At least once a week I have the same interaction with a fellow dog owner: they yell from a distance, “ARE YOUR HUSKIES FRIENDLY?” Then I freeze, and depending on my mood or read on the situation, I answer accordingly.
“YES!”
“No…”
“…ummm, maybe the three of them are a little overwhelming for your one dog?”
But regardless of how I respond, I’m never really SURE how to answer the question. I feel like I need a small pamphlet to hand out…or maybe a video of them cuddling my cats. I want to yell back, “yes, of course!” Because they are—they LOVE everyone and everything SOOOOOOOO much. But, at the risk of insulting the breed, they’re also socially oblivious and kind of annoying.
Sure, you and I see an adorable ball of fluff, but to another dog I imagine the ear-forward, in-your-face-ed-ness of a Husky is a little much. To dogs, Huskies are that person you don’t really know at a party that are just… too close. You know the type: they’re touching you for no apparent reason and are close-talking you so aggressively that you can smell what they had for lunch. Pretty soon without even realizing it you find yourself physically… backing… away… UGH! Close talkers are terrible.
So are my Huskies (to other dogs).
Now imagine THREE close talkers with the persistence of telemarketers. It's like the human equivalent of if spiders could fly—maybe we just burn the whole world down and end it now?? Believe me, as you’re walking your dog into Armageddon, blissfully thinking “OMG!! New dog BFF’s,” I’m watching your dog like a hawk and they’re going, “OH HELL NO!”
Dead serious. Watch their face.
There is one exception. Have you ever stopped to consider who loves the close-talker? Like, how does a close-talker get married, start a family? Who could possibly handle that?? (Yes, I stay up late at night and think of the most ridiculous things). It's got to be another close talker.
Huskies LOVE Huskies.
For some reason, without fail, Huskies love other Huskies derpy behaviour: the yipping and woo-woo’ing, the tail pulling, the pouncing, the hurdling, the play bowing… the literally BULLDOZING each other over at high speeds. Huskies LOVE it. I love it. But I can tell you who doesn’t: your dog.
So, next time YOU get a Husky crush, imagine your mom setting you up with that obnoxious boy or girl in high school who smelled like olives and talked your ear off. Envision lighting yourself on fire and running into a wall just to get out of the conversation…and do your dog a favour:
Passing glance, polite hello…. and RUN!
*FLYING SPIDERS*
A new kid has officially joined the Herding group! The Belgian Laekenois is the latest breed to join the herding dogs. If you’ve never heard of this breed, you’re not alone. Many are familiar with the more famous Belgian Malinois, Belgian Tervuren, and Belgian Sheepdog; however, the fourth of the Belgian herding breeds, the Belgian Laekenois, isn’t as well known. All four Belgian breeds are all highly trainable as herding dogs, and, due to their intelligent and loyal natures, can frequently be found doing police, search and rescue, and therapy dog work.
The American Kennel Club granted the Laekenois (pronounced lak-in-wah) full AKC recognition and competition eligibility in 2020, so expect to see the breed in the ring. (Interestingly, in Belgium, all four breeds are categorized as a single breed, the Belgian Shepherd.)
The Laekenois are known for their curly, wire-haired coat that varies from fawn to mahogany in colour. Originating in the Belgian town of Laeken, they are the rarest of the four breeds; sadly their numbers dropped after serving as messenger dogs in both World Wars. The Laekenois is so rare, in fact, it is estimated there are only about 1,000 in the world!
As with most herding breeds, they were bred to protect the flocks and the fields throughout their farmer’s property and are versatile, athletic, hardworking dogs. While they are intelligent and trainable, they are not for everyone, as they need a regular routine of exercise, training, play, and overall engagement. However, the rewards are many: they are loyal and affectionate with those closest to them and intent on pleasing their families.
Say hello to the newest terrier and toy breed! The Biewer (pronounced Beaver) Terrier is the newest member of the Toy Group to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. This little terrier has traits that stem from the Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Havanese, and Bichon Frise.
The Biewer Terrier originated in Germany in the 1980s and was first known as “the black and white Yorkshire Terrier” and later the Biewer Yorkshire. In 2007, Mars Veterinary geneticists studied the genes from 10 Biewer Terriers and, as a result, the Biewer became the first breed in history to be recognized as a purebred due to a genetic study. It is now the AKC’s 197th recognized breed. Yet to this day, the Biewer Terrier has not been officially recognized by the German Kennel Club and may be the only AKC-recognized breed currently unrecognized by its country and Kennel Club of origin.
Biewers are known for their loyalty, happy-go-lucky attitude, and large personalities. Their naturally long and silky tri-colour coats range in texture from cotton to silk and require daily grooming maintenance unless kept in a shorter puppy cut, which only requires weekly brushing and regular trimming. This athletic and versatile little breed may only weigh four to eight pounds when fully grown, but they are hearty, energetic, and trainable, able to go on hikes and long walks, and compete in a wide range of dog sports outside of the Conformation ring. These elegant, charming dogs exist to love and be loved and will delight and entertain with their child-like personality.
—Yaunna Sommersby
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