West Siberian husky

History of the breed

The West Siberian Husky is a descendant of aboriginal hunting dogs that have lived beyond the Ural Ridge since time immemorial. It is worth noting that up to the beginning of the XX century. in the taiga villages there were many offspring of huskies, each of which had its own distinctive features and devoted fans among local hunters. The division into breeds and intra-breed types was not discussed then, so the animals freely interbred with each other, giving a person the right to select the most successful "specimens". Nevertheless, even in such conditions, the stratification into leaders and outsiders was quite natural. Therefore, when it came to the standardization of huskies in 1939, experts immediately turned their attention to the Mansi (Vogul) and Khanty (Ostyak) offspring, who proved themselves to be excellent getters of taiga animals. In the same 1939, a meeting of Soviet dog handlers was held, at which five main breed types of animals were approved, among which were the wards of Khanty and Mansiysk fishermen.

Purposefully breeding the ancestors of West Siberian huskies began in the 40s of the XX century. due to state necessity. The country leading the war needed money, which could be obtained, including from the sale of furs and meat. Well, Siberian hunters and their four-legged assistants had to extract this valuable commodity. According to the official version, the mission to popularize the breed was assigned to the Krasnaya Zvezda nursery, although in fact breeding and a kind of PR of animals were also engaged in breeding nurseries of the Novosibirsk, Sverdlovsk and Perm regions.

In 1947, the Soviet cynologist E. I. Shereshevsky proposed to classify domestic huskies according to the geographical principle, according to which the Khanty and Mansi brats were united into a common, West Siberian group. The proposal was not immediately accepted for consideration, but in 1952 the section of northern hunting dogs was nevertheless replenished with three new breeds – the West Siberian, Karelo-Finnish and Russian-European likes. A sharp jump in the popularity of ZSL occurred in the 60-70 years, after which foreign breeders and cynological associations became interested in the animals. And in 1980, the breed was finally recognized by the FCI, which opened the way for it to international exhibitions and competitions.

An important point. To consider the West Siberian Husky as a pure descendant of Mansi and Khanty hunting dogs is not entirely correct. The breed did not develop in isolation, so mixing the blood of other offspring into its phenotype was common. Experts are sure that today's SLS inherited part of the gene pool of Udmurt, Ural, Nenets, Evenki and Zyryan (Komi) huskies, as well as some breed traits of German Shepherds.

Video: West Siberian Husky

West Siberian Husky breed standard

The West Siberian Husky is a dog of a strong, albeit somewhat dry build, hardy and incredibly fast when it comes to chasing prey. By the way, this is one of those breeds whose representatives were affected by sexual dimorphism, so the males of ZSL are much larger than bitches. It is possible to distinguish a purebred West Siberian husky from a pack of mestizos by the proportions of the body. In particular, the length of the body of purebred individuals significantly exceeds their height at the withers. Proportionally, it looks like 103-107/100 in males and 104-108/100 in females. If we compare the height of the withers and the sacrum of the animal, then the first one will be a centimeter or two more (in female dogs, the discrepancy is less or there is no difference at all). Special requirements are also imposed on the front legs of the husky: their length should be equal to ½ the height of the pet at the withers.

Although the West Siberian husky has been a factory breed for almost 80 years, puppies periodically slip through its litters, resembling the appearance of Vogul-Ostyak ancestors. In this regard, dog handlers distinguish two main intra–breed types of ZSL - Khanty and Mansi. Representatives of the first variety are distinguished by their comparative squatness, have a wide head in the form of an equilateral triangle and a rich dogskin, which gives the silhouette of the dog additional volume. Mansi huskies are usually taller and poorer "dressed", their skull is narrower, and their eyes are rounder and more expressive.

Head

The head of the West Siberian husky is dry, elongated, triangular type. The skull is narrow (a feature most pronounced in females), with a flat or slightly rounded forehead. In general, the profile of the animal does not differ in particular relief: the eyebrows of the ZSL are not too prominent, the line of the foot is smoothed. The dog's muzzle is wedge-shaped, equal in length to the skull.

Jaws and teeth

The purebred West Siberian husky has a full set (42) of strong teeth and powerful jaws with a scissor bite.

Nose

Normal-sized lobe, painted black. At the same time, for individuals with white fur, a lighter, brownish shade of the lobe is typical.

Eyes

The dog's oblong, dark brown eyes have a somewhat oblique set. Another distinctive feature is that the eyeballs of ZSL are planted deeper than, for example, in other varieties of huskies.

