East Siberian husky, the description and photo of which will be presented in this article, in its present form, there are about 2 centuries. Although the modern look was preceded by many modifications of ancient types of dogs.
Laikes are not a decorative breed, but their popularity has increased recently. Why are these dogs so cute for people? How to identify the breed among the rest? How to care for them, and how much do they cost?
East Siberian Laika: history of the origin of the breed
Millennial modifications preceded the modern appearance of modern husky dogs. The ancestors of this breed were animals living in the expanses of harsh Siberia. The peoples who inhabited this region needed strong, hardy helpers who could walk great distances in snow, strong winds and blizzards, as well as carry considerable loads on themselves.
On the territory of Siberia there were several peoples with different religions, cultures and characteristics. Some of them appreciated dogs with a red color, others preferred pure white, others considered only spotted animals worthy. Such a selection led to the fact that unknowingly, there was a selection of huskies: individuals with a certain color were hatched.
In addition, the price included strong individuals with a good hunting instinct. Therefore, these dogs were crossed only with their own kind. So, from generation to generation, this skill has not faded away, but, on the contrary, has developed. So the modern breed of East Siberian husky was formed.
In the 19th century, 10 breeds of dogs that were similar to each other, but with their own characteristics, were bred in Northeastern Europe. They all got the name huskies. In Russia in 1874 the first exhibition of hunting breeds was held, at which the breed of huskies was also presented.
Interest in this breed - the East Siberian Laika - grew every year, especially among fans of real Russian hunting. But among a large number of varieties, not everyone was destined to enter the ranks of hunting breeds. It was hunting with an East Siberian husky that was held in high esteem by true hunters.
Some famous personalities of the 19th century even mentioned this breed. In his literary work "Album of the Northern Husky Dogs" in 1895, A. A. Shirinsky-Shakhmatov gave a complete description of these dogs at that time.
In 1981, in the Soviet Union, the breed of the East Siberian husky was officially approved and endowed with its own standards for further breeding. Currently, this breed group is fully studied, but at dog shows it is always represented by small quantities of breeds. Despite the small variety of types of huskies, people inexperienced in this matter often confuse them. Especially often confused are West Siberian and East Siberian.
The purpose of the breed
Based on historical information, the breed of the East Siberian husky, or rather, its ancestors were intended for hunting. For this purpose they were bred.
So, huskies are excellent hunters who are used not only to chase game and fur, but also to bully a large wild animal.
Peoples living in the north of Russia often use huskies in dog teams to transport people, loot and other goods. These animals are not only very hardy, but also good "navigators". They are hard to knock off the trail, unless the weather is raging.
Some people like husbands as watchmen. But in this role they are not particularly effective, since their main purpose is hunting. Yes, and on a leash, dogs feel uncomfortable.
Very rarely, but East Siberian huskies are used as guides for people with limited physical abilities.
The appearance of the breed
Description of the East Siberian husky should start with the fact that representatives of this breed are divided into 2 categories. Which of them refers to a particular individual is indicated in the gene characteristics of the dog:
- Leningrad category. These are animals of compact size with pointed lines in profiles.
- Irkutsk category. These are true hunters based on their appearance: their body sizes are large, and the whole appearance is more frightening compared to the Leningrad category.
The ancestors of the Leningrad category were huskies of the Tungus breed. Nurseries of East Siberian huskies are actively breeding this category.
The appearance of the "eastern" breed is characterized by the following characteristics:
- A large, massive body with a rounded neck and a developed area of the withers. Growth of males from 57 to 70 cm at the withers, females 53-65 cm. Weight from 20 to 40 kg.
- The back is wide, without pronounced bends.
- The abdominal area is taut.
- Thoracic region with elongation, wide and deepened.
- The front legs are high and straight, the hind legs are muscular, imperceptibly shorter than the front, the bend passes at a right angle.
- The head is large, the cranial bones of the front of the face are wide, and the occipital protuberance is clearly visible on the back of the head.
