BlackCob or any husky/mal people...

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Onyxia

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Have been offered a cross of the above, 14 month old entire dog so would assume it's not found the loo and is chewing everything :rolleyes:

Now I would rather enjoy a running partner but husky and mals would not be my first choice as I have very minimal experiance of them.
I think this is one to stay well away from,but it is tempting....
 
Step away from the huskamute! :eek:

Same old bloody story, they are always given up between 6 and 18 months of age when they stop being kyoot fluffy snow dogs and become horrible teenage ASBO wolves. :mad:

Is it the only dog in the household? I'm going to take a stab at separation anxiety being the main reason it's being given up, something which will take months and months of painstaking work to fix as they tend to have it severely and destructively. This is not a dog that will cope being left for any length of time, certainly not a working day.

The other issue with them is that you cannot let them off the lead which is a great big ballache, 2-3 hours of exercise per day entirely on lead is a big commitment and can necessitate a lot of expensive gear to be able to manage it. I'm also going to guess at an entire teenage male having socialisation issues and being a nightmare to walk in public.

I love my dogs to pieces but I wouldn't recommend them to anybody. :o
 
blackcob said:
Step away from the huskamute! :eek:
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Stepping away :p
Am looking into a standard schnauzer at some point (which is a dog I have always wanted :o ) and would seem a much better fit for me and mine, but it's bloody tempting when something is all but thrown at you-even when it IS the opposite of what you were looking for !

blackcob said:
Same old bloody story, they are always given up between 6 and 18 months of age when they stop being kyoot fluffy snow dogs and become horrible teenage ASBO wolves. :mad:
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Sadly tis the same for everything :( This is dog number 3 or 4 given away when the toddler phase started from this "lady" :( so I would assume any teen entire issue that could crop up has cropped up :o
 
Also the hair. Oh my god, the hair. Everything I touch, eat and wear is coated in a fine layer of white hair. The floor stays clean for about five minutes after hoovering (daily, and again if company is coming) and the Dyson has to be emptied every time.

Obedience does not come naturally to them, they are not inclined to do things merely to please a human and generally speaking aren't interested in working for toys or food either. A young male will take this to extremes and be challenging, maybe with a tendency to guard food, cruise work surfaces for human food, climb on forbidden furniture, jump up and claw/mouth you, howl at you, basically be a huge pain in the arse. Dax used to rag on my arm for fun. :rolleyes:

They will kill cats, rabbits, all small furries without question.

Like I say mine get about 3 hours a day of walking, they are lucky that I have access to a spare horse paddock that's well fenced enough for them to have a run off the lead occasionally but even then I'm on high alert at all times for them jumping/digging/just plain bolting through the fence (those who came to the meet will attest to how quickly and silently the buggers can disappear to go hunting :o) and so they are attached to me most of the time.

You can do lots of fun things with them, Canix/bikejor/mushing etc. but all of these things require a lot of sacrifice in terms of time and money, the kit is expensive, the training involves getting up at arse o' clock every day and modding your car to take dog/rig/tent/bed is also expensive.

They are very pretty and I've never been so slim in all my life but they are a huge pain in the arse. And I love them anyway. :D
 
I know someone that has one of these and I don't know how she copes, I don't think they are experienced dog people and when I was told what it was I think my first question was 'WHY', we walk with a pack of dogs and she does let it off leash when we are in the woods.

BlackCob can I ask are yours obsessed with water?
The Huskamute that I know has an obsession with muddy puddles (and there are lots of them in the woods at the moment), it lies down in the deep muddy puddles (made by tractor tires), the get straight in the pond, the ridgies love this because they then run round the edge of the pond and won't let her out!!!! So you think good she's at least clean, then lies down in the next available manky puddle, personally I've never seen anything like what this dog does, her car stinks of wet dog all the time, I've renamed it a designer breed off Hippomute as I'm sure there is Hippo in there somewhere.

Will breed more and sell for £1500, anyone want a Hippomute?
 
To be fair though- everyone has to have their first Husky type dog, like the folk on here did. If you reckon you have the time then go for it.
 
Naryafluffy - these dogs aren't 'meant' to like water; reason being that in their original environment eg Alaska, Siberia etc if they fell in any water they would be in big trouble, and posably even die.
But so saying, a lot of them love splashing around whenever they can :D
 
This has been an interesting thread to read, because this breed seem to be the "IN" dog at the moment and I have often wondered why - sure they are cute puppies, but then most puppies are cute.

I guess the rescue homes will soon be full of them, along with the bull crosses.
 
misterjay said:
Naryafluffy - these dogs aren't 'meant' to like water; reason being that in their original environment eg Alaska, Siberia etc if they fell in any water they would be in big trouble, and posably even die.
But so saying, a lot of them love splashing around whenever they can :D
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It's coming to the beach with us on Sunday when we meet and take about 15 dogs on a pack walk, got a feeling it may be in the water and heading either for Belgium or Sweden!!!!

