Do husky dogs (the kind that are being trained in a dog team) have to be half starved all the time?

Question

I heard from somewhere that husky dogs have to be half starved in order for them to be lean and fast. That if they became to heavy they would be unable to travel long distances in short they become lazy.

I heard from somewhere that husky dogs have to be half starved in order for them to be lean and fast. That if they became to heavy they would be unable to travel long distances in short they become lazy. I did a bit more research on husky dog's, and I discovered that these dogs do in fact have a very strict feeding diet, especially in the summer months (which is when they don't have to work so hard-with the long distance traveling). They don't get as much raw meat as they do in the winter time. I have discovered that yes in the summer time the rations that these dogs are allowed are severly cut down due the decrease in activity. I was wondering if due to the fact of being feed raw meat in the winter would cause aggressive behaviour in the summer-these dogs get used to having this raw meat in the winter, then all of a sudden there is no raw meat.

Just like to add that I do not own any type of dog at all

Answer 1

I must agree with the others who said that an improperly fed sled dog team cannot function and do its work. Physical labor of any kind requires calories!

It's estimated that every dog on an Iditarod team uses up 10,000 calories per day during the race! There would be no way a dog could properly work without those calories.

I will say that sled dogs have been developed to be very *efficient* with food -- in other words, they use every bit they're given, and a little goes a long way. I can't tell you how many of my puppy/rescue people I've had to scold for keeping their Siberian Husky too fat. These dogs thrive in 2 cups of quality food per day, maybe 3 if they're working in the winter.

Sled dogs are efficient because they have to be -- it makes no sense to load down your sled with hundreds of pounds of dog food -- the natives who developed the original breeds traveled light, and the dogs who did the best on the least food were the ones who were bred.

Another myth: EATING MEAT DOES NOT MAKE DOGS AGGRESSIVE. Dogs are carnivores, and their bodies are made to digest meat. Many people who work their dogs feed meat because the dogs digest and use it so well. If meat made sled dogs aggressive, they wouldn't be able to work in teams -- they'd be too busy fighting and maiming each other to function. I've fed raw meat to my kennel for years, and they love it, do well on it, and suffer no ill effects.

Bottom Line: Sled dogs are never starved; a starving dog can't work. And meat has no affect on a dog's temperament.

I hope this answers your questions!

Answer 2

Yep chetco has it right - there is a company or two that sell specail fomula rations for sled dogs. The anyalsis on that food is AWESOME(so's the price) - it's hard to get food that high in protein & fat. Yes they are kept lean & fit - how many 200 lb track stars do you see in the olympics? Sadly there are some people who's eyes are used to their 120 lb massively obese lab (labs should weigh about 70 lb)& think anything that isn't obese is starved half to death, and any dog that doesn't spend 24/7 laying on the sofa eating bon bons is abused. That sled team will out live their lab, probably by a lot.

Answer 3

Absolutely incorrect!!!!!!
Think about it, these dogs are bred to pull heavy loads over harsh, unforgiving terrain. Do you honestly think they could track 50 miles a day if they were half starved?
They are working dogs, and as such they are given an extremely high quality feed.
It may appear that they are slim or a bit underweight, but that is most likely solid muscle you see.
The people I personally have experience with that have these dogs (not Fluffy the pet.....but the die hard sled dogs) have more concern and pride in their dogs than most people do for their kids.

Answer 4

The truth is that most pets, not just dogs are overfed. Where do you think the phrase "fat cat" came from. Like humans some will eat properly and others will go to the extremes. Just remember that a lot of commercial pet food is the equivalent of junk food (check the analysis of the stuff) and consider what eating a lot of that sort of stuff would do to you. The show or race animal is given a closely watched diet if it is to have a chance to win just as a human athlete is.

Answer 5

No huskys are working dogs therefore need feeding the correct amount of food a day . unlike humans dogs only eat for two reasons
1) for heat
2) for energy
after all would you like to go to work on a empty belly

Answer 6

No they do not have to be and are not half starved. You have to realizes that when these dogs are in training they use an incredible number of calories and are very fit. Most people over feed their dogs and assume that an over weight dog looks better.

Answer 7

I haven't heard of that. I would never half starve any animal. Can you think straight and stay focused on anything when you are hungry? That is a just mean thing to do. Please do not half starve your dog.

Answer 8

My sister bought a retired Iditorod team. They do feed them less, but what they feed is high protein and high fat content, and no fillers or junk..
They get mostly red meat and fish..
They keep them in athlete's' condition, much as race horse are kept.

Answer 9

no, siberians don't eat much but they are not half starved! my own siberian is my service dog and comes with me everywhere. she is not lazy and can really run. malamutes are heavier then siberians and run more for stamina than siberians.

Answer 10

yeah ur right,any of dogs needs to be half starver to be in good humor and happy cos if they are always full they are losing their sense of life