- The tail is large and always bent in a ring or in the form of a spiral.
- The coat is dense, thick and slightly longer than other varieties of huskies. Especially thick scruff.
- The color of the East Siberian husky is mainly the following: black and tan, black and white, pure black or white, zoning, red, gray, fawn, spotted, except for a bright red color.
- The nose is always black. A brown nose or black with a splash is considered a flaw.
- On the legs and face, the coat is short but dense.
The life expectancy of representatives of the East Siberian breed is 12-15 years. Despite the popularity of the breed and the desire of many to get such a dog in their apartment, the animal will still feel uncomfortable in such conditions. She needs a lot of space and a sense of will.
Character, behavior, habits
East Siberian huskies are born hunters. They are fast, hardy (they can pursue prey for a long time), fearless: they rush even at large dangerous predators. In addition, dogs are well oriented in unfamiliar areas, they will need only a little time to adapt. They tolerate climate change well without harming their own health.
In open areas, in forests and fields, dogs feel comfortable. Under these conditions, a real hunter wakes up in them. Despite the fact that animals show a certain amount of aggression in relation to the pursued prey, they are more than friendly to their owners.
The man for the East Siberian huskies is the owner, so devotion is one of the main virtues of dogs. And despite the fact that aggression to likes is practically not peculiar, yet they act as good watchmen: brave and courageous. A man can only attack a person if he is a threat to her, her puppies and the owner.
Dog Care and Maintenance
Since purebred East Siberian huskies are rare, it is better to purchase a few modified companions. The latter look the same as genetically pure individuals, but less demanding on care and maintenance.
East Siberian huskies can be kept both in an ordinary apartment and in an aviary outside the city. But if the first option is expected, then do not forget about the regular walking of the dog. It consists of a daily trip to the street in the morning and evening, the duration of one walk is 3 hours.
Bathing a dog is worth 1 time in 2-3 weeks, in the summer you can often. Oriental huskies love water, so you won’t have to persuade them to swim. Use only special shampoo for dogs and no other. In addition to bathing, husky hygiene includes: brushing your teeth and combing your hair often, looking for parasites and ticks, as well as periodic vaccinations.
A long and thick coat is prone to seasonal molting. For this, it is worth preparing for the owners containing the pet in the apartment. Those who keep the dog in the enclosure should also not ignore this process. Care during molting is to constantly comb out the hair with a special comb for dogs. This will allow Laika to quickly get rid of the old cover and get an updated, more smooth and shiny.
Weekly, you need to check the dog’s ears, eyes. If necessary, these organs are cleaned and buried. Apartment huskies are recommended to cut their nails with special forceps.
As for feeding, in this matter the pet is unpretentious. It will be enough two meals a day with special dry food or natural food (meat, vegetables, cereals, fish). Many hunters have developed this mode of feeding huskies: a third of the daily portion is given in the morning, and the rest after hunting or physical exertion.
Puppies are fed more often than adult representatives of the East Siberian husky. The weight of babies should be constantly added. Therefore, the number of feedings varies from 3 to 6 times a day, depending on the age of the growing offspring. The kids menu should include vegetables, meat and fish, milk.
During the winter cold, it is necessary to give the dog warm and, preferably, liquid foods rich in fats. Such a diet will allow the animal to accumulate more subcutaneous fat and easily weather the weather.
In addition, huskies need salt for active life. Enough will be 10 grams per day.
Training
Experienced masters of such huskies are unanimous in the fact that if not all, then very many can cope with training of the East Siberian breed. Accessible include the execution of simple commands: "sit", "lie", "aport", etc. But only an experienced hunter should be engaged in coaching the beast.
In training it is impossible to show cruelty to the animal when it fails to fulfill the commands. It is necessary from the very beginning to let the husky understand who the owner is, then she will not show signs of leadership.
Difference from the West Siberian breed
East Siberian and West Siberian huskies are different. Even a person inexperienced in the matter of dog science will be able to see this.
