Siberian Huskies are beautiful dogs that have been bred over the years for the specific task of pulling sleds over long distances in the snow. These dogs are known for their thick fur coats and friendly demeanor. Huskies can now be found in homes all over the world and are known as great family dogs. When considering whether or not to bring a Siberian Husky into your home, it is important to keep in mind that the characteristics that have been bred into these dogs for so many generations can create special challenges if you are not prepared for them. Some of these characteristics and suggestions for dealing with them appear below.

1.Siberian Huskies are working dogs and were bred to endure a very high level of physical activity. It is important to understand that your new Husky will need to engage in vigorous exercise for at least 30 minutes a day every day. You should be prepared for at least one brisk walk per day so that your Husky has an outlet for its high level of energy. Another option is to put your Husky on a treadmill if you are not able to walk him every day. Huskies are extremely smart dogs and most learn to use a treadmill very quickly. Be sure to never leave your dog on a treadmill unsupervised. If your Husky does not get the exercise that it needs, it's likely that he will start engaging in destructive behavior. It's not that he is trying to punish you ? it's just that he was bred to run the Iditarod and you are not providing him with an appropriate outlet for all that energy.

2.Siberian Huskies are not good watchdogs. In general Huskies are very friendly dogs and are rarely aggressive toward people. Your Husky will probably not alert you to an intruder in your home. In fact he might not even wake up. If he does wake up to someone taking your valuables, he is more likely to greet the thief with a wagging tail that to chase him away or bite him. The only thing a Husky can use to frighten an intruder is his intimidating appearance. Because of their fierce appearance and similarity to wolves, many people make the mistake of assuming that Huskies are dangerous. Hopefully, any would-be burglar will think the same of yours.

3.Huskies are not big barkers. In general, Huskies are pretty quiet dogs. They don't usually bark at doorbells or other dogs. They have, however, been known to howl, especially if you have more than one. A Husky's howl can be very haunting and can also be very annoying to your neighbors. Huskies are also known for ?talking? to their owners. This ?talking? takes the form of a very unusual sound, somewhere between a howl and a moan. It is a very funny noise and specific to this breed of dog. You may find yourself having extended conversations with your Husky in your own special language.

4.Huskies have a lot of fur. I mean a LOT of FUR. Because they were bred to live in far northern regions, Huskies have a very thick coat of fur as well as a very thick undercoat. This enables them to live in frigid temperatures and survive outside in ice and snow. It also means that they need regular grooming. Huskies go through a regular shedding cycle twice a year. This is known as ?blowing their coat.? If you have a Husky, you know why. Because of the thickness and quantity of fur, you must be prepared to brush your Husky daily. It is not advisable to clip or shave Huskies, so you will need to brush yours regularly to get rid of loose fur and to keep him comfortable in warmer weather.