One of the brightest representatives of the northern dog breeds is the Karelian husky. This magnificent animal impresses with its beautiful colors and impressive hunter skills. How to contain Karelian dogs and what are the advantages and disadvantages of this breed?
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Origin history
Karelian-Finnish husky (alternative name - Finnish Spitz) was first noted by Pierre la Martignar, a traveler from France who conquered the vastness of modern Finland. In his notes, Martignar made a detailed description of the breed of the original dogs of dark red color. They struck the Frenchman with their temper and hunting skills.
Interestingly, the appearance of carriages remains unexplored so far. Many researchers suggest that their ancestors are wolf-like fossil dogs, which lived in the immediate vicinity of humans back in the Stone Age. Until a certain time, these dogs did not belong to one particular breed, considered ordinary mongrels, and were used by people to protect their homes and hunts. Laiki inhabited Finland, Karelia and part of the Arkhangelsk region.
In the 19th century, the Finns took up the selection of smart reddish animals. Finnish bird husky is also considered the ancestor of the modern carriage. The characteristics of the then and present breeds are very similar, but the selection left its mark on the dogs, making them more massive.The Karelian and Olonetsk fishing huskies are also recognized as additional “material” that participated in the selection.
It is noteworthy that the Karelian-Finnish husky was named so in the 20s of the last century. During World War II, these dogs were in danger of destruction. The four-legged survivors were taken to Finland. Thanks to this breed, it turned out to be preserved and propagated.
Description and characteristics of the breed
Karelian-Finnish husky is a small hunting dog with a bright color, fluffy hair and a perky tail upturned.
Likes are an excellent instance of faithful and understanding friends who are sincerely attached to their home and owners. These dogs are distinguished by exceptional goodwill and a balanced temperament. Karelians will never show aggression without a good reason.
Despite their loving and cheerful disposition, huskies have a sense of dignity. It should not even hurt his dear master.
It is interesting! To understand that a charming red husky was offended by something is quite simple - just pay attention to her tail. Annoyed animals instinctively unfurl the tail bagel and it becomes almost straight.
Karelian huskies are very wary of strangers in their territory. It is this sensitivity that makes them excellent guards.
Karelian husky life span
The average life expectancy of these representatives of the northern breeds of dogs is 12-15 years. Such indicators are typical for small dogs with good health.
But in view of the influence of the blood of other breeds, huskies have become more susceptible to a number of diseases, including:
- epilepsy;
- dislocation of the patella;
- cataract;
- allergy.
It should be noted that these pathologies are rare and are found in a relatively small number of dogs.
Dog's purpose
The main purpose of the carriage was considered hunting. With its help, people drove birds, squirrels, martens, hares. Often huskies are also used to bully bears or other large animals. Also, the devotion of these animals is often used by humans to protect and protect their homes. The magnificent exterior of the dog also makes it a wonderful pet that pleases the owner’s eye.
Breed standard and puppy selection
The height of the animal at the withers reaches approximately 42-50 cm, the weight ranges from 7-13 kg. Such dimensions allow the carriages to be mobile and dexterous.
The skeleton of the dog is powerful, the limbs are strong. The husky neck is strong, the head is heavy.
These dogs clearly show a transition from a broad forehead to a narrow muzzle. Lips adjoin each other and completely cover teeth. The latter are well developed and form a scissor bite.
Erect ears have a triangular shape and pointed tips. The nose must certainly be black (sometimes brown, but only if the animal is light-red in color). Eyes are oval, slightly slanting, brown.
The chest is lowered to the elbows. The belly is lean, the muscular back ends with a short loin. The fluffy tail is perkyly bent in the form of a ringlet, located on the back, occasionally adjacent to the side. Rounded paws end with clenched fingers.
The length of the coat is medium, in the front of the trunk the coat is hard and short, on the back it is slightly longer and softer. The shoulders and neck of the animals are covered with a collar of long wool.
Karelian-Finnish huskies are distinguished by a red shade of wool. White marks on the legs, chest, and tip of the tail are acceptable. Rare black stripes may also occur in the region of the upper tail and back.
Karelian-Finnish husky puppies should be acquired when they are 2-3 months old. Allowed the purchase of an adult who has passed a preliminary training course. Here, however, you should make sure that the animal is well raised.
