Also known as the Karafuto Ken, the Sakhalin Husky is an energetic and obedient breed. But how do you know whether you are ready to purchase a pet and if this breed is right for you? This information is absolutely necessary in making the decision to purchase a pet.
History
The exact origin of the Sakhalin Husky has not been well documented, though the breed dates back as far as early 20th century Japan. Enthusiasts believe these dogs to have descended from such breeds as the Japanese Spitz and the Akita, though this has never been proven scientifically or otherwise.
Throughout its history, the Sakhalin Husky has been most commonly used for sled pulling, hunting game such as fox, and as a watch dog, proving its superior abilities to work in the harshest of climates and terrain while providing companionship.
Today, while the Sakhalin Husky has attained a regional popularity as a working and companion dog, the breed remains extremely rare outside of its native Japan.
Personality Traits
Best known for its energetic and devoted nature, the Sakhalin Husky loves to keep busy with work and play. These active dogs thrive on strong and dependable relationships with humans, and often look to their owner for leadership and direction. This breed is very bright and generally easy to train. As a pet, the Sakhalin Husky is obedient, loyal, and loving. The Sakhalin Husky is not suited for full-time indoor or apartment living, as it enjoys spending time outdoors and having plenty of room to roam, run, and play.
Train-ability
Due to its need for human leadership and eagerness to please and impress its owner, the Sakhalin Husky generally responds well to basic training and commands. This intelligent breed has the ability to learn to perform most any task its trainer is willing to take the time to teach.
Establishing immediate dominance, trust, and respect is key to successfully training the Sakhalin Husky. These dogs require a confident, patient, and caring handler with a stern yet gentle approach to repetitive exercises and tasks.
Benefits and Disadvantages of the Breed
There are many benefits to owning the Sakhalin Husky. This intelligent breed is easy to train, obedient by nature, and capable of learning to perform many impressive tricks and tasks. When properly socialized from a young age, the Sakhalin Husky gets along well with small children and other pets, known for making friends quickly due to its need to belong to a pack. These dogs are alert and aware of their surroundings, making incredible watch dogs by announcing the arrival of guests and unwanted visitors, and serving as a deterrent to would-be intruders, based on appearance alone. The Sakhalin Husky is obedient, loyal, and loving, making an excellent working dog, family pet, and companion alike.
Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages to owning a Sakhalin Husky. These energetic and athletic dogs require large amounts of daily exercise and room to run and play outdoors. Anyone wishing to purchase this breed lacking the adequate amount of time and space to dedicate to the dog is strongly advised against doing so. A Sakhalin Husky not receiving the proper amount of exercise and space will often act out by destroying property, chewing, barking, whining, and ignoring basic training such as housebreaking.
The Sakhalin Husky has a strong instinct to hunt and will occasionally indulge in a good chase. When on the run, these dogs are very quick, and may pose a threat to other animals, neighborhood pets, and small woodland creatures. The Sakhalin Husky must be leashed or properly secured at all times when outdoors.
As previously mentioned, the Sakhalin Husky remains extremely rare outside of its native Japan and can prove difficult to obtain. Individuals seeking to purchase this breed often encounter such challenges as inability to locate a breeder, incredibly high prices, and being placed on long waiting lists.
Common Health Concerns
While the Sakhalin Husky is typically known as a healthy and hearty breed, they do suffer from a few health problems, including: hip dysplasia, likeliness to develop cancer, congenital heart defects, distichiasis – ingrown eye lashes, digestive issues, sensitivity to heat, primary lens luxation – dislocation of the lens, and bloat.
Now that you know all about the breed, do you think you are ready to own a Sakhalin Husky? Remember, purchasing a pet is a big decision and should be discussed thoroughly and seriously with your entire family.
Sources:
http://www.heydogs.com/k/karafuto-ken.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sakhalin_husky
