Hi! Husky help, please!

[laurajohnston]

I really want a husky and I have found a breeder or two around my area... I've read that they are resistant to training and that they dig no matter where they are... (EVEN INSIDE??). What is your experience with these dogs? And about the climate.. what is too hot a temperature for them to be in???

[oc_spirit]

Hello there! I own two Siberian Huskies and race with roughly 20 others. Before jumping in with two feet and going ahead in getting a puppy I suggest you keep researching a little more to make sure they really are the breed for you ;) Their great looks is often what draws people to them but there is a lot that goes on between those fuzzy ears!

Siberian Huskies are too smart to want to be trained LOL Where the typical Border Collie or Golden Retriever will happily learn and perform commands for no other reason than you asked them to, the Siberian Husky always asks ""Why?"" Why should they perform that trick? Why does it benefit me (the dog) to perform your command? Why should I? You get the picture. You gotta stay one step ahead of these guys all the time. It is also important that if you give a command and they dont do it, you do not let them get away with not listening to you!

Siberian Huskies are a very dominant breed and tricksy to boot. You give them an inch and they will take a mile. If they dont feel you should be ""Alpha"" they will step up to the plate themselves! Deffinately not a breed for the first time owner IMO.

Along with digging, Sibes will engage in destructive behaviours when they do not get enough excercise (and for these guys excercise means roughly 1hr walk every day, rain or shine). They have a lot of energy and if it isnt expelled with mental and physical excercise, they will release that pent up energy with digging, chewing, racing around the house, destroying anything in their path, basically mimicing a giant tornado.

They will also dig to get at the cooler earth underneath the surface when they get too hot. If you live in a warmer climate it is important to provide lots of shade and fresh water for your Sibe. You''re better off to allow your Sibe to have a small shady spot where he is allowed to dog than to try to discourage digging all together.

[tempura tantrum]

Hi there. I don't own Sibes myself, but I do have a fair deal of experience with Nordic breeds in general, so I'll offer you what knowledge I have, and leave the rest to the people who actually own Sibes on this forum.

First off- Nordic breeds in general, are considered "more difficult to train," than the average dog. They are more independent. They're not going to be the dog that is glued to your side, waiting for your every command, happy to repeat the exercise "sit" for eighteenth time in a row. With Nordic breeds you've got to make training sessions fun and short. They will NOT be as easy to train as more family oriented dogs like labs and goldens. They are generally poor choices for first time dog owners, who aren't expecting a dog to challenge them. Firm, fair, consistent, handling is key.

I always reccommend that anyone with a Nordic breed get involved in some kind of a puppy kindergarten class, and go on to basic obedience, and even do "refresher courses" throughout the dog's life. You'll want to make sure any obedience classes you take are taught by someone familiar with Nordic breeds.

The digging thing is straight up, a manner of training. All dog breeds end up having a host of habits inherent to them, that humans don't necessarily enjoy. You either find appropriate outlets for them, or deal with the consequences. OR, you decide that it's not worth the risk (or effort), and pick another breed. Shelties are very bark-prone dogs, but that being said I *DO* know people that own them successfully in apartments, and the dogs are relatively quiet. Conversely, I know people that own Shelties that just don't shut up. You just need to make expectations clear.

As far as climate goes- as a general rule, it shouldn't be that big of deal...as long as your dog is going to be an indoor dog. If your dog is living with you inside the house (as most family pets should), then you can get away with owning them in Western Australia during the wet season. If however, you plan on having a dog that lives purely outdoors, and you live in the Sahara (a tongue-in-cheek example ;) ), I would steer clear of Sibes. *Most* good breeders will prefer a home in which the dog lives inside, as a member of the family. I personally wouldn't sell a dog to anyone who planned for it to live life exclusively (or primarily) outdoors.

Understandably in the case of some racing dogs, they DO live outdoors (and really enjoy/prefer it), but I'm guessing this wouldn't apply to you, as you're asking about heat. :)

If you're talking to good breeders they should be giving you all of this information as well. They should be VERY up front with whether or not one of their dogs would work in your particular situation. If they haven't asked you any questions, and are willing to ship you a puppy without knowing your situation (or realizing that you don't know a lot of the breed's primary characterstics), then YOU DO NOT WANT A DOG FROM THEM. You are ASKING for all sorts of behavioral and medical problems by purchasing a dog from people who DON'T CARE where those puppies are going to.

If these breeders have NO IDEA (or don't seem to care), that you don't really know much about this breed, and yet they are STILL willing to sell you a dog, that spells TROUBLE. If you are simply in the VERY beginning stages of research, this is understandable- but trust me- you DON'T want to get over your head with this breed, and then add even MORE problems by buying one from a breeder that doesn't health test.

