Animals - Siberian Husky Domestication

Animals - Siberian Husky

DOMESTICATION HISTORY of the SIBERIAN HUSKY

Background and History of the Siberian Husky:

The Siberian Husky is a working dog bred primarily for its pulling strength, physical endurance, and resistance to extreme cold. The breed was originally developed by the Inuit Eskimo people for the express purpose of pulling sleds across the vast snow- driven plains of the very harsh environment in which they lived by fishing, seal trapping, and waling.

The Inuit culture favored a dog that was not particularly dependent on human companionship, valuing their worth as a working team member instead. Consequently, the modern Siberian Husky is not particularly responsive to human beings, at least not to the degree that we have learned to associate with many other domestic breeds (Larkin 2006). To those of us raised in Western culture where dogs are often pampered indoor pets, it may seem callous to leave Siberian Huskies outside in the bitter cold of winter, sleeping on snow and never joining their human companions inside, but because the Inuits selected the Siberian Husky for specific traits consistent with their needs in a canine working partner.

The Siberian Husky is a medium-large dog, standing approximately 23 inches at the shoulder on average for males and 21 inches for females, weighing approximately 50 pounds and 40 pounds, respectively. It has a medium length coat that is extremely efficient at insulating the animal from the extreme cold of the open tundra because of its double thickness. Its coat serves a dual purpose, insulating it from both frigid cold as well as from overheating from direct sunlight. The coat itself is primarily varying shades of brown and white, but may actually feature just about any color variation. Twice a year on average, Siberian Huskies shed their undercoat layer over approximately two to three weeks..

They have a thick tail that is useful for protecting their sensitive noses from the cold while sleeping in a curled up posture outdoors and particularly strong legs and sturdy chest structure and musculature to support the constant stresses associated with prolonged running while pulling a heavy sled.. Their ears are pointed and normally remain standing straight up at all times. Siberian Huskies are fastidiously clean and will lick themselves much the same way cats do, especially if their fur becomes soiled or muddy. For this reason, they do not require regular bathing and many owners actually bathe them only once or twice a year (Larkin 2006). It is not clear how their breeding would have favored their unique eye color range, but Siberian Huskies are known for their striking eyes that often differ one from the other in the same animal; as a matter of fact, it is not uncommon for Siberian Huskies to have eyes that present two differently colored irises in a single eye (Larkin 2006). The breed is exceptionally strong for its relative size and possesses remarkable endurance, both of which are attributable to selective breeding by the Inuits for the purpose of pulling heavy sleds over very long distances across the open snow-covered plains (Larkin 2006).

Like other Siberian Husky traits and behavioral characteristics, their extreme stamina and physical endurance likely derives from their similarity to the wolf. Wild wolves hunt by tracking game for many miles, often for days on end, searching for opportunities. Because they generally hunt prey that is much larger than themselves, they typically must identify the weakest individuals for any reasonable chance of success. In addition to requiring extensive pursuit from far enough away from the prey to avoid detection, they must then pursue the targeted animal for miles, sometimes through thick snow before their first actual opportunity to initiate an attack (Conniff 1999).

Very recently, scientists at Texas a&M University actually initiated a study designed to identify the mechanism responsible for the unique ability of Siberian Huskies and other sled dogs to sustain long-term aerobic exercise without tiring. That research identified a previously completely unknown ability to shift their metabolic processing of energy supplies in a manner that sharply increases their endurance by avoiding depletion of glycogen and other forms of energy stores that in humans limits the amount of work capable of being sustained for any comparable length of time without suffering fatigue and eventual physical collapse (Robson 2008). For purposes of comparison, a human marathon runner burns approximately 100 calories a day per pound of body weight during competition; the sled dog burns 240 calories per pound of body weight, sustaining that rate of energy use, incredibly, for weeks at a time rather than just for hours. Scientists believe that by identifying the specific biomarker that operates as the "switch" for the sustained energy production mechanism in sled dogs, it will permit the future development of methods of increasing physical endurance in humans. This application would have obvious benefits in the military, among other conceivable potential uses (Robson 2008).