The first thing you should pay attention to is the color of the representatives of these two breeds. If you look at the living or in the photo of the East Siberian huskies, the first thing that catches your eye is their rich black, even singed, color of their fur. This color is inherent in the vast majority of individuals of the breed. For the West Siberian, such a coloring of wool is completely uncharacteristic.
But dogs of both breeds also have individuals of brown, red color. Therefore, in this case, you will have to pay attention to the following differences. The East Siberian representatives are larger in physical terms, they are not only higher, but also slightly longer than the Westerners. The constitution of their body is somewhat rougher and more aggressive, since it is "designed" for hunting.
Another difference is the shape of the ears: eastern huskies have more rounded ears at the ends, and the landing of this organ is located in line with the eyes. Western huskies have sharp, almost crowned ears.
Experienced dog experts and husky owners claim that you can distinguish the eastern from the western by the look and character. The former look more faithfully and trustingly at their masters. In their habits, they are ready to obey and always follow the instructions of the owners. West Siberian representatives, on the contrary, are more sly in their eyes. They differ in the habits of the leader and do not always follow their masters' lead.
Owner reviews
Many avid hunters, and just city dwellers, prefer the East Siberian husky puppy, who grows up as a loyal friend, as their faithful four-legged ally.
All owners of such dogs speak well of their wards:
- Hunting with an East Siberian husky is always successful, because the hunting instincts make the beast fearless, strong and fast.
- Dogs show themselves well as watchmen, although they are not intended for this.
- Likes are loyal friends and always follow their master.
- In communicating with children, dogs show friendliness and affection.
- Even though the East Siberian huskies are not created for a “roomy” existence, however, they coexist perfectly in an apartment and feel quite comfortable.
This breed is practically deprived of cons. Except for a considerable cost for a puppy of East Siberian husky. But this factor also depends on some circumstances.
Buying dogs
To get a worthy assistant in hunting, before buying, you should carefully study the pedigree of the dog, as well as its description of the full characteristics. A husky puppy must be a descendant of two working individuals without tracking crosses with other husky subtypes and, of course, with other breeds.
If you plan to buy a puppy for further shows at exhibitions, then in this case it is worth taking a closer look at the color, since this is the determining factor for such purposes. It is better to choose a teenage puppy in whom the color acquires its final shades without further changes.
As for the age of the puppies to buy, then 1.5-2 months is considered ideal.
The cost of an East Siberian husky puppy depends on the pedigree of the dog. If available, the price for 1 puppy will be $ 300. In its absence - 150.
East Siberian husky puppies (photo)
For one reproductive process, the female gives birth to 3 to 5-6 puppies, so it will be easy to find a pet of this breed. When choosing a baby, do not give preference to the largest animals. The thing is that the size of a puppy is far from an indicator of the superiority of an individual over its brothers.
As they grow older, growth is corrected, and even small puppies easily catch up with tall ones. Flattered by the size of a 2-month-old baby, you can not consider him a real hunter. Therefore, it is worth choosing by gender (males are suitable for hunting), color and the absence of external flaws.
Should I buy such a breed of dog?
Before buying any animal, including husky, it is worth weighing the pros and cons so that in the future it is comfortable for both the owner and the pet.
The East Siberian Laika is objectively worthy of attention. The advantages of the breed include:
- mind;
- obedience;
- light training;
- endurance;
- excellent health;
- excellent hunting instincts;
- good watchman;
- excellent adaptability to different environmental conditions;
- goodwill;
- contact with a person;
- unpretentiousness.
The listed qualities are characteristic of all representatives of the breed. But this does not mean that you cannot get a dog with the following disadvantages:
- wayward character;
- desire to be free, as a result of which the dog can run away;
- propensity for domination and non-fulfillment of teams.
Conclusion
East Siberian husky is a breed of dog that needs decent care. It should be purchased by avid hunters, as well as people living in private homes. Despite the dogs' good adaptation to many conditions, a husky is not suitable for apartment living.
Proper care and maintenance of East Siberian huskies will provide their owner with healthy and active pets.