Siberian Husky Adoption Questions

[Dave_B]

I'm considering adopting a husky and have talked to many foster people and have gotten many different responses. I'm looking for opinions from people who have actually owned this breed and their opinions. I have two kids 6 and 8 and a yard that is not fenced. I intend to use a leash and a dog pen for outdoors and crate for indoors when nobody is home. Probably 2-4 hours per day.

I want this breed as they are considered very smart and trainable. They seem to also be good companions for kids and adults. Walks, jogs, bike rides, etc.

Any and all opinions will be greatly appreciated unless Wayne brings up Amsoil into it somehow!

Dave

 

[indy_500]

Although my opinion doesn't matter anymore these days, I think siberian huskys are one of the most beautiful looking dogs there are.

 

[srt20]

Huskies are cool dogs, but they are not really a good breed for a first time dog owner, IMO. They are VERY smart dogs, but I wouldnt say they are easily trainable, at least for someone that is not a dog trainer. If the husky you are looking at is halfway smart, it will get off the tie out, and through your fence, and off hunting or doing whatever it wants in no time flat if it isnt trained well. Seriously, they are escape artists. And they are very independant.

Im not trying to bash the breed, and Im not trying to change your mind. I just want you to be SURE you can handle it. Nothing ticks me off more the someone getting a pet, and then having to abandon it because the OWNER wasnt ready. Remember, huskies shed ALOT.

Good Luck!

P.S. the best advice I ever got; A good dog is a tired dog. I run mine hard everyday.

 

[polarisrider1]

????

 

[Cat600]

I use to have a husky-collie mix, he lived for 15 years, a lot longer than expected. And eventually age got to him.

Being with kids will help, they are VERY active dogs. as srt20 said, make sure you have a good fence or whatnot, they are smart dogs and will get away when you think they won't.

Also, they shed like no other. Especially after winter, vacuuming once a day won't even help. It's non stop.

Plus they love the outside. Royally like it. There were sometimes my dog would only come in for food and water, then back out he went.

Very friendly, never barked. Did howl though when he had to go out for the restroom.


Even with all that, I still tremendously miss my dog. He was a great part of the family.

 

[Skidooski]

Huskies are cool dogs, but they are not really a good breed for a first time dog owner, IMO. They are VERY smart dogs, but I wouldnt say they are easily trainable, at least for someone that is not a dog trainer. If the husky you are looking at is halfway smart, it will get off the tie out, and through your fence, and off hunting or doing whatever it wants in no time flat if it isnt trained well. Seriously, they are escape artists. And they are very independant.

Im not trying to bash the breed, and Im not trying to change your mind. I just want you to be SURE you can handle it. Nothing ticks me off more the someone getting a pet, and then having to abandon it because the OWNER wasnt ready. Remember, huskies shed ALOT.

Good Luck!

P.S. the best advice I ever got; A good dog is a tired dog. I run mine hard everyday.

Absolutely, good dog is a tired dog. Have a one year old lab, I work him hard every day too. He is already swimming and that started as soon as the ice on the lake was back 15ft from shore. I have to admit Indy has a good point, they are beautiful dogs.

 

[anonomoose]

My neighbor had one, and this one barked a lot. Any time he was unhappy, he barked. It didnt last long though....he learned to climb the fence and got out...and a car got him. I think he was a bit over 2 when that happened.

I also have a very close friend that bought one when his kids were smaller, and he ended up giving it away. It was an expensive dog, but it didnt fit well in a subdivision with kids walking by and fenced in a smaller yard. He needed (as I believe all big dogs need) a huge yard where he could burn off steam.

I dont think they make good indoor dogs either. Very rambunctious, and yes they shed big time.

I think if your reasons are what you stated and perhaps there is more than what you said you wanted a dog for, there are better breeds to pick from and which will make a more reliable companion for the kids. Independent dogs tend to do what they want to do rather than what YOU want them to, and with kids that can get pulled around by a big doggy....that is not a good thing. Sort of give an inch take a mile process. While I am sure you can train any dog if you work hard enough on it, my thinking is to get a dog that requires less of it unless you just like doing the training. Some breeds just train easier.

I do agree that they are pretty though, and aside from eating you out of house and home, if you have always wanted one.....maybe it is now or never.

 

[Dave_B]

Thanks everyone for the input. There are two things that I'm concerned about now.

The breeders/foster parents I have talked to all indicated that shedding is only an issue twice a year. That doesn't sound like the case. I do not want a dog that sheds all the time. My cat I think shed twenty pounds of fur per day and it drove us nuts.

The second is my yard. The running subject came up but only one of the foster parents seemed to think that it was a big concern. I do not have a fence but live in a nice residential area. Alot of my neighbors do have fences which would limit the ability to just head for hills but he could still be out of sight rather quickly. The rest seemed to OK with proper training and just a leash and pen. My plan was either an electric underground fence or one of those radius/collar zappers which is supposed to keep them within a certain area or they get the zap. Not sure how effective that would be on a Husky.

Tough choice. Please keep the thoughts coming.

Dave

 

[saber]

Had 2 of them growing up. The like to run, shed a lot and LOVE to dig.

