Husky Needs a Home - Page 2

Hundmutter, a Sibes tail will curl typically when they're either excited (can be when they're playing), proud ...or in a higher mental state in the pack, like if a lower member of the pack approaches them the tail will go up high, or territorial when something else is wanting to enter their yard (another dog), they'll hold that tail up high and curled.   When I walk my four Sibes, the only one who ever has his tail high/curled is Max, the oldest...and the leader among the pack.   The others' tails are usually medium level just kind of floating, or down.   After a while Max's tail will go down, but if we're approached by another dog on the street, his tail goes back up, but usually they stay back because they know I'll take care of the situation.    Now if the dogs are just chillin out......their tails seem to be just in a regular down position and relaxed.   There are some oversized Sibes out there, some people breed them just for that, some breed long coats that are oversized for that matter.......those look hiddeous (the long coated ones).  The Sibe (or Malamute) in the picture looks nice, but slightly overweight.  I "have" seen Sibes who were much bigger than my male Max (Max is 23 at the shoulders and 56 lbs) too though. They were taller and weighed quite a bit more.  The standards call for 60 lbs at the most for a male and 23 and 1/2 inches at the shoulders.

Thanks GSDGuy. That all fits with my impressions of Siberians - which I mainly see standing around at dog shows or on film of sled-racing.  Though they seem to be becoming more popular as pets here in UK -n usually  hauling people around on flexi-leads who look hopelessly out of control !     [Hovawarts have similarly 'expressive' tails, too.]
Glad someone else noticed the dog on this post looks a little chubby.

Yes, Yukon could definitely stand to lose about 10 lbs. He's not seriously overweight, but I can't feel his ribs easily, either. He's also having problems with arthritis, and fell down the last 3 stairs in his new home yesterday. The vet has put him on a baby aspirin a day for the arthritis, something I'm not too happy with, because of the risk of bleeding. I've recommended they get some glucosamine for him.

When I see them at church today, I'm going to remind them this dog has probably had NO exercise for about a month now, so they need to TAKE IT EASY with him. I'll also reinforce that he needs to lose some weight for the sake of his joints.

Appartently, the shitzu, which is NOT neutered, is being a bit of a prick, and bossing him around, and he's submitting to it. They also have acquired a kitten, which he wants to lick. The kitten's not too happy about that, but isn't freaking out about it either, and they will probably wind up being good friends.

The best news is they say his tail hasn't stopped wagging since they brought him home!  

I still think he's a mal, even though his tail doesn't curl much. Siberians are square in outline, as you see from the photos of the two breeds posted above, and have a shorter muzzles. Yukon is longer than he is tall, and has a longer muzzle, and I think he's around the same height as my female GSD, who is 25 inches.

And, being a fan of the Shiloh shepherd, I know how easy it is to breed a dog that has a poor tail! (The giant malemute that was bred into the shiloh to increase size and bone causes many of the shilohs to have poor tails. The correct tail is the same as the GSD's, except fuller in the longcoated shilohs.)

My Shiloh friend has an absolutely perfect GSD tail.  (Shame about the shape of the rest of him!)
Glad Yukon is happy - sorry to hear about the arthritis.  Arthritic dogs :  yes, exercise controlled, little and often is best. Kind of agree about the aspirin, but there are problems whichever way you go with pain relief. Gluco. supplement all well and good but it won't do much by the time its got to this point.  Don't worry too much about the Shid Tzu - early days yet.