East Siberian husky

History of the East Siberian Husky breed

Modern East Siberian huskies are descendants of commercial dogs that have been bred by the indigenous population of Siberia since ancient times. The main occupation of the ancestors of the breed was hunting fur animals, as the fur trade in Russia has flourished since time immemorial and was considered a profitable craft. But since the population density behind the Ural Ridge has always been small, the animals bred and lived in relative isolation. In the end, this led to the stratification of the Laek clan into offspring that differed in performance characteristics and external data.

The first attempt to describe commercial dogs was made at the end of the XIX century by researchers Shirinsky-Shakhmatov, Liverovsky and Krestnikov. After traveling through Siberia and Transbaikalia, breeders identified 20 types of aboriginal huskies, basing their descriptions on the geographical principle of the distribution of breeds. As for a full-fledged classification, it was possible to create it only in 1949, when members of the Soviet society "Glavokhota" agreed to the standardization of animals. It was decided to distinguish four main breeds – Karelo-Finnish , Russian-European, East Siberian and west Siberian husky . Moreover, only a temporary standard was written for East Siberian huskies, since there was very little factual material about the exterior and working qualities of Easterners.

The breed owes its modern standard to the Soviet cynologist A.V. Geitz. For 13 years of work, the specialist has studied more than eight thousand East Siberian huskies and systematized their external characteristics. It was at his request that the limits of the breed's growth were established, as well as the index of the dog's body stretch. In addition, the area of origin of the AFL was narrowed. If earlier the Far East was considered the homeland of animals, in addition to Siberia, then after A.V. Geitz's research, the eastern outskirts of the country were excluded from this list. The final standard, which fixed the specific suits of the breed, as well as the type of backbone, was approved for Easterners in 1981. Breeders and exhibition commissions are still guided by it.

East Siberian Husky breed standard

Initially, individuals with a strong type of constitution were considered exemplary. However, modern rules are more loyal to animals with dry muscles. Nevertheless, it is unacceptable to compare two dogs in the ring who are in polar condition types. Sexual dimorphism is also inherent in Easterners: the growth of a thoroughbred male should be at least 55 and no more than 64 cm, bitches – from 51 to 60 cm.

Body stretch index is important for AFL workers. In males, it ranges from 104-109, in females – within 107-112. It is not difficult to determine visually which dog is more suitable for fishing activities. To do this, it is enough to compare the height of the animal at the withers with the length of the body. If the second value exceeds the first, this is a good sign. Huskies with a stretched body, sufficient height and a strong constitution are hardier and easier to work in snowdrifts. At the same time, too large, as well as too low individuals are considered an unenviable acquisition. The former are harder to climb and with age acquire the looseness of the constitution, the latter get tired quickly and do not work well in the snow.

Head

When viewed from above, the skull has a wedge-shaped outline resembling an equilateral triangle. The brow ridges of the breed are unexpressed, the stop is smooth, the forehead is almost flat. In puppies, there may be a bulge in the frontal zone (growth prilobina), leveling off by 3-4 years.

As the head of the East Siberian husky grows older, it spreads out due to the increase in muscle mass. The dog's muzzle is rough, normally filled in the area under the eyes, of the bar type. There are no signs of damp lips.

Jaws

The jaws are massive and wide with tightly closing incisors. The bite of premolars is of the wolf type, that is, open. The grip of the jaws is deep and strong.

Eyes

Distinctive features of the eyes of the East Siberian husky are an oblique cut of the eyelids, almond-shaped shape, moderate fit (the eyeballs are not protruding, but they are not "sunk" deep into the eye sockets). The iris is brown or dark brown, regardless of the suit.

Ears

The shape of the ear resembles an isosceles triangle with a pointed or slightly rounded tip (the tip of the ear). Set almost at eye level, in addition, a slight collapse is noticeable when the back edges of the ears are not parallel to each other.

Neck

The necks of East Siberian huskies can be both rounded and slightly oval in cross-section. Set the neck relative to the body at an angle of 40-50 °. The length of the neck corresponds to the length of the head.

