Huskies 'belong to colder climes'

Sean Attard

Jul 20th 2009, 09:44

@Angela Micallef

I cannot agree more with your comment. I also own a Siberian and can confirm what you are saying. My siberian with his double coat never showed any signs that he is suffering at all in Maltese climatic conditions - in fact as you say - they would rather stay in the sun and avoid airconditioned rooms (I know this beats intuition, but that's the way it is). Obviously, as with any other dog breed - the owner has to always make sure that dogs are kept in cool places with ample availability of clean cool water. What I think the AWD got wrong is that dog heat tolerance is more linked with muzzle depth and shape and dog size rather than the outer look of the dog. I am sorry that the AWD had to issue such a statement based on face-value laymen perceptions. How the AWD got to the point of stating that shaving dogs in summer 'helps' goes beyond me. I sincerely hope that the AWD publishes a counter-statement to mend this ill-advice and refrain from issuing similar stupid statements in the future.

isabella Peresso fiorentino

Jul 18th 2009, 18:45

Good luck Cliff may you find a loving happy home , which I'm sure you will

Angela Micallef

Jul 18th 2009, 09:47

I have two Siberian Huskies whom joined me from the UK 1.5years ago. I am a Qualified Veterinary Nurse of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. I wouldn't have entertained bringing them with me had I thought they would suffer. And happily I confirm, they are in very good health!

Firstly - NEVER clip their coats, it insulates them from the heat as well as the cold. In Siberia, the climate ranges from -20C to +30C....therefore they adapt to the change in heat very well. Their coats change throughout the year (believe me!). It concerns me that a representative of the AWD advised clipping.

Secondly - I do not have airconditioning, however, I ensured that the home I chose would be cool enough for them in the heat of the summer. Often, I find them laying in the midday sun, rather than inside in the cool...CRAZY...but their choice.

It's easy to make snap judgements without knowing the full facts. I aim not to condemn the behaviour of others, prior to having a broad understanding of the situation. I urge others to do the same.

Joseph Galea

Jul 18th 2009, 09:25

Irrespective of whether Huskies, Malamutes and Samoyeds can 'tolerate' the heat the sad thing is that here in Malta they are deprived of the natural elements in which, and for which, they evolved - snow, cold weather and wide open spaces.

Joe Fenech

Jul 17th 2009, 23:22

What on earth are huskies doing in Malta? We're such a selfish nation!

M.SAID

Jul 17th 2009, 21:33

@F.Borg
4 kelmiet bis sens ta veru........... another thing is that the malamutes before summer shed the thick wool they have under their fur so now they are just as fury as a german sheperd or a collie. As a malamute owner myself , like you, I think, we know things about these beautiful dogs that many commentators here dont!!!!!
My malamute is the son of ICE which is a very nice dog and a former malta champ also.

G Vella

Jul 17th 2009, 17:34

Further to Ray Buhagiar's comments, Does he think that keeping a dog in a yard cannot annoy neighbours? Should dogs only be on roof tops to annoy other people? Doesn't heat rise from the ground as well? Since very few houses in Malta have gardens, than our roof tops are the alternative, or is he saying that only people living in villas with gardens can keep dogs now? Be serious or give us a break? It should be people like Ray Buhagiar to give us dog owners a break.

John Scerri

Jul 17th 2009, 17:29

In making exceptions, that is condoning the keeping of such dogs in a basement, Mario Spiteri has contradicted himself. Keeping Malamutes and Huskies confined is a real cruelty because these animals not only need colder climates but also HUGE OPEN SPACES or lots of LONG walks outside. My Husky had to be taken for AT LEAST three walks of half an hour each EVERY DAY in any weather. (That's why he lived to be 17!) No, Mr Mario Spiteri, animal welfare director, you should come to Canada one of these winters and take a Husky for a walk in a snowstorm!!! By the way, these dogs sure become aggressive like you said EVEN WHEN THEY ARE JUST NOT ACTIVE..... How can they be kept in a basement??? John Scerri

Ray Buhagiar

Jul 17th 2009, 15:52

No dog should be left on rooftops whether shaded or not. The heat rising from the roof floor is unbearable. And then dog owners insist that they love their dogs. Dogs are pack animals and they enjoy the company of humans and not alone on roof tops. They only keep dos on roof tops to annoy their neighbours. Get serious or give us a break.

