- October 12, 2018
- Dogs and hunting with them
- Oleg Petrov
How to choose a husky puppy to go hunting with is of interest to everyone who is going to look for prey in the forest. The Laika is a versatile dog breed that is best suited for hunting birds and large game. Many people prefer it, thanks to the flair and special innate qualities of this animal. However, you need to remember that, in addition to proper upbringing, it is important to decide at the very beginning which puppy from the litter is best for you. To do this, you need to know proven techniques, which we will discuss in this article.
Bitches or males?
When deciding how to choose a husky puppy, it is important to initially correctly determine its gender. Males are always much larger in size, moreover, they are aggressive, and their character requires a well-thought-out training system. Most often they are used to hunt big game, that is, bear, wild boar or elk. They also have a certain drawback: right during the hunt, dogs can start fighting among themselves, losing their tracks, and besides, it can be difficult to repurpose them for a hare or a bird.
Therefore, in order to know how to choose a husky puppy, you must clearly understand who you will hunt most often. Bitches are smaller in size from childhood, much weaker than males, but at the same time more resilient. They are easier to train, and they also have a loyal and flexible character. Their main advantage is versatility. If you wish, you can train a bitch to use huskies for both large and small animals, and birds. But they also have a significant drawback, which is periodic sexual activity - they have to be regularly distracted by bearing puppies and caring for them.
Care and nutrition
Laikas are fairly unpretentious animals, but they still require care for normal development.
Wool is a subject of special attention. In a healthy dog it is smooth and shiny. It is necessary to comb the coat as often as possible, since the animal sheds very often. Wash the dog as needed.
Laikas are active animals; you need to take them for walks more often, provide them with regular movement and spacious areas for walking. Otherwise, they may get bored and lose their physical fitness.
For food they choose porridge, meat, and offal. You can give vegetables and dairy products. It is also useful to give bones to strengthen teeth.
Laika, like no other breed of dog, is very sociable; its representatives need a lot of attention. Young dogs can be trained. It is useless to train adult dogs. From an early age, the pet is taught to obey. He must obey his master and follow his commands. If you do not carry out any educational work in childhood, then it will be much more difficult to deal with an adult.
The process of education and training is based on strengthening basic reflexes. Laikas successfully carry out basic dog commands: the earlier the training begins, the better the effect.
Special qualities
The key qualities of this dog can be identified early on and will help you understand how to choose a Husky puppy for hunting. These include sense of smell, which depends on the complex development of dogs’ sense of smell, vision and hearing. It is possible to determine at an early stage whether a particular puppy has these qualities only by indirect signs. If they exist, special attention should be paid to their development.
Another quality that you need to know about when figuring out how to choose a Laika puppy is its ability to quickly search for prey. This is especially important when hunting birds. In this case, the optimal running style for a dog should be a gallop, occasionally turning into a trot. Interestingly, these qualities often depend on temperament. For example, Karelian-Finnish breeds are characterized by a faster pace, while West Siberian breeds are characterized by a more restrained pace.
Finally, it is important how trainable the dog is. As a rule, huskies easily learn and assimilate commands. The main thing is to regularly remind them of the dominant role in the pair between the hunter and the dog.
An important rule to follow when you are wondering how to choose the right Husky puppy: contact only trusted breeders. It is advisable that someone recommend them to you. Be sure to find out the pedigree and possible health problems.
Determining the purpose of the purchase
Before getting a breed such as a husky, a person must determine the purpose of the purchase:
- if he plans to use the husky exclusively for hunting, then he needs to choose a puppy from working parents who have relevant experience in hunting game;
- if you plan to buy a dog for participation in exhibitions and breeding, then you should opt for a female, and she must have very good blood;
- If you need a husky to participate in winter sled dog competitions, then you need to contact breeders who raise animals specifically for this sport.
Visual inspection
It is important to know what to look for when examining an animal in order to understand how to choose the right husky puppy for hunting. You should definitely check his bite.
A normal bite is considered if the upper jaw slightly covers the lower jaw. In this case, the puppy should have six incisors on each of the jaws. There should be no obvious signs of disease or chips on the teeth. In addition, the puppy must give a voice.
Additional signs
There are some additional signs that can help determine whether a dog is in normal health. This is a good activity - the puppy should make confident runs and, if necessary, quickly take a sitting position. It is desirable that his eyes are dark brown, not sunken or bulging. Check that the puppy does not have an umbilical hernia, the tummy should be pink and clean, the same applies to the ears and eyes. In addition, his dewclaws must be removed. This is done to increase the area of the sole, which directly affects stability, and indirectly affects endurance.
