How to raise The Alaskan Husky As a Pet

Not a breed of dog, the Alaskan Husky is instead a category or a type.

Falling short of being classified as a breed, there are no types preferred and no ancestry restrictions.

Its definition is derived from its purpose, which is a sled dog that is quite efficient.

Type specializations do appear in the categories, like freight dogs including Malamutes and the Mackenzie River Husky, Distance Alaskans and Sprint Alaskans.

Many Alaskan Huskies have a pointy tail and pointy ears that curl over which means they actually fall under the classification as dogs that are spitz-type.

For world class dog sled sprint racing contests, the Alaskan Husky is the choice sled dog. The truth of the matter is that none of the northern purebred breeds are able to match its sheer speed for racing.

Events of speed racing which are demanding such as the AnchorageFurRendezvouz and the AlaskanOpenNorthAmericanChampionship are won invariably by teams of Alaskans or teams of Alaskans that have been interbred with gun dogs or hounds.

For their endurance and toughness, hounds are a good choice. Speeds that win are usually over nineteen miles per hour for 3-days racing at between twenty to thirty miles per day.

Alaskan Huskies which are able to go through the demanding standards of performance for dogsled world-class racing are quite valuable. A racing lead dog at top levels is worth as much as ten to fifteen thousand US Dollars.

Those which are not able to meet the standards of performance for breeders of mushers are usually sold to mushers that are less competitive, so they can continue to run.

Alaskan Huskies are moderately sized; with an average of between thirty-five to forty-eight pounds for females and forty to sixty pounds for males. Some resemble Siberian Husky racing strains superficially but are somewhat leaner and smaller with a tuck-up that is more pronounced.

Marks and colors do not matter to drivers of racing. Alaskan Huskies can have any marking or pattern and can be of any possible color of canine. Eyes can also be of varied color and can at times be light blue. Medium to short length coats are usual.

Alaskan coats are never long and are usually not as dense as purebreds of the north. The coat length which is shorter is predominantly to fulfill the need for efficient dissipation of heat as the race progresses.

In extreme cold, 'dog coats' are often put on as Alaskans race to protect their bellies.

Dog booties are also often required especially in races of long distance to protect their paws from cracks and abrasion so that factors such as climate resistance and hardiness that prevail in other breeds such as the Canadian Inuit Dog and the Siberian Husky are lessened in the Alaskan Husky to the important factor of speed.

At rest stops on the trail on races of long distance, they need considerable attention and care.

During winter in extreme northern regions such as Alaska, they are killed occasionally by moose. At times, in harsh conditions such as deep snow and long cold snaps, moose are drawn into areas for humans due to scent of the fresh straw dog beddings.

In these types of encounters, huskies have a tendency of not backing down and many injuries can be caused by dogs that have been injured by the moose. Many of these encounters happen in runs when mushers startle moose on trails by accidents.

Many times, fights can be avoided but when it is not easy to escape, a sled team can be confused with a wolf pack and can become attacked by the moose.

Dog sled professionals are usually surrounded with fences that are high for the prevention of attacks of wildlife. A low fence is important as well for keeping infectious rodents out by being carriers of parasites.

Generally a dog that is healthy, some Alaskan Husky strains are sometimes prone to problems of health that are genetic not unlike the ones found in purebred dogs.

These include hypothyroidism and PRA. Dogs that are 'wheezers' have a larynx deformation sometimes occur. This makes dogs have noises of wheezing as they breathe.

Bred by Mushers not to be picky eaters, Alaskan Huskies are prone to eat garbage in settings that are urban. This can cause bowel and stomach issues in Alaskan Huskies that grow up in the city. Alaskan Husky life spans are usually between ten to fifteen years.

Quite affectionate, Alaskans are bred for cuddling with people and other dogs. Puppies will usually walk to a dog they don't know and try to get a cuddle.

Quite athletic, it is a full time job trying to keep up with their endurance as they never seem to become exhausted. Also an adventurer, Alaskan Huskies love breaking out of routines and enjoy car rides immensely.