Puppies are purchased in specialized nurseries.If a dog is selected for hunting, you should certainly learn about the working qualities of the producers - the latter must have certain diplomas. Characteristically, hunting skills are inherited.
The puppy should be proportionately complex. The wool of the carriages is thick, shiny and fluffy, bald spots or dandruff are not visible on it. The eyes of the kids are clear, clean.
When choosing a husky, you should choose the most curious, contact and moving puppy. The animal should not be afraid of strangers and harsh sounds. Overly aggressive individuals should not be chosen.
If the dog is chosen as a home companion, it is recommended to opt for a lady. Laika girls are more calm and affectionate, unlike males less prone to domination.
Maintenance, care and feeding
Immediately before purchasing a puppy, a breeder should ask the breeders about the features of feeding and caring for them.
The basic rules are as follows:
- Small huskies are very restless and curious, while walking they will certainly try to taste the surrounding objects. Such behavior often leads to disease. Therefore, you should worry about vaccinating the animal.
- Coat wool requires proper care. Long hairs quickly become tangled, so pets should be combed out 2-3 times a week. This approach will also help to avoid excessive molting of the dog. Trimming huskies is not recommended, as well as often bathing (no more than 1-2 times a year).
- The dog should have a place for rest, to which he is accustomed from the first moments of living in the house. Bowls with water and food should be located close to the bed, but they can be placed in another room.
- Claws should be cut about three times a year. This should be done exclusively by the owner, as the dog is nervous during such a procedure.
- Special care for the eyes of huskies is not required. It is enough every morning to remove lumps formed from dust on mucous membranes from their corners. This procedure can be carried out using rags soaked in chamomile infusion.
- As the ears are contaminated, they should be treated with special hygienic lotion or napkins.
- Once a week, you need to set aside time for a thorough examination of the dog’s ears,
From the age of three months, the dog eats four times a day, from 7 months - three times. By the year the animal switches to two meals a day. Food should be given in small portions. The base of the natural diet should be raw chopped beef, chicken (low-fat), kefir and cottage cheese, cereals (millet, rice, buckwheat), eggs. Boiled cereals can be diluted with broth and add raw vegetables or chopped meat to them. Beef bones with meat left on them are also useful for huskies.
The food left in the puppy's bowl after the meal should be removed. Subsequently, the number of servings should be reduced.
Attention! Dogs should not be treated with raw pork, as well as fish and sharp chicken bones. Huskies are animals prone to overeating, and therefore the portions offered to them should be dosed. Also, do not treat your pet with delicacies from the master's table.
It is permissible to feed the carriages with dry food as well. It is best to give preference to premium products with a high protein content and a small amount of cereals. You can buy treats designed for dogs whose mobility is very high. Within the reach of the pet should be clean water.
Training and education Likes
The process of husky dog training is quite troublesome. Offended by the rudeness of the owner, the like may simply cease to perceive it. Feeling irritated in the owner’s voice, the animal may begin to stubbornly. Handling the carriages is better firmly, but not tough, and as fair as possible. Various kinds of encouragement and praise are welcome.
Note! The difference in obedience to carriages can be traced, considering their age. It is believed that the complete maturation of an individual occurs at approximately 4 years.Until that time, the character of the dog makes them the most obedient. Teaching teams is recommended to be carried out during this period. Dogs that have crossed the four-year frontier become independent and often willful. Often animals cease to perceive the owner as such. Nevertheless, with proper upbringing, the carriages will see a person as a reliable partner, whose teams should be heeded.
Pros and cons of the breed
Brought up in accordance with all the rules, a like will not cause a person special trouble. These animals are unobtrusive, able to play independently and do not need continuous attention. Dogs get along well with children and pets, but are prone to leadership. For this reason, small children with animals should not be left alone. Additional advantages include cleanliness of the dog, liveliness and stability of the psyche. Also, Karelian-Finnish huskies are characterized by good health and longevity. Dog hair does not need heavy care, consisting of a haircut and grooming. In addition, the coat of huskies does not emit a characteristic "dog" smell.
Of the minuses of the breed you can answer stubbornness, a tendency to dominate, waywardness, the complexity of training and excessive appetite.
Karelian-Finnish huskies are wonderful fluffy companions of man. Equally well, these animals have proven themselves in hunting and protection. However, these dogs of this breed require thoughtful and thorough training.