Remember that your future hunting companion must have certain character traits, the foundations for which are laid in puppyhood.
Behavioral factors
Already as a puppy, you can determine what behavior he will have when he grows up. A hunting dog should not be overly aggressive, because it must unquestioningly carry out all orders, and, if necessary, independently transfer the prey to the owner. At an early stage of development, puppies develop qualities such as independence and calmness. At the same time, they must be able to stand up for themselves.
Also an important behavioral factor for a husky should be the ability to not lose contact when looking into the eyes. This trait will indicate that the dog will be focused and brave in the future. It is important to watch how she behaves during feeding. It is good if the puppy makes its way to the rear nipples, which contain the most milk, while pushing away the sisters and brothers.
Plus, if the pet is constantly searching for food, this will become the basis for a complex interaction between all senses.
Karelo-Finnish Laika
There are also specific tips for choosing a puppy, depending on what breed you are considering. The explanation of the question of how to choose a Karelian-Finnish husky puppy is not much different from the general advice that has already been given in this article.
The main thing is that it is best to buy dogs from a certified kennel, where they are seriously involved in breeding them. It is worth paying special attention to the parents of your future pet. It is desirable that his ancestors were certified. This is especially important for a puppy, from whom they want to turn into a real, well-trained hunting dog.
Pay attention to the fact that the puppy has white and even teeth, shiny and smooth hair, characteristic of dogs of this particular color, erect ears, transparent, clear and clean eyes without any discharge. The tail should be in the form of a ring and not damaged.
Three main differences
1. Coat
Husky is dressed in short and thick hair. Shedding is noticeable twice a year. The color combines tones from black to white.
Laikas have longer, coarser fur and a noticeable canine spirit. The color is varied, different shades are allowed, there may be stripes and spots.
Drawing on the face
The husky's muzzle is decorated with a pattern that goes from the forehead to the eyes. It looks like a heart or the letter "M". The color of the husky's muzzle is arbitrary.
How the tail is worn
The husky's tail is crescent-shaped and set below the line of the back. In an excited state, it can rise, but does not twist to the sides and does not lie on its back.
The tail of huskies is curled and falls over the back.
Attention! Many people believe that all huskies are blue-eyed, but this is not true. The iris of this breed can be brown or different, one eye is blue, the other is brown.
Yakut Laika
The Yakut Laika is one of the classic representatives of the aboriginal lines of northern hunting dogs. It is noteworthy that in their appearance they are somewhat different from their relatives. These are muscular, tightly built dogs with high legs.
It is important to understand how to choose a Yakut Laika puppy. It must comply with the standards existing for this breed. The dog's head should be large enough, as wide as possible in the frontal part, and harmoniously set. It is characterized by a spacious and high forehead, as well as a rounded skull, a pronounced, but not too sharp transition to the front part. Such a dog has flat and well-developed muscles. The eye sockets are heavy and the area under the eyes is filled.
Already young dogs should have a correct bite, healthy and snow-white teeth in full. An acceptable change of bite from correct to straight can be formed in these dogs by the age of three. The brown or black nose should be large and wide. Expressive almond-shaped eyes with an attentive gaze. The ears are hard and large, triangular in shape with characteristically rounded tips. At rest they are raised, and during work or running they are pressed to the head.
The tail is thick, of medium length, and is carried over the back or pressed to the thigh.
General characteristics of the breed
There are currently many species of huskies, and they all share a number of common genetic characteristics. At the same time, each breed also has its own character trait.
The main characteristics of Laika dogs are their love of freedom and independence. They have well-developed hunting instincts, which do not disappear even in dogs that have never been hunting. They have a strong attachment to their owner, but are difficult to train. To develop any skills, your pet will have to be taught them from early childhood. It is worth noting that these animals are very smart, disciplined and clean.
Likes are divided into three main subgroups, each of which has its own characteristic features:
- Shepherds. Compact dogs with long hair. The skull is wide, the muzzle is short, the eyes are yellow or green. Dogs of this type are used by shepherds to look after the herd.
- Riding or polar. The largest group. Tall dogs with large bones. They are used to transport people in sleds in the Far North.