Ears

The ears of the West Siberian husky are erect, regular triangular shape.

Neck

The dog's neck is elongated, well muscled, dry type.

Housing

The relief withers of the animal smoothly turns into a straight, wide back, ending with a massive and somewhat inclined croup. The chest of the ZSL is deep, of good width. The abdomen is moderately taut.

Limbs

The front legs of the West Siberian husky are smooth, spaced apart at a fairly remote distance (wide postage). The shoulder blades are long, strongly retracted, the elbows pressed against the body, with developed, "looking" backward joints. The hind limbs of the dog are muscular, with long, strong thighs, strong knees and almost vertical metatarsals. The paws are oval in shape, while the rear ones are inferior in size to the front ones. The fingers of the ZSL are arched, collected, but the middle finger is somewhat out of the general row due to its longer length.

Tail

Rolled into a "steering wheel" and thrown on its side or in the lumbar region. In the untwisted form, the tail hangs down to the hock joints.

Wool

The coat of the West Siberian husky is formed by a moderately stiff outer hair and a voluminous, warming layer of undercoat. In the shoulder area, the dog's fur grows thicker, as a result of which the dog's neck is framed by a rich collar. The fur on the front of all four legs is relatively short, while there are soft "pants" on the hips. Small tufts of bristly hair grow between the fingers of the husky, performing a protective function.

Colors

The animal's coat is most often colored in red, piebald, gray, red-brown and white tones. The following combinations are also acceptable: white with brown, gray, red, fawn spots, zonal-piebald, zonal-red.

Disqualifying breed defects

• Congenital malocclusion.
• Aggression or excessive indecision.
• Jaw misalignment.
• Behavioral and physical abnormalities that are too obvious.
• Absence of four or more teeth/presence of additional incisors.
• Hanging or semi-erect ears.
• Eyesore (clouding of the cornea), as well as the color of the iris with inclusions of an unacceptable standard shade.
• Too short or having an atypical tail shape (saber-shaped, straight, etc.).
• Short / not long enough coat.
• Albinism. Non-standard coat colors: blue, brindle, chocolate.

The nature of the West Siberian husky

Likes are such... likes and the West Siberian one is no exception here. Therefore, before getting such an active pet, it is better to ask yourself the question: do I have enough energy and patience not to turn the dog's and my own existence into an eternal struggle for interests? Do not discount the "talkativeness" of the breed. Barking for ZSL is not another attempt to play on your nerves, but a means of communication, so do not count on the fact that you will hear a ringing "Woof!" of a pet only when hunting.

Mobility, innate playfulness and curiosity make wonderful hunters and athletes out of West Siberian huskies, but their companions are not the most outstanding. Accordingly, if you are not interested in seasonal trips for trophies as such, there is no point in contacting the breed. Chasing animals for huskies is almost the main purpose of its existence and it is simply cruel to deprive an animal of this joy.

Any person for the West Siberian husky is either a friend or a future friend, which, of course, affects the security and watchdog qualities of the dog. On the one hand, the animal is not deprived of them and, with proper training, is able to drive away unwanted persons from housing. On the other hand, too ardent protection of the owner's property indicates the instability of the psyche of a four–legged comrade, which is unacceptable for a hunting breed in principle.

West Siberian huskies respect the laws of the pack and never measure themselves against those who are weaker, so it is quite reasonable to leave them to look after children, to whom dogs are friendly and patronizing. It is believed that ZLS tend to show independence and it is not necessary to limit them in this. Nevertheless, representatives of this breed will not fight with a person for the right to be a leader for any price. The owner for laika is a friend and mentor, with whom she sees no point in competing, because working in a pair is much more interesting and correct.

The hunting instincts of the representatives of the West Siberian Husky breed make themselves felt not only in the wild. In particular, SLS are very intolerant towards any animals that they are not personally familiar with. Experienced dog owners also know that keeping several dogs in the same territory is a pleasure for an amateur with a very mature character, since dogs almost never stop competing with each other and finding out "who is the boss in the house".

Education and training

The West Siberian husky is not a circus dog, so do not waste time with it learning acrobatic tricks, which the hunting breed does not really need. It is also important to take into account the psychological characteristics of SLS: slight stubbornness, self–will, loss of interest in learning - all this will certainly take place, albeit on a not very outstanding scale. It is advisable to start raising and training a puppy from the age of 3 months using standard methods, that is, try not to overwork the baby, try to introduce him to new behaviors through games, etc. It's good if you have the opportunity to take your pet to group classes. The gregarious and competitive instincts of West Siberian huskies are very strong, so they always work more actively in a team. By the way, you can practice hunting skills with a dog only after it has mastered the basic commands of obedience (preferably passing the OKD).

