THE DOG BREED AND ANIMAL SPECIES OF THE WEEK

I have decided that since I have an interest in dogs and other animals, I will have a weekly animal species and dog breed and put up pictures and information/facts about them.

DOG BREED OF THE WEEK: Alaskan Husky

Alaskan Huskies are somewhat larger than Siberian Huskies, are leaner in built, and have greater endurance than their close relative. They are primarily bred as working dogs, and are excellent at sled racing. Since they are bred for endurance and speed, these dogs make wonderful jogging companions, and are not suitable for a small apartment. A puppy at heart, clever, sociable, loving, easy-going and docile, Alaskan Huskies are very intelligent and trainable, but they have a mind of their own and will only obey a command if they see a point. Alaskan Huiskies are not watchdogs for they bark little and love everyone. They are gentle with small children and are friendly even to strangers. These 40-60 lbs. dogs can be almost any color or pattern and can live up to 12-15 years.

ANIMAL SPECIES OF THE WEEK: Pourcipine

These heavyset animals weigh about 15 lbs, the size of a very large house cat. Some males have been known to get as heavy as 30 lbs. Their common name is from the French words porc espin meaning thorny hog, which refers to the animals famous quills. The average porcupine has about 30,000 quills, which it uses as a defensive weapon. The quills are comparable in flexibility and hardness to silvers or celluloid(a type of plastic, often used to make movie film)and so sharply pointed that they can penetrate any animals skin. In addition, the quill tips consist of tiny barbs, which make the quills very hard to remove. One false belief that has arisen about the porcupine, is there supposed ability to 'throw' their quills. The only way for someone or something to get impaled by the quills, would be to have physical contact with the porcupine. At birth, baby porcupines have soft quills which harden quickley when exposed to air. These small, quilled animals can live up to 10 years.