BREED PROFILE = SIBERIAN HUSKY
Temperament
The Siberian Husky has a gentle, affectionate and friendly disposition. They are highly intelligent and have an independent spirit. This can prove to be challenging but easy to over come as they are eager to please. Also helped by consistency in training and 'house rules'. As they are so gentle they are brilliant with children and other dogs. However cats and small pets will have to be introduced when your husky is a puppy as they have a natural hunting instinct. The Husky will accept the small animal as part of their 'pack'. The Siberian Husky thrives in a loving family environment and does well with a lot of affection. They can live singularly but also like being in a pack and while they do not have a 'favourite' person they will be aware of the 'pack leader' in the household. This is usually a male.
Maintenance
Despite the Siberian Huskies size they do not eat a huge amount. A dry natural food is ideal for the Husky and on occasion rice, meat and vegetables. (please do not feed tomatoes or grapes). They only shed twice a year, this is when they lose their warm undercoat. Brushing is only necessary at this time. The Husky does not have the 'doggy' smell and keep themselves clean. Bathing is also not necessary unless they are filthy - a mild shampoo will do. Personally we use shampoo for babies/kids as they are hypo-allergenic. The Siberian Husky does need exercise - though they should not be over exercised as a puppy as this can affect their joints in later life. Mine have between 30 mins to an hour a day walking/running. They also have play time with toys especially tennis balls. Mine seem to prefer this exercise more as they have more interaction with us. Exercise should be lessened in the heat.
Average Sizes
Weight for a Male: 45 - 60lbs
Weight for a Female: 35 - 50lbs
Height for a Male: 21 - 24 inches
Height for a Female: 20 - 22 inches
Temperament
The Siberian Husky has a gentle, affectionate and friendly disposition. They are highly intelligent and have an independent spirit. This can prove to be challenging but easy to over come as they are eager to please. Also helped by consistency in training and 'house rules'. As they are so gentle they are brilliant with children and other dogs. However cats and small pets will have to be introduced when your husky is a puppy as they have a natural hunting instinct. The Husky will accept the small animal as part of their 'pack'. The Siberian Husky thrives in a loving family environment and does well with a lot of affection. They can live singularly but also like being in a pack and while they do not have a 'favourite' person they will be aware of the 'pack leader' in the household. This is usually a male.
Maintenance
Despite the Siberian Huskies size they do not eat a huge amount. A dry natural food is ideal for the Husky and on occasion rice, meat and vegetables. (please do not feed tomatoes or grapes). They only shed twice a year, this is when they lose their warm undercoat. Brushing is only necessary at this time. The Husky does not have the 'doggy' smell and keep themselves clean. Bathing is also not necessary unless they are filthy - a mild shampoo will do. Personally we use shampoo for babies/kids as they are hypo-allergenic. The Siberian Husky does need exercise - though they should not be over exercised as a puppy as this can affect their joints in later life. Mine have between 30 mins to an hour a day walking/running. They also have play time with toys especially tennis balls. Mine seem to prefer this exercise more as they have more interaction with us. Exercise should be lessened in the heat.
Average Sizes
Weight for a Male: 45 - 60lbs
Weight for a Female: 35 - 50lbs
Height for a Male: 21 - 24 inches
Height for a Female: 20 - 22 inches
BREED PROFILE = MINIATURE SHAR PEI
Temperament
The Mini Shar Pei is a highly intelligent dignified breed. They are extremely loyal and devoted and can be protective over their family. To avoid this they need early socialisation. They are good with other dogs when introduced from puppy. They are also very good with children proving to be patient. Their play can be boisterous as puppies and may have to be watched with very small children. Being so intelligent they can have a mind of their own but learn easily and very quickly with consistency in training and house rules. They do well with a lot affection and ours like nothing more than snuggling up to have a nap.
Maintenance
The Miniature Shar Pei eat the average for a dog their size, which is obviously not as much as a standard Shar Pei. There are 2 types of coat; Horse coat - which is very short, the original Shar-Pei and Brush coat which is slightly longer. They do not need to be groomed or bathed often. We bath our ours with a babies/kids shampoo which is hypo-allergenic something like Infacare. Bathing should be kept to a minimum as they can have sensitive skin. In the heat they can sweat between their wrinkles, depending on how wrinkly and heavy the coat is. Keeping this dry will be fine. They do not need a lot of exercise mine have 20 mins walk a day and play time too. Their build is naturally stocky and muscular. I find that mine do not like going out in cold weathers especially rain but they love the sun. Time in the sun should be limited
Average sizes
Weight of Male: 25 - 40lbs
Weight of Female: 25 - 40 lbs
Height of Male: Not more than 18 inches
Height of Female: Not more than 17 inches
Temperament
The Mini Shar Pei is a highly intelligent dignified breed. They are extremely loyal and devoted and can be protective over their family. To avoid this they need early socialisation. They are good with other dogs when introduced from puppy. They are also very good with children proving to be patient. Their play can be boisterous as puppies and may have to be watched with very small children. Being so intelligent they can have a mind of their own but learn easily and very quickly with consistency in training and house rules. They do well with a lot affection and ours like nothing more than snuggling up to have a nap.
Maintenance
The Miniature Shar Pei eat the average for a dog their size, which is obviously not as much as a standard Shar Pei. There are 2 types of coat; Horse coat - which is very short, the original Shar-Pei and Brush coat which is slightly longer. They do not need to be groomed or bathed often. We bath our ours with a babies/kids shampoo which is hypo-allergenic something like Infacare. Bathing should be kept to a minimum as they can have sensitive skin. In the heat they can sweat between their wrinkles, depending on how wrinkly and heavy the coat is. Keeping this dry will be fine. They do not need a lot of exercise mine have 20 mins walk a day and play time too. Their build is naturally stocky and muscular. I find that mine do not like going out in cold weathers especially rain but they love the sun. Time in the sun should be limited
Average sizes
Weight of Male: 25 - 40lbs
Weight of Female: 25 - 40 lbs
Height of Male: Not more than 18 inches
Height of Female: Not more than 17 inches