Housing

The East Siberian husky is a strong and moderately "pumped up" pet. The elongation of the silhouette characteristic of the breed is provided by a straight, wide back. At the same time, the lumbar region should not be excessively long. The croup is broad, with a moderate sloping in the back. The bottom is picked up, with a weakly pronounced transition from the sternum to the abdomen.

The chest of the breed is deep, strong, often lowered a couple of centimeters below the elbows or reaching their level. The standard allows an oval breast in cross-section, but an ovoid one is not acceptable. An important nuance: for fishing in a snow-covered area, a dog with an overly developed chest is not the best option, since when the front paws are outstretched, the wide sternum prevents the shoulder blades from turning outward.

Limbs

Smooth and parallel front legs impress with their powerful backbone and strength. The shoulders are moderately oblique, the angles of the shoulder joints are within 90-100 °. The ulnar processes are pronounced, looking backwards. Pasterns are short, have a slight slope.

Hind limbs without curvature, parallel to each other. Articulation angles are clearly marked. The lower legs are noticeably longer than the thighs, the metatarsals stand vertically. The paws of the Easterners gather into a ball, resembling a circle or oval in outline. The presence of dewclaws on the hind legs is unacceptable.

Tail

Crescent-shaped or rolled into a ring-shaped structure. In the straightened form, the tip is at the level of the hocks or shorter by 1-2 cm .

Wool

The straight spine is characterized by a rigid, rough structure. The undercoat is silky, but dense, performing the function of a natural sweatshirt. On the ears and head, the coat is short, adjacent. On the neck and shoulders, the hair grows more abundantly, turning into a rich collar. At the withers, the dog's fur is also relatively long.

The legs are covered with a short smooth hair, slightly lengthening on their inner part and forming feathering on the hind limbs. The paws of the breed are well pubescent. This is especially noticeable in the area of the fingers, where the hair breaks through with miniature brushes. The dog's tail is protected by a straight, stiff coat, which is noticeably longer on the inside, but does not go into suspension.

Color

Traditional suits of Eastern European huskies: solid black, black-piebald, red, gray and brown of all shades. Black with tan color is also considered valuable, especially if it is its caramel variety (light spots of tan on black). Combinations of the listed suits with white are also allowed.

Possible vices

• Deviations from the standard height by more than 2 cm.
• The tail is "crocheted" or "log".
• Pronounced straightness.
• Smudge, clubfoot, twisted elbows.
• Sagging or hunchbacked back.
• Neck with a chin and much longer than the head.
• Iris of any tone, except those allowed by the standard.
• Heterochromia, eyes bulging or deep-set with a horizontal section of the eyelids.
• Semi-erect or drooping ears placed below the eye line.
• Raw, heavy head with upturned, hooked nose or sharp muzzle.

Character of the East Siberian husky

A purebred Oriental in everyday life is a benevolent and peaceful creature. The tendency to unmotivated aggression is not typical for the breed, but only if we are talking about a person and fellow tribesmen. Small domestic animals for the AFL still remain the object of hunting lust, which must be, if not caught, then at least slightly driven. By the way, you should not expect any obsequiousness from East Siberian huskies, you will not be able to cultivate this quality in a pet with all your efforts.

A true husky-tradesman listens only to the instructions of the owner, and on the hunt perfectly executes the command only when it does not go against her own opinion. At the same time, the dog does not refuse to recognize the authority of the owner-hunter, but perceives the rest of the family members as equals, or even as beings of a lower order, if we are talking about children. In practice, it looks like this: VSL willingly fools around and plays with the household as much as he wants, but periodically turns on the "misunderstanding" when it is not the owner himself who demands something from her.

The East Siberian husky is not the most qualified guard, although its distant ancestors were introduced to watchdog activities. On its territory, the animal relaxes and does not try to control the situation. In the case of an obvious violation of the boundaries, the dog, of course, will demonstrate his displeasure. But usually it doesn't go beyond threatening grumbling and raised fur on the withers. For the rest, East Siberian huskies are considered soft-tempered, albeit a little touchy pets, which should not be pushed too much.