Canine Domestication Theories:

Modern animal behaviorists differ substantially in their theories of what specifically accounted for the eventual differentiation of wolves (Canis lupus) into a completely distinct new species of dogs (Canis familiaris). Generally, it is believed that artificial selection in the form of human intervention is responsible by virtue of our choosing the friendliest and tamest of wolf cubs to raise as pets.

According to this theory, ancient man would have lived in fairly close proximity to wild wolves who scavenged our refuse for nourishment. Occasionally, we would have had the opportunity to raise orphaned (or captured) wolf cubs and by breeding them selectively for traits valued by humans (such as friendliness, intelligence, and tameness), we created a new species with all the characteristics now familiar to us in domestic canines (Coppinger 2001).

The alternative theory suggests that rather than humans taming wolves, ancient wolves actually may have tamed themselves, so to speak, by choosing to overcome their natural fear of man in order to benefit from a symbiotic relationship. According to that view, wild wolves would have gradually become accustomed to living close enough to ancient human societies to scavenge for food, ultimately losing their fear entirely.

Their cubs would have been very easily tamed through early exposure to people during the critical imprinting phase and thereafter through their development in much the same manner as domestic dogs (and other animals) are so much more easily tamed and trained before adulthood than as feral adults (Coren 1995). Regardless of which theory is closer to the truth, the end result was the same: wolves were gradually tamed and selectively bred over many generations to produce domestic canines. Domestic canines differ substantially from their ancient ancestors in several very significant ways that reflect human preference for pets that are more responsive to our needs than independent like wolves, as well as much more accepting of human leadership (Morris 1993).

Subsequently, humans further differentiated domestic canines by selectively breeding dogs for very specific behavioral traits such as size, temperament, intelligence, coat, and for particular abilities such as superior speed, endurance, hunting instinct, retrieving urge, comfort in water, and myriad other traits associated with the many modern breeds of domestic dogs. Interestingly, whereas domestic canines and wolves are two different species altogether, all modern canines are members of the same species (Canis familiaris), regardless of their profound differences in size, shape, appearance, and behavior.

Genetically, Great Danes and Jack Russell Terriers are indistinguishable, despite their obvious differences. While exceptionally improbable from a statistical perspective, in principle, any canine species could spontaneously produce a puppy of another breed altogether. Nevertheless, modern dog breeds differ from each other considerably; in that regard, the Siberian Husky is unique in its suitability for the work for which it was bred over thousands of years.(Larkin 2006).

The Siberian Husky Breed as a Working Dog and a Pet:

In terms of temperament, the Siberian Husky is not particularly responsive to, or dependent upon human beings for attention and affection. In this respect, the Siberian Husky has retained more wolf-like characteristics than other breeds. Whereas breeds selected more specifically for companionship greatly appreciate focused human attention and affection, the Siberian Husky, like tamed wolves, seem merely to tolerate human interaction (Budiansky 2000).

The Siberian Husky needs exercise in copious quantities and will become restless, frustrated, and destructive without it, taking out its excess energy on furniture and anything else in its environment. Therefore, it is not a good choice of pet for individuals who are unable to provide regular exercise sufficient to drain its naturally high energy level. It is virtually impossible to tire a Siberian Husky through ordinary exercise, because it was bred for the express purpose, not just of running long distances, but doing so while pulling a heavy sled, often against a strong headwind (Morris 1993). Siberian Husky owners may involve themselves in the sport of dog sled racing for this reason.

Also like its wolf ancestor, the Siberian Husky maintains a relatively strict hierarchy or "pecking order" among its pack. Pack members often engage in squabbles among them and experienced sled racers learn which dogs must be run together or separated, even if they are not privy to exactly what causes certain dogs to get along much better with various pack members than with others. Siberian Huskies do not bark the way most other domestic canines do, but howl amongst their pack members much more the way wolves do.

