Siberian Husky

[Diamend]

My husband and I are looking to get a Siberian Husky.... any thoughts, advice or knowledge in the area???

[70707Bride]

That's cool! My friend had a Husky but she died a couple years ago :(.

[WebLady]

I have no real knowledge or experience with the breed, but they are pretty dogs.

I hope you will look for a reputable breeder or rescue organization near you and not buy from a pet store/puppy mill.

Good luck :)

ETA - Here are a couple of sites I found with info on the breed ...

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/siberianhusky.htm

http://www.shca.org/

[PGDesigns]

I've worked in animal rescue for a while now, and while I adore Huskies, they certainly aren't for everyone.

They are notorious for being escape artists (climbing and digging). They are very clever, which can lead to boredom (hence the need to escape, wander, and howl). They can be very headstrong when it comes to training, and usually requires a very consistent, firm owner. They are people-oriented and do not like to be left alone. The ones I've known did much better as inside companions where they were truly a part of the family, rather than being left outside most of the time. Exercise is very important, especially in younger ones.

What age are you looking for?

Puppies tend to be MAJOR work in terms of housetraining, obedience, etc. Also, another unfortunate side to puppies is that what you see is not what you get always. A perfectly socialized puppy can still grow into an adult dog with a totally different attitude. Adults are usually past most of the bad habits and can be trained more easily than puppies in most cases.

Here's a link to Sibe rescues, where the dogs are in foster homes where personalities, temperaments, quirks, etc can be noted.
http://www.siberianrescue.com/


Hope this helps!

[Diamend]

We really want a puppy, to grow up with us and be trained as we would like. We do not want shedding or drooling. Any ideas??

[WebLady]

We really want a puppy, to grow up with us and be trained as we would like. We do not want shedding or drooling. Any ideas??
I don't know about drooling, but husky's are shed pretty heavily from what I understand. Any dog with that much hari/fur is gonna shed quite a bit.

[Diamend]

Well, right now we are looking at a lab mix and a siberian husky/austrailan shephard mix

[WebLady]

Well, right now we are looking at a lab mix and a siberian husky/austrailan shephard mixWell, I am pretty sure these will shed; though I am not sure about the drooling thing.

... We do not want shedding or drooling. Any ideas??
If you are looking for a dog that will not shed much and not drool alot, here is a link to list of breeds you may want to consider ... http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/lightshedders.htm

Good luck in whatever you decide :)

[soontobemrs]

I had a siberian husky - she was the most wonderful dog. She was so calm and loved kids. She was black with a white undercoat and had crystal blue eyes. She was the type of dog that would lay there while you dressed her up in sunglasses and stuff and not move an inch. She passed away after giving birth to 6 pups (only 2 survived) at the age of 11.

[exoduslaughin]

I have met a few wonderful huskeys. The only negative that I know is that they have a tendency to escape and run away. They don't drool alot, but they do shed.

[miranda]

I actually have a husky/aussie mix, and trust me, he sheds a LOT. We have fur tumbleweeds in our house.

He's very headstrong when it comes to training, and he's...how can I say this?...subtly dominant. Huskies are pretty dominant dogs. He's not a mean dominant, but still, he's dominant, which makes it hard to train. He's also really really smart, so any tricks or training we do, he figures out ways to get around them. Like lay down? He slides down far enough so that his fur is skimming the floor, but he's not actually laying down. Then as soon as he gets the treat, he's up in a flash.

Honestly, if you don't want shedding, don't look at anything with husky even in its heritage. It doesn't matter how much grooming you do, you're still going to find hair in places you don't expect.

Also, if you're a first-time dog owner, I wouldn't go for a husky. They're just too headstrong. If you do want to get a husky, research research research.

I'd go to your local dog park before you pick a dog. Talk to the owners. Trust me, they love to brag about their pooches! They'll be brutally honest about the breeds. If you don't have a dog park around, call around to trainers and see if you can attend some of their classes sans dog. This way you see the dogs as they really are, not just how they're described in an article. Breed descriptions can vary greatly based on who's talking about them.

