happily hop into the back of the Blazer eager for the scenic trip back home again with her head held high out the back window.

There's also no such thing as a "walk" with a Husky, it's more like a "pull." Huskies need to be the "lead dog" way out in front pulling you along every step of the way. Our kids used to wear their roller blades and let Kodiak pull them around our neighborhood streets. It was quite a wild ride while it lasted, but when one of the boys pounded the pavement, the leash went trailing after the dog as she fled the scene of the accident.

If you're looking for a dog with aggressive guard dog instincts… please don't get a Husky. While capable of strong affection for his/her family and especially the children, the Siberian Husky is just as friendly to total strangers. Therefore, the Siberian is by no means a watch dog, although those who do not know the true easy-going docile nature may be intimidated by their wolf-like appearance.

Also, Huskies rarely bark. A good thing if you enjoy peace and quiet. A bad thing if someone is entering your home unexpectedly. We like to tell people that Kodiak makes a great watch dog… she will watch anyone and everyone walk right in our door.

Huskies are, for the most part, very quiet dogs that tend to howl rather than bark. Our dog "woos." If my husband and I each make a howling wolf-like sound, Kodiak will happily "sing" along with her musical "woo-woo-woo-woos" over and over again until we stop our "woo-ing." Needless to say, Kodi's usually the free entertainment at all of our parties.

Huskies also love to run and play, but tend to get bored easily. They respond by howling, chewing, digging or whatever strikes their fancy. And, speaking of digging, Siberian Huskies have a natural proclivity for digging holes in backyards. If you take pride in your landscaping efforts... don't get a Siberian. Rather than digging one BIG hole in the middle of the yard, Huskies tend to dig dozens of little holes all over the yard making walking or running in your own backyard hazardous to your health. Kodiak has a particular fetish for digging up all of our most expensive shrubs.

Since predatory instincts are strong, Siberians should be supervised around small animals in and around the home. For example: Kodiak loves to bring us little surprises. Every Spring she carries a newborn bunny in her jaws and gently lays it on the deck for us to gawk at. She doesn't mean to hurt the baby bunnies, but I think she literally scares them to death. (You'd think the mommy and daddy bunnies that breed the brood under our shed would move elsewhere with Kodiak on the prowl, but, sadly enough, that's not the case.)

I've saved the inexhaustibly exasperating shedding trait for last. Huskies have a thicker coat than most other breeds of dog since they originated in the extremely cold and harsh environment of Eastern Siberia. They have a dense undercoat and longer top coat of short guard hairs. Siberians "blow" their undercoats, that is to say, they shed their undercoats completely. It is a very intense shedding period that can last an entire season from start to finish. The shedding season can be rather messy and the hair comes out in large (a whopping handful) and millions of smaller clumps. The good news is that Huskies only shed twice a year (that's only six months of shedding).  Therefore, daily grooming is imperative!

But, If you like fur all over the floor, the rugs, the furniture, your clothes, and in the very air you breathe, then, by all means, a Husky is for you. If, however, you value neatness at all times, then a Siberian isn't the perfect pet for you.

Kodiak is a walking fur-ball that leaves a trail of fluff behind her wherever she goes. That's why I, like every other Siberian owner, have a Super Vac at the ready at all times to suck up the stray hairs, clusters and clumps of Husky hair. I've often wondered what I could make with all that hair when I've had to clean out the clogged vacuum cleaner.  So does my husband. (He's going bald.)

However, for those dog lovers that still want to own a Husky, here's a valuable tip: Dark rugs are a "no-no." Install a light shade of Berber carpeting throughout your home. Husky hair blends right in.

So, if I haven't discouraged you by now with my rantings and ravings, and you are still bound, bent and determined to own a beautiful Husky, then, by all means, go out and get one today!

As our 14-year-old faithful friend and loving companion, Kodiak The Great has certainly lived up to her pretentious name. Though she has her Siberian shortcomings, the entire family loves her and wouldn't trade her for all the short-haired, shed-free guard dogs in the world!

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

My background includes nearly 30 years in  advertising, marketing communications and PR for a variety of major companies nationwide. Writing has always been one of my fortes and I've even had several articles published in the past.

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