Ya need a fenced in yard and a ability to give up any desire of having a nice yard.

 

[mojo]

we had a husky great with children.very smart dog.best money ever spent was invisable fence never had a problem.before that the dog run away for about 3 hour ,he thinks we were playing a game.ha ha we were not. so invisable fence wa worth it's money never had a problem since.but they are great dogs and it shed every mounth.good luck

 

[mxz500rider]

Can't go wrong with a lab either.

 

[LoveMyDobe]

Be ready, willing and able

First of all, make sure everyone in your house is ready and commited to dog ownership and do they want to help in ALL depts?
Are your planning to adopt from rescue? Great job if you are! I am dogsitting a friends rescue Doberman this week(I found this dog for her), she is 6yrs old and a real gem. Do not buy from puppy mills, pet stores or backyard breeders.
I don't know much about Huskies, but do your research on the breed. I have heard from people first hand that the foster parents aren't always the best foster parents to get info from. They mean well, but some rescues will let anyone foster a dog.
I would never put any dog tied on a leash or use a training(shock) collar. Fenced in yards are worth it, but you could get a dog that is an "escape artist" Don't give them a reason to leave home. Keep them exercised and their minds busy. A tired dog is a good dog.
That being said, good luck in your search.
Just to add my opinion, as you can tell by my screen name,
DOBERMANS are no 1 in my book. If anyone needs info on this breed, talk to me. I have had them 25years til last month when my red Reba girl past.

 

[Dave_B]

Thanks for the extra posts.

More good info.

Shedding concerns me. Training, playing walking jogging, etc doesn't. I have a school basically across the street from me that will be his fenced in running grounds.

I really don't want to fence the yard. Will do whatever required for electronic fencing. Is it really effective for this breed?

BTW - The two I'm looking at are not 100% pure, but look like it. Max weight, according to the fosters, would be 30-40lbs.

As far as Labs go, had them. Don't want another. No offense just had enough of it eating everything in site (that wasn't food).

Dave

 

[srt20]

Siberians are can be very headstrong. If it is, a invisible fence will not stop it from chasing a squirrel. Imo invisible fences are great if you train them while a puppy or if the dog is a submissive dog , which siberians usually arent. Just my opinion.

 

[polarisrider1]

Dave, if you feel you need a dog get one that does not shed or very little. Our King Charles sheds big time. Our Boston terrier does not shed much. I know you, you will need 2 dogs to entertain each other. Fence the yard. I think the invisafence is cruel. Remember dogs will alter your ability to travel in most case. A cat works better for most busy people. Will your wife take care of the dog when we go snowmobiling?

 

[farmermark]

I've had 2 Samoyeds, which are similiar to Huskies. Had the underground fence too. Don't do it! They will run right through it if they are chasing something. When mine shed it looked like it snowed! Not an inside dog either, just too warm. I had to shave mine in summer and in winter they laid in the snow all the time. Great with kids, they could ride'em like a horse, wrestle rough and remember these are sleds dogs, so they PULL when on a leash. Barked alot and always chasing cats, squirrels, woodchucks, rabbits, heck anything that moved. As much as I loved them, I now have a retriever and am very happy with him.

 

[LoveMyDobe]

Just wondering

What made you chose this breed? As a fellow snow machine rider, maybe you can get your dog to pull your sled!! (speaking only because of gas prices)!

 

[LoveMyDobe]

Although my opinion doesn't matter anymore these days, I think siberian huskys are one of the most beautiful looking dogs there are.

Looks aren't everything I'm sure you know!

 

[skiroule]

Remember dogs will alter your ability to travel in most case. A cat works better for most busy people. Will your wife take care of the dog when we go snowmobiling?

This is one of the best observations in this thread. I know for a fact that we would probably travel more if it weren't for our dogs (not all trips are dog-friendly). For us, it's well worth the trade-off (although there are limits to my patience).

 

[LoveMyDobe]

My neighbor had one, and this one barked a lot. Any time he was unhappy, he barked. It didnt last long though....he learned to climb the fence and got out...and a car got him. I think he was a bit over 2 when that happened.

I also have a very close friend that bought one when his kids were smaller, and he ended up giving it away. It was an expensive dog, but it didnt fit well in a subdivision with kids walking by and fenced in a smaller yard. He needed (as I believe all big dogs need) a huge yard where he could burn off steam.

I dont think they make good indoor dogs either. Very rambunctious, and yes they shed big time.

I think if your reasons are what you stated and perhaps there is more than what you said you wanted a dog for, there are better breeds to pick from and which will make a more reliable companion for the kids. Independent dogs tend to do what they want to do rather than what YOU want them to, and with kids that can get pulled around by a big doggy....that is not a good thing. Sort of give an inch take a mile process. While I am sure you can train any dog if you work hard enough on it, my thinking is to get a dog that requires less of it unless you just like doing the training. Some breeds just train easier.

I do agree that they are pretty though, and aside from eating you out of house and home, if you have always wanted one.....maybe it is now or never.

I agree with everything you are saying,some what, But the "now or never", think deeply before adopting. Don't go on "looks", How many pretty girls have you takin home that didn't pan out? OPPP Now i started something. Sorry Guys, didn't mean sh$#T,