Good luck, and let me know if you'd like any help! I'm a dog maniac :)

[BrideInCuffs21]

Diamend... as with Huskies I do not own one. But I do own a purebreed Alaskan Malamute. If you want any advice please visit the website... www.wildpaw.com (http://www.wildpaw.com) there is a plethera of information. If you get into the chat forum many experienced owners, breeders and whatever you are looking for on Huskies and Mals.... I haven't on there in a while but I have had a few issues that I have went to these people for advice and have been very helpful and there for me....

[BrideInCuffs21]

Oh and Diamend I see that you don't want the Huskey to shed. Well good luck at trying to find one that doesn't. I cannot describe how much hair my mal sheds a day!!! I have to vaccum daily and still can't keep up with the hedding hair. You would think that I owned five dogs with the amount of shedded hair from my one malamute....

[PGDesigns]

We really want a puppy, to grow up with us and be trained as we would like. We do not want shedding or drooling. Any ideas??

Most of the dogs in rescues have already received some training. Labs can be big droolers and are known to shed a lot. Also, breeds with undercoats, such as Aussies and Huskies, tend to shed more and will blow their coats twice a year in addition to daily shedding. When those undercoats are blown, you'll get enough hair to cover a houseful of dogs.

Also, Aussies are similar to Huskies in that they are very headstrong and smart. They are constantly looking for ways to outsmart you, so you have to be on your toes all the time. They are great dogs, but are not often recommended for first time owners or for owners who will not follow a strict training regimen.

Try www.petfinder.com to see what kind of dogs are available in your area. As I said, dogs in rescue (who are usually there because of something their owners did or did not do rather than the dog's fault) have been in foster homes where they have been fully vetted and received training in addition to you knowing what their personality is like. A good rescue will be willing to match you to a dog that fits your household.

Good luck!

[Diamend]

Well, we have decided on one!!! She is a lab mix... and I know she will shed, but I fell in love with her, and she is worth vaccuming the furniture everyday!! :) We are going to name her Zoe. And we will officially get her Sept. 15.. she is 8 weeks! Here is a pic from her seller, and I will get live pics of her as soon as I get her!!

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/diamend7/Buttercup.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/diamend7/ZOE.jpg

[Nik54545]

OMG! She's adorable!!! I want/miss puppy breath! Get lots of things for her to chew on and keep your shoes up! Labs are chewers!!! September 15th is going to be an awesome day!

[val24]

awww she is so cute! i want a puppy now.

Look at her eyes they are so adoreable!!!

[Krimangel]

Oh and Diamend I see that you don't want the Huskey to shed. Well good luck at trying to find one that doesn't. I cannot describe how much hair my mal sheds a day!!! I have to vaccum daily and still can't keep up with the hedding hair. You would think that I owned five dogs with the amount of shedded hair from my one malamute....

FH WANTS A MALAMUTE, THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL DOGS. THE SHEDING I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO.

YOURS IS AN INSIDE DOG? I WANT BIG INDOOR DOGS AND PEOPLE LOOK AT ME LIKE IM A NUT. I THINK IT COULD WORK.

[Krimangel]

Well, we have decided on one!!! She is a lab mix... and I know she will shed, but I fell in love with her, and she is worth vaccuming the furniture everyday!! :) We are going to name her Zoe. And we will officially get her Sept. 15.. she is 8 weeks! Here is a pic from her seller, and I will get live pics of her as soon as I get her!!

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/diamend7/Buttercup.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/diamend7/ZOE.jpg


HOW FREAKING CUTE!

[shawnsgirl]

Congrats on the fur baby!! Oh I bet Sept. 15th can't get here any sooner. My parents have our family dog Brutis that we got when I was in high school. He is a lab mix..As a puppy he chewed a lot. But, he is the best dog in the world. He so mild tempered and heck he'll jump right up on my lap and cuddle..He's just good ol pup!

[Diamend]

FH WANTS A MALAMUTE, THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL DOGS. THE SHEDING I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO.

YOURS IS AN INSIDE DOG? I WANT BIG INDOOR DOGS AND PEOPLE LOOK AT ME LIKE IM A NUT. I THINK IT COULD WORK.

Yes!! It will be an inside dog! I hate leaving them outside! But we have a big yard for her to run around and play... and (til we decide to have a kid) she even has her own room (but will be cage trained while we are at work (big cage))

[Diamend]

Congrats on the fur baby!! Oh I bet Sept. 15th can't get here any sooner. My parents have our family dog Brutis that we got when I was in high school. He is a lab mix..As a puppy he chewed a lot. But, he is the best dog in the world. He so mild tempered and heck he'll jump right up on my lap and cuddle..He's just good ol pup!

that is very encouraging to hear!! I cannot wait!! We've already went out and got her some chew toys, a bed and we a looking at some big cages.