- Hunting husky. Dogs common in both Europe and Asia. They are the main assistants of hunters. Hunting huskies have excellent hearing and sense of smell.
Modern species are divided into four subspecies, each of which has its own standards. The following are the main varieties.
Russian-European
One of the more common species is the Russian-European Laika, description of the breed: medium height, strong construction, color most often varies in combinations of white and black tones. The maximum height can reach 58 cm. The eyes are set askew, the color of the eyes is brown for any coat color. The ears are sharp, small, triangular in shape. The tail is set quite high and curled over the back. The coat is thick, mostly short, on the neck it is longer and forms a collar, on the hind legs the long hair forms “pants”. Color of the species: black, red, white.
West Siberian
The West Siberian Laika breed has a successful combination of external data and character qualities; the characteristics of the breed are as follows: a somewhat elongated body, average height and a dry structure. The ears are set high and form an elongated triangle. The back is straight, the withers stand out, they are very clearly defined. On the neck, withers and shoulders the hair is somewhat elongated, the dog has a fluffy collar and scruff, and has sideburns. The color can be very diverse: white, black, red, piebald, all shades of brown, specks are allowed on the limbs. Sometimes the term Central Siberian Laika is applied to this breed.
Karelo-Finnish
This is a very active small animal. The ears are small and mobile. The tail is long, pubescent, ring-shaped or crescent-shaped. The coat is hard and straight, mostly short, only on the neck and shoulders it is longer and forms sideburns and a collar. Feathers stand out on the hind legs. Characteristic color: shades of red, even brown.
East Siberian
Its body has an elongated shape. The maximum height of an adult dog reaches 65 cm. This variety has a very powerful backbone. Triangular mobile ears are not set very high; they can be either sharp or slightly rounded. Externally, the dog resembles a wolf. The coat is thick and long. The collar stands out on the neck. The color is different: from white to bright red and even black. Sometimes dogs of this species are called Far Eastern huskies.
West Siberian Laika
This breed is considered one of the most respected among hunters. Initially, her story was to help a person during a hunt. Outwardly, she strongly resembles a wolf, not only in appearance, but also in habits. This is one of the few breeds that were bred under conditions of strict natural selection.
Now we will tell you in detail how to choose a West Siberian husky puppy. In terms of its parameters, it must exactly correspond to the basic standards of the breed. These are dogs of medium height with developed muscles and a strong constitution. They move at a wide trot and are very mobile.
Photo gallery
We hope this article will help you decide on the choice of a pet. After all, now you know the main criteria and nuances that you should pay attention to when you decide to get yourself a Laika puppy.
Difficulty of choice
When choosing a West Siberian husky puppy, the main thing is to understand for what purpose you are purchasing it. If you need a dog for hunting, then it is better to go to avid hunters who breed them. Real breeders breed only representatives of one breed that have proven themselves well in the hunting process. In these cases, it is possible to minimize the likelihood of acquiring a bad puppy.
But to rule it out completely, pay attention not only to the pedigree, but also to the health and appearance of the baby. Even hardy and strong representatives of this breed sometimes give birth to weak puppies that will be useless during a long hunt.
As a rule, West Siberian Laikas have hunting in their blood, so the choice is quite wide. Interestingly, the cost of puppies does not always directly depend on their pedigree. Sometimes individual individuals who had no outstanding relatives are famous for such record-breaking achievements that puppies from them are sold at a higher price than from unknown parents with good documents and biography.
On average, the cost of such a dog will be about ten thousand rubles. If you take it from your hands, then it is quite possible to find an individual no more expensive than 2-3 thousand rubles. Here's how to choose a Siberian Husky puppy.
How to find a breeder
To buy a good dog, people need to take the issue of finding a breeder seriously. This process may take a day, a month, or even six months. You should use the Internet and look for sites of nurseries that specialize in breeding huskies. You can also contact the cynological community, which keeps records of all planned matings and can suggest the coordinates of the breeders.
After you have received the coordinates of the owner of the puppies, you should call him and arrange a meeting. During the first visit, it is extremely important to assess the conditions in which the babies are. The ideal option would be to inspect the litter on the 4th-5th birthday. A potential buyer will be able to assess the condition of the puppy. If she looks emaciated and exhausted, and has shabby fur, then most likely the breeder is not providing her with a nutritious diet. Accordingly, puppies do not receive the required amount of vitamins and antibodies from milk, which will protect them from viruses in the first months of life.
Laika is the best breed for hunting