F Borg

Jul 17th 2009, 14:46

I strongly disagree with Fabio Ciappara's idea that Huskies and similar breeds should not be kept in Malta, and even more with Dr. Spiteri's idea that shaving their fur would ease their discomfort from the heat. The dog's coat can act as an insulator both to the cold and hot climates, and shaving their coats will only make them more prone to infections etc. All dogs are uncomfortable in the heat, but one should know that huskies and malamutes are more comfortable in hot weather than most of the short muzzled breeds, No dog should be kept on unshaded roofs or yards, whatever the breed. It is good to know that Malta's top winning dog is an Alaskan Malamute which I can vouch that it is not kept in a basement or an airconditioned environment, and is not just Malta's top dog, but at the moment one of Europe's top dogs, beating other similar dogs living in much colder countries. So this is a matter of how a dog is looked after. In Cliff's case, which is an Alaskan Malamute and not a Siberian Husky, is one to be condemned,people caught doing such atrocities to animals should eb punished heavily.

Kalle Andersson

Jul 17th 2009, 12:57

A little offtopic... I read an article about how street dogs kept by homeless people are usually happier than dogs kept by regular people. The article is written by voluntary vets taking care of the street dogs kept by homeless people in copenhagen.
The point is that the dogs get their natural needs fulfilled, they're outside all the time, socalize more with other dogs and are never left alone.

The article is in danish, sorry I haven't been able to find an english version.
http://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/artikel/331143:Danmark--Hunde-trives-med-hjemloese-ejere-paa-gaden

I Ellul

Jul 17th 2009, 12:39

(continues) Another reason to NOT clip / shave your Husky is that the fur acts as a protection against insects and parasites. You remove that protection the dog is exposed to even more insect problems than he would have had if he had been allowed to keep is protective coat.

Furthermore, if you clip / shave a Husky it will eventually ruin the coat and disturb the proper shedding process" (http://siberianhuskycentral.com/siberian-husky/would-an-alaskan-malamute-or-siberian-husky-do-bad-in-a-hot-climate-3)

Cliff should have been proof enough of this. How else would a dog have survived for 3 days in the scorching sun without water, had his coat not also acted as insulation FROM the heat? A shorter-haired dog without a double coat would have probably succumbed to sunstroke.

Do these dogs enjoy the heat? Definitively no. Do they tolerate it well? Yes - they are extremely hardy animals, most closely related to wolves, and, like wolves, they are extremely adaptable and shed their coats accordingly. (My house looks like it is constantly covered in a thin fur carpet this summer)

Joking aside, I hope that whoever is responsible is caught and given a lenghty prison sentence for this atrocity.

I Ellul

Jul 17th 2009, 12:38

Given the misinformed comments and the article itself, I'm willing to bet none of you own a similar dog. I'm the proud owner of an 8 month old Malamute and, although I really admire the hard work done by Mr. Ciappara and Dr. Scerri, I'm shocked at the stance taken by these men.

First off, Cliff was repeatedly mislabeled as a Husky when he is, in fact, a Malamute. I don't mind the man on the street making this mistake, but the people who work in this field should have known better.

Secondly, it is a myth that shaving double coated dogs will make them cooler.

"Dogs do not sweat like humans. Their cooling process is done via panting from the mouth, sweating at the paws and cooling the blood in their ears. Shaving the dog does nothing to keep the dog cool.

The Siberian Husky has little to no pigmentation in its skin. If you shave the Husky, you expose it to the sun without protection. Now you have a dog that can come up with a variety of skin problems including skin cancer. (continued)

J abela

Jul 17th 2009, 12:36

I love this breed - the way they look. However I totally agree as these dogs are not suitable for our climate. Few are those who can afford a 24/7 A/C switched on for oneself, let alone for the sake of a pet!..If so, the dog is in good hands. Otherwise, don't go for such breed if you can't afford a high maintainance dog.

This strategy goes to everything - purchasing a property, house, car or boat. If one struggles to afford a 3L petrol car don't buy it in the first place!.

Ann Camilleri

Jul 17th 2009, 12:24

@ Lorraine Vella: Then why don't report such an unkind treatment?

