Husky News

Huskies are more than just pets for one Grantham man, who races them every year at a big meet in Scotland.

Phil Wardell, 56, is a member of the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain, and will join around 300 teams at the Arden Grange Aviemore Sled Dog Rally this weekend with three of his five huskies.

Taybah, Doe and Mishka are trained to pull sleds and three-wheel trikes, but Shai and Kie are not yet fully trained.

Phil said: “We started off with one and thought he was getting a bit lonely, so we bought another dog.

“We liked the look of them but we soon realised that they need a lot of exercise and you can’t let them off the lead to run about because they will wander off.

“So we started training around Grantham canal.”

Phil has been a club member for seven years, and this year’s 25th anniversary race will be his third.

Wife Stella, 55, is an important part of the team, supporting Phil and helping to keep the dogs in check.

She said: “My role in the racing is back-up for Phil and helping him with the dogs.

“Keeping the dogs healthy and happy, that’s my main objective.”

A few fascinating facts about Siberian Huskies:

# They are very independent, intelligent, full of energy and cheerful. They love to wander and are very fond of their handler and family.

# Huskies should not be left alone, as they are sociable animals. It is advisable to have more than one husky, as one alone can become lonely.

# Huskies need plenty of exercise – at least 30 to 60 minutes
every day. If they are confined and cannot expel their energy, they may become destructive.

# Although the Siberian Husky is a fairly healthy breed, it is not uncommon to see canine hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and eye problems, including progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and corneal dystrophy, in the breed.

# Huskies are good travellers – new sights and sounds don’t
upset them.

# Huskies usually howl rather than bark.

# With no guarding instinct, they are friendly dogs and will greet an intruder the same as any other visitor.

# They reach around 14 years of age, sometimes 16 or more.

# Huskies moult heavily twice a year.

Source: Grantham Journal