As pets, they are known to vocalize by whining or yowling, which must be addressed through corrective training to avoid becoming a persistent behavioral annoyance. Because they do not bark, they are largely incapable of performing satisfactorily as watchdogs because they will not alert to the presence of strangers in the manner desirable for watchdogs (Coppinger 2001).

Similarly, Siberian Huskies are not as threatened by strangers as are many domestic dogs; therefore, even if they were able to bark, they are as likely to greet a stranger on the property with a sniff and a wag of the tail (or perhaps, more likely, with indifference) and will not perceive stranger as a danger to themselves or their families.

The Siberian Husky also exhibits a hunting prey drive that is more reminiscent of the wolf than many other domestic dogs and may be unpredictable around other household pets, particularly those that trigger its hunting instinct by their rapid movements. For this reason, Siberian Huskies must be introduced with caution to other pets such as cats, ferrets, Guinea pigs, and hamsters. As puppies, they will accept other pets more readily instead of considering them prey, but it is a considerable issue in the case of adult Siberian Huskies not raised with other pets..

On the other hand, Siberian Huskies are very good with children, tolerating their attention patiently. This may also have something to do with their closer similarity to the wolf, as wolves are particularly known for their extreme patience with cubs and for tolerating their trying behavior. It is not clear exactly how dogs know that human children are infants, but it is obvious that certain breeds, such as Siberian Huskies recognize that human children warrant the same treatment normally reserved for puppies, or in the case of wolves, cubs (Morris 1993) Training Siberian Huskies:

Siberian Huskies are not particularly easy to train for several reasons, also probably related to their closer similarity to the wolf than are other domestic dog breeds.

They do not take very well to corrections and are prone to protesting after being given commands with which they disagree, especially when followed by corrective techniques using tension on the leash. They will sometimes yowl or even shriek as if in extreme pain after corrections; needless to say, they are not well suited to inexperienced trainers or to owners who are sensitive to external appearances (Derr 2001). Similarly, Siberian Huskies are more prone than other breeds to running off, stealing food, and destructive digging. In their natural habitat, Siberian Huskies often dug snow holes to escape the bitter cold and wind-blown snow; consequently, they will transfer that behavior to domestic environments, digging under even well-constructed fences until they manage to wriggle out completely (Gladwell 2006).

In domestic situations, this behavior, combined with the Siberian Husky's strong prey drive may result in tragic circumstances of attacks on neighborhood pets. Siberian Huskies also contribute to the incidence of unwanted impregnation of other dogs, both pets as well as loose dogs, because of their ability to escape from confinement and their tendency to roam long distances once on their own (Coppinger 2001) Scavenging and resourcefulness with respect to finding food is another distinctly wolf-like trait shared by Siberian Huskies, causing them to steal food rather aggressively wherever it is left unattended, which may also increase their motivation to dig their way out of enclosed areas. Inside the home, Siberian Huskies may express great creativity getting into locked compartments and stealing food for other pets, even pets with whom they have already learned to coexist peacefully (Larkin 2006).

In terms of other forms of training, Siberian Huskies are notoriously impatient pupils who lose interest and focus relatively quickly in comparison to many other more trainable breeds. This, too, is likely a function of the degree to which the breed was selected for wolf-like traits relating to endurance rather than for more dog-like traits such as human bonding. Whereas dogs will instinctively look to humans for solution to problems, wolves do not. In typical experiments of this type, domestic canines are presented with food that requires them to pull a rope to receive it. After several trials, the rope is reconfigured so that it no longer allows them to pull the food all the way to the dog. Domestic dogs will always look toward the human present in the room, even nudging or otherwise seeking out assistance (Budiansky 2000).

Wolves in the identical situation will not look to the human for help, but continue their own efforts indefinitely. Siberian Huskies are far enough removed from wolves that they will behave like other domestic breeds in this particular scenario, but the experiment serves to illustrate the difference between them. Siberian Huskies do not maintain direct eye contact with humans, even their owners, in the same manner as most other dog breeds, which may be considered a more subtle illustration of the same difference, in principle, between wolves and domestic canines as regards their human relationships.