Well said Dr. Spiteri.

ms g hoare

Jul 17th 2009, 11:05

I totaly agree that these poor dogs dont belong in Malta , i know that the owners of these breed of dogs love them as much but if they really love thier dog they have to think twice , and i would suggest i thing to the owner now that the heat is on how about the OWNERS OF THESE DOGS SHOULD WEAR A FAKE FUR COAT FOR 24 HOURS AND WALK ABOUT IN THE SUN AND SIT INDOORS WITH THIER DOGS TO SEE HOW IT FEELS , THAT WOULD BRING THE REAL SITUATION OF THE DOG , LIKE I SAID I HAVE NOTHING AGAINS THE OWNERS BUT PLEASE THINK BEFORE YOU BUY A DOG OF THIS BREED.
NO LONG HAIR DOG SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN MALTA AND ANY OTHER HOT COUNTRY.

Alan Montanaro

Jul 17th 2009, 10:50

DEFINITELY a step in the right direction!! And there's got to be more control on local breeders who don't strike me as having love for animals too high on their agenda.
Given the recent spate of cruelty to animals, a Facebook page has been set up - based on the articles that appeared in The Times, demanding punishment for cruelty to animals.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52354049954&ref=mf

ABORG

Jul 17th 2009, 10:35

unfortunately, some dogs are bred locally just to make money out of these poor creatures....wihtout considering the conditions they live in such as restricted spaces, and poor hygienic conditions...which in the long term can end up to be a menace to humans too...but unfortunately the saying 'ignorance is bliss' applies in many cases locally. We need to educate the general public not after such cruelty to animals happens but before in order to avoid such cases. Well done to all those people/organisations involved in trying to educate,

Alfred Briffa

Jul 17th 2009, 10:30

I totally agree with Dr Mario Spiteri. Importantion of such dogs must be zeo-tolerated. They suffer a lot in our country.
May I suggest that besides banning importation, all the owners of such dogs MUST BE LEGALLY obliged neuter them and tag them. Thus the increase of huskies from locally breeded dogs will not be possible
Mario, keep up the good thing....as you did with the probition of smoking in public places. I support you throughout.

J. Agius

Jul 17th 2009, 10:00

Why don't the NGO's lobby for a law that bans the import of such pets that are very sensibile to hot tempatures. Last time i went to the vet there was a husky that you could see that it was not comfortable even in the airconditioning.
This is another type of cruelty to animals. the coat that these dogs have are very thick and dense to prevent cold weather.

Francis Barnett

Jul 17th 2009, 09:34

A simple answer would be to impose a punitive annual licence fee to own such dogs, and the bigger the dog the bigger the fee. It's just crazy to see huskys and great danes on the beach in the summer heat. It's says alot about the character of the owner.

philip pace

Jul 17th 2009, 09:32

Though we disagreed when Dr.Mario Spiteri (I hope that he is the same one) on the draconic way that the Government rammed down our throats re the smoking ban of some 5 years ago,
when the good doctor was in charge of the section of the Health Dept, I fully agree with what he said about Huskies.
There seems to be a perverse logic in the allowing of certain and specific animals and reptiles to be impotered here in Malta. A logic that is equal to cruelty to animals.
I urge the same Dr. to investigate on this and it makes no sense to import animals and reptiles that cannot withstand and live in out hot climate.
It does not make sense.
I cannot understand it.
I am in the firm belief that if this is allowed to happen this is equal to being cruel to the same animals and reptiles imported here.
Therefore what shall the Government or rather the Minister responsible has to say and ACT towards this?
Carry on with the good work Dr.Spiteri, but I do not agree with the money and facilities phrase as an animal is not a toy/exhibit!!!!

R. Azzopardi

Jul 17th 2009, 09:21

Well done to all concerned! Hope this beautiful creature finds the loving home he deserves.

Lorraine Vella

Jul 17th 2009, 08:57

Well done again Fabio. Your line of thought shows the real gentleman you are. It is better to send such dogs away to a climate more suitable than here! In my street, there is such a dog who is kept all day in the 'shaded' balcony... poor thing. She is only used to make pups. You never see anyone near herr, save for when her area is cleaned!