Hunting with East Siberian husky

Unlike west Siberian huskies , easterners are not so popular among hunters of the Central Strip. The reason for the low prevalence of the breed lies partly in the fact that its representatives have less gambling in their work than their relatives in the section. At the same time, the AFL is distinguished by a large breadth of search, high sensitivity and excellent viscosity. A valuable quality of East Siberian huskies is their ability to quickly adapt to changing realities. In fact, the animal is able to hunt in any climatic zones, starting from the taiga wilds and ending with the forest-steppe.

Like most huskies, VSL are considered universal hunters. However, the breed works best with moose, bear, wild boar and small martens. The hunting technique of the dog consists in tracking the animal by smell, barking at it and detaining it until the arrival of the owner. The right Easterner follows the trail in silence and gives voice only when the game is in sight. Another feature of the breed is the search by trotting, turning into a gallop and less often into a step. At field trials, the talents of commercial East Siberian huskies are evaluated according to the following indicators:

• flair;
• speed and correctness of the search;
• voice;
• the nature of barking (no hysterical yelling, running and throwing at the tree where the squirrel is sitting);
• surveillance and viscosity (persistence in finding and detaining the beast);
• obedience;
• attitude to the killed prey (it is allowed to bite the shot squirrel slightly, but not to tear).

Each husky has its own preferences in hunting. Accordingly, when acquiring AFL, calmly perceive the fact that the degree of enthusiasm for the process of catching trophies in different conditions will vary. For example, some dogs like hardcore bear prey, others prefer to go for moose. In addition, having tried to work "big-time", East Siberian huskies lose interest in small fur-bearing animals and do not show much zeal in hunting squirrels.

Among the fishermen, it is considered undesirable to introduce the East Siberian husky to hare hunting. Being carried away by the pursuit of oblique, the dog moves away from the owner too quickly and does not hear commands. As a result, the hunter does not have the opportunity to catch up with the pet, and the excited dog independently deals with the prey, which is unacceptable in principle. For the same reason, it is not recommended to allow East Siberian huskies to walk around the forest uncontrollably in the summer. In such unauthorized hikes, the dog learns to extract, strangle and eat light game like young moose calves and hares, and then does not adhere to the rules on seasonal hunting, spoiling the prey with his teeth.

Education, training, nataska

It is not customary to pass OKD with the East Siberian husky, but you will have to master the basic techniques of pet management. Despite the fact that in terms of habits, huskies are close to a wild ancestor – a wolf, it is still important to correct their actions. The first command in the life of a puppy ALOUD is "To me!". It must be put into use by the breeder himself or the owner of the nursery when it comes time to feed the newborn offspring. In the future, this will facilitate the learning process for the buyer.

As the baby grows up, the traditional call can be replaced with an approach to the whistle of the owner. For a timely response to a call, whether it's a voice command or a whistle, the pet should definitely be encouraged. Remember that among hunters, individuals are valued who do not lose touch with a person in the fishery, as well as those who come on demand. The second basic command is "You can't!". Without it, it will be impossible to control the temperament of a four-legged hunter on the hunt. The commands "Drop!" and "Place!" should be understood by the puppy at the age of 3 months. They also begin to accustom to the collar and leash from 3 months.

At 5-6 months, the East Siberian husky begins to be trained in protein. Moreover, if there is an adult experienced husky at home, it is also desirable to connect it to the case. In the process, the puppy will adopt the habits of an older tribesman and learn how to hunt properly faster. From the very first lessons, it is necessary to eradicate the traditional mistakes of a young individual. A professionally trained AFL should not rush into trees and gnaw branches where a squirrel is sitting. It is also impossible to allow empty barking and tormenting of a shot animal. A disciplined dog should calmly sniff dead prey, sometimes bite a little, but do not try to tear it or eat it.

Sable hunting, which is often practiced with East Siberian huskies, is considered a transition to a higher level, since, unlike squirrels, this furry animal leaves the chase more masterfully. It is better to train an easterner on sable on the first snow, when the tracks are clearly visible. The optimal age for this activity is the same as when working with a squirrel, that is, 5-6 months. In more detail, the methods of training the breed for various types of prey are described in the book by A.V. Geitz "East Siberian Husky".