[Nik54545]

Crate training really is the way to go. If you get a really big crate, you'll want to buy something (like a plastic laundry basket) to put in the back of it and take it out as she grows...if there is too much room in there as a puppy, she'll mess in the crate which defeats the whole purpose of crate training. Luckily i've had every shape and size dog so I have 3 or 4 different size crates and I just upgrade them as they go, haha. I'm so jealous!!!

[Diamend]

Crate training really is the way to go. If you get a really big crate, you'll want to buy something (like a plastic laundry basket) to put in the back of it and take it out as she grows...if there is too much room in there as a puppy, she'll mess in the crate which defeats the whole purpose of crate training. Luckily i've had every shape and size dog so I have 3 or 4 different size crates and I just upgrade them as they go, haha. I'm so jealous!!!

Yes, growing up we crate trained every dog we had. It is really the only way I know how to potty train dogs. Do you have suggestions on where to get crates for a bit cheeper? The stores are really expensive!

[Nik54545]

Craigslist is a great one...some thrift stores oddly enough. Ummm...since you have until the 15th you could try holding out for a sale and just scour the pet stores each week until you find something. Oh! And classifieds and garage sales, hahaha.

[PGDesigns]

I agree. Crate-training is the way to go with housetraining. Check freecycle and craigslist, as well as classifieds for used ones. I know our 40-lb girl's crate came from Walmart for $57. It's one of the wire, fold-down crates.

[WebLady]

Well congrats on the new addition coming home soon! Zoe is a cute name too :)

I agree that crate training is the way to go; both my dogs are crate trained.

All the best to you and your new baby!

[miranda]

YOURS IS AN INSIDE DOG? I WANT BIG INDOOR DOGS AND PEOPLE LOOK AT ME LIKE IM A NUT. I THINK IT COULD WORK.

We have our aussie/husky mix, Kingsley, who is 65 pounds, and Laika, our neapolitan mastiff, who is about 105, inside. Sometimes it really is like having two whole other people living with us. We wouldn't have it any other way, though. We don't really view our dogs as dogs, they're family we just get to boss around a lot :)

[NicksBride]

ohhh what a sweet little puppy! Lab mixes are the best. I have two lab mixes and they are SOOOO sweet and great dogs. Congratulations on your new furry friend. To cute!

[Nekochanpurr]

Aw!! Your puppy is SOOOOOOOOOO cute!! *^^*
I guess my input is a bit late.. But for anyone else looking for a dog.. instead of saying 'i want this breed!' just go to the humane society and see what they have.. Those babies need homes, too :)

[Bradsgirl]

Zoe is adorable!
CONGRATS on the edition!!!!!
I'm not sure I saw her breeds but we have a border collie husky mix that sheds like mad. The best thing I found that helped clear the undercoat was a rubber brush. The hair sticks right to it and it gets all the good stuff out. The wire brushes didn't work so well on her fur, so that may be something to try. They can be used whlie in the bath or not, (wet/dry) I got mine at Petsmart for $8.99 (or really close to that)
Our dog is also a chewer ans racquet balls have been a savior for us. They are easy to clean and are tough, she has yet to break one. She is about 60-65 lbs and had chewed phones, remotes, "medium toughness" toys ect...Toys made from tires work well for us too.
Anyway I hope some of that helps and congrats again, I bet you can't wait to have her at home!!!!:D:D:D

[miranda]

Zoe is adorable!
Toys made from tires work well for us too.


Hahaha...our old doggy daycare owner recommended those to us....Laika ate one in about an hour :)

[Bradsgirl]

Bucca can chew through some of them but we have 2 that have held up. I think it's because they are solid, some of the others were like 1 layer if that makes sense.

You have a strong set of jaws on your hands it sounds like :)

[miranda]

You have a strong set of jaws on your hands it sounds like :)

Yeah, but luckily she's learned what she can and can't chew, for the most part. She still has accidents sometimes, though. Unfortunately, some of FH's proudest moments are when we come home and find that she's chewed through another beer can :P