They are hard working, loyal and loveable.
They are hard working, loyal and loveable.
With thick coats, these friendly canine athletes thrive in cold weather and are a popular draw whenever the Siberian Husky Club of Greater Cleveland makes appearances.
“Members love sharing their passion for the Siberian Husky, just seeing the children’s eyes light up when they see them and adults alike,” said Paula Harding, longtime club member. “The joy it brings when they pet them and getting kisses are priceless.”
Geauga Park District’s annual Frozen Fest Jan. 20 at The West Woods in Russell Township had perfect weather for the cuddly, fluffy, polar dogs, who participated in a meet-and-great with attendees.
“Dogs bred for this type of work are extremely smart, skilled at working as a team and very social,” said Teresa Runion, GPD’s Frozen Fest organizer. “The dogs at Frozen Fest are perfect ambassadors for this exhilarating sport (sled racing) and we are excited to welcome them and their people back each year.”
Harding said members of the husky club get together for dog shows, programs, monthly meetings, picnics, fun walks, the I-Did-A-Run 5-K and sled dog races.
“We have a great group of people that like to show off their dogs,” Harding said. “Most of all, we all love the breed and do our best to educate the public.”
The Siberian Husky Club of Greater Cleveland was formed in 1960.
“We try to educate (people) on the breed by providing information pamphlets (titled) ‘Are You SURE You Want One?,’” Harding said.
Donna and David Hansen have four Siberian Huskies.
Luna, 5, Dakota, 3, and Bella, 2, visited Sunday.
David leaned inside his Subaru and placed new booties on the dogs’ paws.
“They are very loving and gentle creatures,” Donna said.
However, she added, they can be one of the most abandoned breeds turned back in if owners are not educated on their needs.
“They like to run and are very good escape artists,” Donna said. “If they want to get out, they will get out.”
Harding said Siberians were bred to run.
Club Vice-President Mary Groth said they are her favorite breed, but they do have many challenging characteristics.
“They have been breed for centuries to run as fast as they can on a trail. That is what they are genetically designed to do,” Groth said. “Depending upon the dog, they might like to jump and play or need lots of walks, but they are also great house dogs. They love people and easily become part of a ‘humanpack.’”
However, quiet they are not.
“They always have something to say,” Harding said.
Siberian Huskies’ wolf-like howls can extends to barks, yodels and singing.
They require and want a strong leader and set very high expectations for you as their leader and trainer.
“You have to set rules and be consistent when they are young and you will have no issues,” Groth said, adding they love to dig deep holes and have a very strong prey drive.
However, Groth would not own another breed.
“The bond they form with their humans is truly special,” Groth said.
Some club members, like Groth, race their dogs.
This year has been tough.
“I had an injury over the summer and am still getting back together,” Groth said.
“So, I kind of decided we would take the year off. It worked out this has been a great year to have to take off.”
They usually start training when the temperature stays below 40 for a continued time and don’t train above 40.
Groth said, however, animal rights groups have and continue to cause problems for sled dog sports and the breed, which love what some people consider very cold weather and love to work in a harness.
“You really can’t make a dog run in harness,” Groth said. “You can make a person who doesn’t want to run do it, but you can’t make a dog. They are not people.”
The huskies love days like Sunday, when it’s 9 degrees Fahrenheit and mostly clear skies, Groth said, adding the best temperatures for running Siberian Huskies range from -10 degrees Fahrenheit to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (not including wind-chill).
She said when it is 27 degrees Fahrenheit, it might feel like 10 degrees for a human, but for a husky, it feels like 27 degrees and they do not like it.
“It is too warm for them to work and they aren’t happy,” Groth said.
The Siberian Husky Club of Cleveland will host, weather permitting, Punderson Sled Dog Classic Feb. 23 and 24 in Newbury Township. The free event is held at the golf course.
Spectators can watch a musher and the dog teams at the start line and walk to the other side of the parking lot to watch the finish, with two-, four- or six-dog teams going out every two minutes, running a mile per dog.
“The dogs go crazy when they see the harness and howl and bark up a storm of excitement,” Harding said. “If you see they’re getting ready to race, stand to the side and be amazed at the dogs’ power, excitement to run and the bond between musher and their dogs. The snow trails at Punderson State Park are beautiful. So don’t forget your camera.”