It's worth trying to walk on a moose with a husky when the pet turns a year old, or preferably two. The optimal month for the first natasha is September, when the wild artiodactyls begin rut and when shooting of males is allowed. Usually mining is carried out in two ways. The first is a prolonged pursuit of an animal by a husky at a distance of at least 15 m, without sharp attacks. The second is a gambling race, furious barking and active attempts to grab prey by the muzzle and neck.

In both cases, barking should be done from the head of a potential victim. If the easterner gives a voice, keeping at a distance from the moose, and at the first turn of the elk runs away, this means that the dog is either very young and has not yet developed the correct technique, or simply does not have the ability to work with large prey. A good moose is considered a husky, capable of following a cloven-hoofed animal for at least 5 hours and doing several sweeps (stopping the elk and barking it from the head). The status of a pro is assigned to individual individuals who are ready to go after the moose and make cuts until the morning of the next day.

Important: it is better to go to squirrels, sables and muskrats with one husky, since the presence of a "partner" will distract the animal from the process. At the same time, it is recommended to hunt elk, wild boar and bear with a pair of easterners.

Maintenance and care

The East Siberian husky is a dog with heroic immunity and genetically developed tempering, so even newborn puppies with their parent are recommended not to be taken into the heat, but to be kept in an unheated room. It is not uncommon to hear stories about how easily Easterners adapt to life in an apartment. At the same time, the maintenance of the breed in "greenhouse" conditions is not approved by breeders, and the animal itself does not benefit. A healthy working dog is able to live in the yard, where a strong aviary with a warm booth should be built for it, which is better to install on the sunny side.

Keeping huskies on a chain is permissible as a temporary phenomenon until the aviary is equipped. Moreover, the chain must be fixed on a movable block, which will allow the animal to move freely around the yard. It is necessary to take the puppy for a walk in crowded places after vaccination against distemper and enteritis. Before receiving vaccinations, it is also necessary to take out the baby to breathe, but in such locations where contacts with other dogs and people will be excluded. It is best to walk with the ward in the forest lands and meadows, which is a preparation for future hunting. The duration of the promenades should be at least 2 hours a day, because the longer the puppy is in the sun, the less chance he has of getting rickets.

Hygiene

Puppies of the East Siberian husky can not be bathed in principle. Adults should also not be washed unnecessarily, because along with shampoo and water, protective grease is removed from the skin and coat. It is enough to wipe a dirty pet with a damp cloth, and rinse dirty paws in lukewarm water without using dog cosmetics. It is strongly not recommended to wash the East Siberian husky on the eve of the exhibition, since the hair devoid of a fat layer looks less aesthetically pleasing and there is a risk of getting a low score from the judges for the exterior.

It is necessary to comb the yard hair twice a week during the molting period and once a week at all other times. With apartment huskies, the frequency of combing will have to be increased if you do not want the dwelling to turn into a warehouse for wool. If the dog is constantly and productively hunting, the "pedicure" of the claws is allowed to be neglected, since the plate is naturally worn off. Easterners, who travel to exhibitions more often than they work, need to trim their claws carefully. The ears of the East Siberian husky are checked after each trip to the forest or a couple of times a week if the dog spends time in the yard.

It is better to remove excess sulfur inside the ear funnel with a cloth soaked in hygienic lotion. Mandatory measures are the treatment of wool from ticks and ectoparasites, as well as periodic boiling of the mattress on which the animal sleeps. It is extremely important to monitor the health of the eyes of the East Siberian husky and remove dirt from them with a clean cloth moistened with strong chilled tea. If the eyes suddenly turn red or start to water, try applying tetracycline ointment to the lower eyelid. If there are no improvements in a couple of days, the husky will have to be taken to the vet.

Feeding

Adults are fed twice a day, and during the hunting season the food is divided into unequal parts: in the morning the pet eats ⅓ of the daily norm, in the evening, but not earlier than an hour after work on the beast, the remaining ⅔. As for any commercial dog, the basis of the diet for the East Siberian husky is meat. In order to save money, everything extracted from hunting is used – butchered squirrel carcasses, muskrat meat and entrails, as well as any other edible trophies. During active fishing activity, the proportion of animal food in the daily menu of the AFL should reach 600-800 g.