Please don't look at my post as being accusatory at all- I'm just trying to help as best I can. :)

Good luck!

EDIT- posted @ the same time OC- (I agree w/the advice to provide an outlet for digging. I know people that made sandboxes for their dogs, for just that purpose, and it worked a treat) :D

[Rosefern]

I work in rescue, and I have seen way too many Siberian Huskies/Alaskan Malamutes that are surrenders or strays. The excuses their owners give are:
"He won't stay in the yard. He wanders off."
"She chases my cats."
"He's too hyper."
"She won't listen to me."

Now, before I begin my lecture (LOL), I must say that I am a fan of the Siberian Husky breed. I love them. However, I did my research, and alot of it. And I don't have one. And unless my life and personality drastically changes, I probably never will. Here's why:

1. Siberians are escape artists.
They will go under, over, or through the most secure fence. They don't like to be confined. Now, this is something I can deal with. I'm willing to spend vast amounts of money on my dogs to keep them happy, healthy, and safe.

2. Siberians are shedders.
They shed year round, and they will "blow coat" twice a year. This means: dog hair everywhere. In your food, on your clothes, on your furniture. Something else I could deal with, after all, I've had goldens all my life.

3. Siberians are natural hunters.
Typically called "high prey drive", they will go after anything that moves: rodents, birds, cats, even small dogs. This is something I can't deal with. I am a cat-lover, and can't imagine not sharing my home with at least one.

4. Siberians are not trustworthy off leash.
They are not labs. They will only come when you call if they see a point (more about that later). Now, I'm a person who likes to do things with my dogs (agility, camping, hiking, etc.). Some things are better done off leash.

5. Siberians are diggers.
Sort of goes back to the escape artists. Some dig to get out, some dig because they're bored. All things that can be controlled. But others dig because they like it. This can't be controlled. Now, I have no desire to have my property "landscaped" by a husky.

6. Siberians are dominant.
Again, they aren't labs. They won't obey a command just because. There's an old saying that goes: "You tell a golden to sit. He does so, and says "Anything else." You tell a husky to sit. She doesn't, and says "Why should I?" They require constant training and attention, and reminders that they aren't the boss.

7. They are prone to health problems.
But isn't every breed? Name me a breed that is free of any and all health problems. There isn't one.

So, if you can deal with all of that, go ahead! Call rescue. Call a breeder. However, if you can't deal with two or more of those traits, a husky isn't the dog for you. If there is only one of those things that you have a problem with, call rescue. Look for an adult dog who doesn't exhibit that trait. For example, I've met huskies who have never dug a hole. I've met huskies that don't chase cats. They do exist.

Good luck!

Cheers,

Rosefern

[SharkyX]

Another thing to add onto Roseferns post.

Siberians require alot of excersize. They are a very high energy dog and will require excersize in spades. So unless you like to walk, roller blade, bike, x-c ski or something all year long they probably won't be the right choice as they will tear things apart when you aren't looking to get the pent up energy out that they aren't releasing by getting excersize.
Which leads me to another point... they will do things when you're not looking because they know if they rip that sock apart while you're watching, they will get into trouble.
One of my moms friends worked in an animal hospital for years and described the Husky like such "They are the cutest most devious dog breed I've ever dealt with." They have an expression that says love me, meanwhile suddenly half a pizza has gone missing which they hid behind a chair to eat (SummerRiot will attest to the fact that I was NOT happy when that happened).

Finally if you husky gets out, they are likely to pick a direction and just run. Not because they don't like you, simply because they just LOVE to run. If you give chase they will see it as a game, and as was already pointed out, they will not come back when you call... more then likely tease you by waiting (I've played this game... not fun) until you get close and take off another quarter mile down the road!

All that being said... I'll never own another breed.

And as far as the dominance thing goes... I have alot of fun with that reminding them now and again which one of us is the top dog around here :)

[dogstarsleddogs]

Well, I think everyone pretty much got Sibes covered! LOL
One thing also I'd like to add to Rosefern's post.
Huskies can be fine around cats if they have been around them since puppyhood. Infact, Gremlin is scared of cats. Never thought I'd have to save a husky from a cat!! (Booger backed him in a corner, and was hissing and hitting) Funny to watch, but poor Gremlin, he was so scared!

[Rosefern]

Thanks Sharky, for saying that! When I created my post, I knew I was leaving something out! LOL. Probably the most obvious one.

-Rosefern

[Spirit2010]

Siberians are very entergetic! Consider a rescue, before a puppy, an already trained Husky would be the best choice, if you are a first time owner of this breed, They are stubborn, and only listen to what they think they want to listen to, which is very stubborn. The info you have gotten is very good. :)