| Learn the facts on maintaining good health, grooming | | | | household pets as they have a strong hunting instinct |
| needs, living conditions and more when it comes to | | | | and may turn on them. Though playful, loving and |
| the Alaskan Husky. | | | | generally docile, the Alaskan Husky is not a good |
| The Alaskan Husky is not truly a 'breed' of dog in the | | | | indoor pet. They can be difficult to housebreak, and |
| traditional sense. The name is actually a classification | | | | get bored easily, especially if left alone. Alaskan |
| for this working and sled dog. There is no written | | | | Huskies will become destructive, tearing things or |
| breed standard for Alaskan Huskies and it is not a | | | | running around in circles. They also need a lot of |
| registered breed or show dog. Alaskan Huskies are | | | | room to run as they have a lot of energy and need |
| the descendants of several dogs: Siberian Husky, | | | | to exercise frequently. If outside, Alaskan Huskies do |
| Alaskan Malamute, Border Collie, German Shepard and | | | | need to be watched closely as they will dig under |
| possibly a few others. Most Alaskan Huskies have | | | | fences in order to hunt or run. They also do not |
| brown eyes, but can also have blue or blue-brown | | | | make good watchdogs, as they will greet everyone |
| combinations. They are about 20 to 24 inches high | | | | with friendly barking and have been known to play |
| and average about 35 to 65 pounds, giving them a | | | | with any stranger entering their territory. As a result |
| slim build. Since this dog is used primarily for work, | | | | of their mixed heritage, Alaskan Huskies have |
| colors and markings are unimportant in breeding and | | | | relatively little health problems, though some are |
| vary widely from dog to dog. Alaskan Huskies can be | | | | prone to gastric torsion (bloat) and if they do not |
| pure black, totally white and everything in between. | | | | get enough exercise will quickly become obese, |
| Tails can be long and curly or barely there. The ears | | | | leading to other health problems. There is a website |
| are often times prick ears, but some Alaskan Huskies | | | | that has great information on Alaskan Huskies and |
| have ears that droop. They do not need a lot of | | | | most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain |
| maintenance, as their coats tend to be short to | | | | to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, |
| mid-length, but do require extra brushing twice a year | | | | best food choices and more, the website is called: |
| during shedding season (particularly in the spring when | | | | Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url: |
| shedding is the heaviest). The coats are wooly and | | | | By Robert W. BenjaminCopyright © 2006 You |
| thick (a protective measure when in their native | | | | may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on |
| environment) so they are better suited to cooler | | | | your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety |
| climates. Living on average about 10 to 15 years, the | | | | and without modification except for formatting needs |
| Alaskan Husky is good with children, but not other | | | | or grammar corrections. |