Features of keeping a husky in an apartment
One of the most beautiful and sought-after breeds among dog breeders is the husky. She is able to bring many funny and pleasant moments into the life of her owner, however, there is a controversial position about whether it is possible to keep such a pet in an average apartment. To make housing comfortable for representatives of this breed even in urban high-rise buildings, you need to know the nuances of keeping such a dog and caring for it. All these issues will be discussed in detail in our article.
Features of the breed
Huskies have some external resemblance to wolves, since they inherited their features. Initially, this breed was used only for riding purposes. Hardy and agile huskies could carry quite heavy loads, as well as travel considerable distances, transporting a person in a team in a team.
Representatives of this breed are quite tall - at the withers huskies reach 0.62 meters. The dog's coat is colored in a combination of gray and white, white can prevail on the face and chest, legs and abdomen, while the back and top of the head are gray. Most often, the eyes of such pets are blue, however, there are dogs with brown eyes and even a heterochromic iris color. The ears of the animal are located high on the head and have an acute triangular shape.
The nature of the pet is independent and proud by nature, but at the same time, most huskies combine these qualities with incredible friendliness and affection. Huskies rarely show aggression even towards strangers.
An important feature of this breed is the inability to bark. They do not show importunity and do not like to beg the owner for goodies, like some other breeds. Often, huskies find the most convenient place in the apartment and like to spend time there, while their favorite places can change over time.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before you get such a dog in a city apartment, it is worth weighing the pros and cons of such a decision. The positive aspects include the following.
- Huskies are naturally very clean pets.
- These dogs can be kept in a high-rise building without worrying about the barking disturbing the neighbors and the owners of the dog themselves. Such a biological feature as the inability to bark is very convenient for keeping in an apartment building.
- Thanks to loyalty and kindness, representatives of this breed are able to become true friends for their owners.
- Huskies love children and play with them with pleasure. Due to the lack of aggressive traits in the character of the dog, it will not pose a threat to your child.
Among the disadvantages of having a husky dog in an apartment, it is worth highlighting the following features of their behavior and needs.
- Such a dog will not exhibit the qualities of a watchdog, so if you want a dog to ensure the safety of your home, this breed is not the most suitable breed.
- Keeping a husky in a small or one-room apartment will be problematic, because the dog needs enough space, she does not like a very enclosed space.
- Such a pet is very curious, and his curiosity can negatively affect the condition of household utensils and furniture. Huskies can gut pillows, sometimes spoil the upholstery or other textile accessories. If the dog wants to get to an object, then, most likely, it will manage to do this, removing all obstacles in its path. Without the proper approach to raising, huskies can become real destroyers.
- It makes no sense to take a husky to a high-rise building if no one is in the apartment most of the time. Sociable dogs love company, while loneliness only harms them due to the lack of the ability to channel large reserves of energy in the right direction. It is in solitude that such dogs, as a rule, spoil things and upholstery.
- Such an animal is difficult to isolate, because due to their natural inclination to explore space, huskies sometimes even begin to understand how the locks on the doors open. Make sure your home is adapted to these unpredictable Husky dispositions.
- For some, the disadvantage will seem the need for a fairly long walk with such a dog - at least 2 hours a day. However, less time outdoors is not enough, and the dog will not be calm after a short walk.
Thus, a husky dog can live in a city apartment only if the owner has the opportunity to pay due attention to the animal and give the necessary physical activity.
Necessary conditions for keeping
It is worth dwelling in more detail on the conditions which must contain a husky dog.
- The dog needs to run and jump every day, however, an apartment is not a very suitable place for such activity. To meet the needs of the animal, you should take it for a walk 2 times a day.Ideally, it costs more than an hour to walk each time, allowing the dog to enjoy playing in the active air and even training it. However, remember that the freedom-loving representatives of this breed can encourage the dog to run a long distance from the owner, so you need to use a leash.
- You should also take timely care of your pet's coat. Huskies tend to molt profusely, usually a couple of times a year. From time to time you need to comb out small hairs with a special brush.
- Pay special attention to feeding your husky. In order for your dog to eat properly, it is necessary to include a large amount of protein in its diet. Meat makes up at least 60% of the animal's diet. Also, the dog will benefit from cereals, sea fish and vegetables. At the same time, fermented milk products, as well as eggs, should not be actively used in the dog's menu.
- In addition to the diet, you need to take into account the feeding regimen, which depends largely on the age of the dog. For puppies, feeding is carried out 6 times a day; after they turn 3 months, the food supply is reduced to three times a day. From six months, food intake is carried out twice a day, and when the dog reaches the age of one year, it is necessary to switch to a one-time feeding regimen.
- Due to its thick coat and active lifestyle, the dog can get hot from time to time (especially during the warm season), so always make sure that there is cool water in its bowl.
- You should also take care of such a breed in the heat by bathing the dog in the bathroom. The water should be at room temperature or cool. This is especially helpful on hot days. In this case, you should not expose the animal to stress or hard training so that it does not get tired. The best time to be active in the summer is early morning or before sunset.
- It is also worth knowing that clipping wool in the heat is categorically contraindicated, as it can lead to the opposite effect. Thanks to the protective layer in the coat, the dog's body does not heat up so much, and without this layer, the animal is at greater risk of getting heatstroke.
Thus, it is necessary to keep a husky dog without deviating from these rules, otherwise the animal may experience discomfort. This, in turn, can lead to a deterioration in both the well-being and the behavior of the dog.
Education and training
Special points that each owner should pay attention to are the education of the husky and the process of training it. The first point is key in shaping the character of the animal. To raise a faithful friend who will be obedient at the same time, you need to raise a small puppy very responsibly, observing the following rules.
- When building the character of a pet, a person must himself show such traits as consistency and firmness. Husky should understand from a young age the rules of family behavior, as well as what can and cannot be done. Indulging a puppy's whims can significantly spoil his character in the future.
- During the first two or three weeks, when the puppy is very young, it is recommended that he does not stay alone in the apartment at all. It is in the first month, according to the opinion of the dog handlers, that the backbone of the basic qualities is formed in the dog, which will be throughout its life, and the task of a person is to strictly monitor this process. Only after this time has elapsed, you can gradually accustom the dog to the fact that the owner may be absent at home.
- It is important to train your puppy to the toilet on time. Little huskies need a litter box. The process of accustoming begins at the age of 1 month, while it requires a fair amount of patience on the part of the owner. It is necessary to develop the puppy's regimen of visiting the toilet - in a third of an hour after feeding, the pet should be near the litter box.
As for training, the emphasis in it should be mainly on obedience commands.Since the nature of the Husky is not inherent in nature, making them fighting dogs is a very risky endeavor. During cruelty training, a dog can experience psychological breakdowns, which in turn can lead to unpredictable negative consequences.
Active training is optimal for this breed of dog. In the process of playing during a walk, the dog can be taught to obey commands. Due to such training, the dog will not only develop its character, but also release its energy reserve, which will be another positive moment for it.
Owner reviews
There are many husky owners among Internet users who share their experience and recommendations for keeping such animals in a city apartment. Some people believe that this breed is more suitable for those owners who themselves love sports and lead an active lifestyle. Often times, husky dogs even accompany their owners in such hobbies.
According to some reviews, keeping huskies in high-rise buildings is not very difficult if you devote proper time to walking. The owners also note that the apartment must be equipped with air conditioning, otherwise the result may be discomfort for the dog in a hot room. Among the negative reviews, there are such that an abundance of wool and frequent shedding are the main problems of representatives of this breed living in apartments.
You can watch the video about the peculiarities of keeping a husky in an apartment.