Pay special attention to the prohibitive commands. The excessive independence inherent in the breed should be easily corrected. If the dog does not respond to the ban, it is fraught with big trouble. In particular, it costs nothing to escape during a walk, carried away by the pursuit of a gawking cat. Do not go to the other extreme and do not drill your pet. The West Siberian husky is not a terry-cloth intellectual and a slipper wearer, but a strong, merciless hunter who is able to master the basic basics of etiquette just as much as it is necessary in order to get along with a person and not create unnecessary problems for him.

Hunting with West Siberian husky

In terms of hunting, the West Siberian husky is a real all-rounder, able to get any game for the beloved owner, starting from a squirrel and ending with a bear. The upper and lower senses, which are equally well developed among representatives of this breed, innate viscosity (persistence in pursuing a goal and finding a trace) and sonorous barking help the dog not to lose the status of a superhot. Another feature of the breed is the ability to work on the old track, which is considered aerobatics and is not given to all representatives of the section.

If you plan to grow a full-fledged earner from a pet, and not a useless "holder of a hunting diploma", it is better to train the animal not on training grounds, but in natural conditions, where the animal is real, and not crazy from the endless barking of four-legged "students", and the danger is real. By the way, it is absolutely not necessary to make a West Siberian husky "master of all paws". No matter how wonderfully smart a dog is, it is not able to catch a sable for you today, a boar tomorrow, and a bear a week later. Of course, there are exceptions, but this is already an innate gift, found only in a select few.

The degree of development of hunting instincts in West Siberian huskies depends on how often the dog is in the wild. If you are used to taking your pet to the forest a couple of times a season, then do not expect him to demonstrate any superpowers. For a proper husky, going hunting should not be a holiday, but a natural change of location, where the animal must feel as confident as in its own enclosure. By the way, it is better not to delay the training. At 5-6 months, the puppy is already ready to periodically walk with the owner in the forest, practicing walking nearby and getting used to the surrounding smells and sounds. 10-month-old teenagers can begin to get acquainted with the beast. It's great if an adult hunting dog already lives in the house. In this case, the puppy will have someone to learn from. And keep in mind, if by the age of 2 the West Siberian husky does not start working with game, then it will be pointless to engage with it.

Maintenance and care

West Siberian huskies easily tolerate Russian frosts and are quite adapted to extreme weather conditions, so the best place of residence for a working dog will be an aviary in the courtyard of a private house. In addition, a lot of free space is required for the comfortable existence of the SLC, so the option of settling a pet in an apartment is regarded as the worst possible. It is also important to understand that unlike their Russian-Finnish counterparts, West Siberian huskies hardly get used to life in a megalopolis, and indeed any city. These restless "Siberians" prefer the countryside or at least the urban outskirts.

List of things necessary for the maintenance of the West Siberian husky:

• insulated booth with litter;
• food and drink bowls;
• toys;
• walking leash (from 2 m) and collar;
• muzzle;
• tracker collar with GPS (for hunting enthusiasts).

It will not be possible to settle a West Siberian husky in a booth or aviary and relax, since you will have to change the straw litter for the animal weekly and clean up its vital products at least once a day. In addition, once a month it is recommended to perform a complete disinfection of the enclosure.

Hygiene

The West Siberian husky is an unpretentious working dog and it makes no sense to travel around grooming salons with it. Yes, during the molting period (autumn-spring), the ZSL wool will have to be combed with a rare comb, sometimes connecting a furminator to the case, but otherwise not much time is spent on caring for and creating the image of a pet. The huskies are rarely washed: mostly before exhibitions or when the animal is thoroughly soiled. Moreover, in the summer there will be enough episodic bathing in open reservoirs.

The claws of working and well-walked dogs can not be cut at all. For individuals who are not particularly active, the plate is trimmed once a month with a claw cutter for large breeds. At the same time, it is better to examine the eyes and ears of the inhabitants of the aviaries daily, so as not to miss and not start inflammation. One of the main working "tools" of the West Siberian husky is paws, respectively, after hunting and walking, they should be given increased attention. Minor cuts, scratches, and other injuries should be treated immediately with veterinary ointments or creams. Vegetable oils, which lubricate the pads of the paws in order to avoid the appearance of cracks and peeling on them, will be a good help.