East Siberian huskies are unpretentious pets that do not need food diversity. Along with meat, they can also be given cheaper products – sea fish, from which large bones are extracted (you can crank through a meat grinder), cereals, offal, rye bread, curdled milk, chicken eggs, vegetables (except legumes), fruits, young greens. Some owners teach pets to find edible fruits and eat them from the bush. In the future, if the dog gets lost on the hunt, it will be able to feed itself for several days.

Mandatory products in the diet of puppies of the East Siberian husky are cottage cheese and cartilaginous tissues, without which it is impossible to form a strong backbone. The first lure in the life of an Easterner is liquid porridge with milk (semolina, mashed Herculean). It is better to give them to monthly puppies. Half–year-old teenagers are allowed to enter porridge from whole grains into the menu - rice, oatmeal, pearl barley. They are cooked in meat and bone broth with the addition of a small amount of salt, unrefined vegetable oil or fish oil, as well as vegetables - cabbage, carrots, pumpkins, zucchini. It is also useful to feed the growing plant with sprouted oats and wheat. Unsalted cheese, butter, rye crackers are suitable as an incentive treat. The source of the necessary vitamins can be dandelion leaves, nettle (scalded with boiling water), kelp or ready-made vitamin complexes from the vetapteka.

Important: East Siberian huskies are allowed to give river fish and liver only heat-treated, since these products are often infected with worms.

Health and diseases of East Siberian huskies

East Siberian huskies are healthy dogs that do not have a predisposition to most hereditary ailments. The breed is not able to resist only viral diseases – distemper, enteritis and rabies, and it is workers who are most susceptible to them. Timely vaccination continues to be the salvation from these problems – in 2-2.5 months, puppies are already allowed to be vaccinated against canine plague, in a year – against rabies.

By the time of vaccination, the puppy should be proglistogonen in advance – it is advisable to do this a couple of weeks before the procedure so that the body has time to recover. After vaccinations, the animal is quarantined for 14 to 22 days. It should be intensively fed, protected from hypothermia and walked only in deserted places where there are no other dogs. And of course, do not forget that the introduction of the vaccine will have to be repeated, and the treatment of the pet with anthelmintic drugs should take place throughout the life of the husky.

How to choose a puppy

• If a puppy is purchased for hunting a specific animal, check with the seller what progress the baby's parents have made in this matter. For example, for moose hunting, it is better to take offspring from moose huskies and it is undesirable from easterners working strictly on protein.
• The hunting prowess of males and females of the East Siberian husky practically does not differ. However, males are more likely to get lost in the forest, as they are distracted by the smells of pregnant bitches, which may be several kilometers away. Accordingly, if you are not ready to spend hours, or even a day searching for a lost dog, choose "girls".
• Make a choice in favor of puppies from spring litters. Such babies are healthier because they grow and develop in the warm, sunny season.
• Specify the age of the litter producers. Breeding bitches of the East Siberian husky are ready for mating in one and a half years, and males by two years. Offspring from too young parents, as well as from too old, have poor health. It is optimal when mature and old males (6-10 years old) they knit with 3-year–old bitches and vice versa - young two-year-old males are brought together with 6-9-year-old huskies.
• Evaluate the general condition of the puppies. Rare wool, dry nose and signs of emerging rickets signal that such a baby will have to be nursed for a long time.

Price of the East Siberian husky

The average price tag for East Siberian husky puppies is $150 – $200, if we are talking about offspring from planned mating, with a package of documents and from working parents with diplomas. The only caveat: you will have to hunt for the breed in the literal sense, since there are only a few breeders engaged in breeding Easterners in the European part of Russia. The main livestock of the AFL is concentrated in Siberia and the Far East, so get ready to take a ride in cities such as Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Blagoveshchensk. Also, the breed is being bred in the southern regions of the country – Voronezh, Belgorod.