Walking and training

The West Siberian husky, which does not fully realize its energy potential, falls into depression, goes bald and often gains weight. Therefore, in order for the pet to be alert, healthy and live the entire allotted time, it is better to load it to the maximum. It is necessary to go out with the dog to breathe air at least twice, preferably three times a day, and the duration of the walk should be at least an hour. Be sure to include in these 60 minutes not only standard jogging on a leash, but also elements of training, as well as active games. In order not to mess around at home, the West Siberian husky should do its best on the street, so you can't do ordinary festivities here.

When taking your ward to a park, square or forest lane, do not lose vigilance. ZSL males are naturally enthusiastic and instantly disappear from view if a potential prey is drawn on the horizon. The best prevention of this behavior will be a standard leash that allows you to control the movement of the animal. In general, once on the street, West Siberian huskies demonstrate terrible independence and almost do not pay attention to the owner, preferring to do their own business. Sometimes it is difficult to "get through" to the dog, but it is necessary to do this, since it is overconfident and unmanageable individuals who most often disappear on the hunt.

Feeding

West Siberian huskies prefer animal protein to replenish the reserves of energy spent on hunting and training. Any lean varieties of meat, starting from lamb and ending with beef, are suitable here, and it is better if it is not a condiment – stringy trimmings, cherished pieces, etc. Give the meat raw or slightly scalded, but in no case boiled. Once a week, offal and fish should appear in the dog's bowl (preferably the cod family), while the size of the usual portion will have to be increased by a third.

Low-fat sour milk, cereals from coarse cereals, heat-treated seasonal vegetables also diversify the menu of the ZSL. Vitamin supplements should not be neglected either, since few people manage to balance the diet with the help of exclusively natural products. Feeding the West Siberian husky with "drying" is regarded as a completely acceptable option, but the desire to save money in this case will have to be abandoned. Low-quality feed will not only not saturate the animal, but also ruin its digestive and urinary systems.

Important: West Siberian huskies are usually not fed before hunting.

Health of the West Siberian husky

Centuries of natural selection and the harsh climate of the West Siberian Plain have polished the health of animals to a reference state. As a result: West Siberian huskies have excellent immunity and practically no genetic diseases. The main enemy of the breed is forced inactivity, provoking a lot of ailments, ranging from obesity to joint diseases. Hunting trips also pose a danger to the health of dogs. The huskies, who are keen on chasing the beast, can be injured by flying into trees, although they recover from such "accidents" surprisingly quickly. Often animals are bitten by snakes, ticks and small predators, so timely vaccination against rabies and treatment from ectoparasites will not be superfluous. In addition, ZSL can become infected with worms from caught and eaten game, so do not forget to replenish the veterinary first aid kit with anthelmintic drugs.

How to choose a puppy

• Males of the West Siberian husky are more independent, prone to escapes, and also often find out the relationship in the pack. At the same time, the "boys" have pronounced breed traits and look very colorful. The "girls" of the ZSL are less spectacular in appearance, but they are more accommodating and easier to learn. The only disadvantage of bitches is regular estrus, interfering with hunting.
• When choosing a puppy for hunting, ask about the working achievements of his parents, or better yet, look at one of them in action.
• Give preference to outwardly healthy, moderately well-fed babies who react to your arrival with curiosity and ringing barking.
• Do not trust too much the old, "grandfathered" methods of selecting the best puppy (checking on a log, squeezing the husky's belly with your fingers, selecting the color of the paw pads), which are so popular among inveterate dog lovers. In 99% of cases, such "tests" do not give any guarantee that the individual you choose will be perfect.
• Check with the breeder what kind of litter the bitch has and when was the previous one. It is optimal if the dog gives birth no more than once a year. In addition, many dog handlers believe that the first litter of West Siberian huskies is not the most successful.
• It is possible to test puppies for the acuity of hearing and smell. In the first case, you need to wait until the kids fall asleep and click your fingers over them. The puppy who will be the first to react to the noise, and will have the most outstanding hearing. The sense of smell is checked by eating, setting a bowl of food in the distance and watching which of the puppies will be the first to smell an appetizing smell.

Price of the West Siberian husky

The West Siberian Husky is not the most expensive breed. On average, a healthy, vaccinated puppy with documents will cost $150-$200. If the exterior of the future pet is not so important, you can contact a single breeder instead of a kennel. Usually professional hunters engaged in breeding along the way, rely on the working qualities of the offspring, pushing the appearance of the dog into the background. Such puppies are much cheaper – from $70 to $100.