I've never seen any dog doing anything like this one with water, even the labs that are straight in the pond or occassionally the ditches that are filled with water don't lie down in puddles, dread to think what her car will be like in winter with all the damp in it.
 
None of mine are particularly fond of water. I have one who will go in for a very short swim then he's had enough. They will all however run happily through puddles etc when in harness (apart from two who simply leap over).
Lots been said already so all I'll add is that these types of dogs are generally a lifestyle choice rather than a pet. They don't do well as sole animals, much prefering living as a pack. I agree that they do seem to be getting very 'fashionable' which is a real shame. What we seem to be seeing more and more of is people getting into running dogs, becomming 'instant experts' on forums etc, getting all the gear then a couple of years later vanishing. We never see them out training anymore etc. As always it's the dogs that suffer.
 
I agree, ss, people seem to thimk they are instant experts by reading a book. We are very new to the mushing scene, and have the benefit of some extremely experienced friends who are happy to have their brains picked to shreds by our constant questions.

I so hope these dogs will fall off the radar of popular breeds - they are not easy dogs to live with.
 
ditto all of the above & more.
mine (a sibe) had a tendancy to Sod off up the road to a neighbours big entire GS dog for a bit of extra currricular (god job she's been spayed!) ignoring the solid 6ft fence with a foot of trellising angled inwards to stop her, she simply used the bathroom window ledge as a foothold up onto the bathroom roof (single story) & over she went!

we gave up in the end & now have a 4ft fence all around & she isnt out in the garden alone off her chain, but i love her too bits & the old addage of once youve have a Sibe/Mal everything else is just a dog does seem to be correct....... if you get the bug your buggered! RUN NOW! :)
 
I have two mals and have found both of them easy.... but I got the older one when she was 6 and the pup is only 9 months old........ so no idea how horrendous the 14month old could be! ;)

The hair however is an immense load of work. Do you like hoovering?

They can be stubborn but both of mine are so food orientated they would rather do what they have been told! They are great around my horses and so far (touch wood) have never run off when off lead.

They love water/the beach- it sends them loopy even the 9 year old!
 
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I think it's the extra cute factor as puppies that get some people, whilst I think they are lovely dogs (both as puppies and adult dogs) I know in myself that i couldn't give a dog of that type what they need.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that all dogs regardless of breed share about 5 or 6 of the 15 traits with the wolf except the Husky which shares 14!!!!
Think the girl that has one at our obedience class has been told they fair better when there is more than 1 of them, but think she can barely cope with the one never mind 2.
(I'll stick with walking everyone elses dogs, then I don't have to worry!!)
 
I have been told that Huskies are much 'worse' - and from what I have seen of Mals and Huskies- Huskies have a more frantic edge that I haven't come accross in a Pedigree Mally.
 
misterjay said:
I agree, ss, people seem to thimk they are instant experts by reading a book. We are very new to the mushing scene, and have the benefit of some extremely experienced friends who are happy to have their brains picked to shreds by our constant questions.

I so hope these dogs will fall off the radar of popular breeds - they are not easy dogs to live with.
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Hmmm, half of them haven't even gone so far as to read a book. Even in the last 2 or 3 years it's gotten worse. A look on many of the forums and facebook pages quickly confirms that. We plan to move abroad in a few years somewhere with good snow all winter. The fact is that in the UK it's just not ideal, running on muddy trails and the constant hassle of access issues / trail conditions. When you see it overseas you quickly see just how much better it can be. We take it very seriously and it pretty much dominates our lives, has done for quite a long time :-)

Glad you have some people to help you out. Everyone needs to start somewhere and no matter how experienced you get you never stop learning (same as riding I guess).
 
BigRed said:
This has been an interesting thread to read, because this breed seem to be the "IN" dog at the moment and I have often wondered why - sure they are cute puppies, but then most puppies are cute.

I guess the rescue homes will soon be full of them, along with the bull crosses.
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The breed rescues are already terming the current situation a 'crisis', they have huge waiting lists of dogs to come in, SHCGB welfare recently stated that they've only got about two month's running costs left in the kitty and they are full to bursting. I fear they are going to be the next SBT. :(

BlackCob can I ask are yours obsessed with water?
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Mine are both quite fond of water but not to the point of obsession, they like to have a paddle in streams in the summer and like to stare at/bite at waterfalls, they have a paddling pool at the MIL's and spend their afternoons digging in it. Haven't yet taken them to a beach, I'd love to see if they'd swim properly. :) Neither will lie down in a puddle.

I have been told that Huskies are much 'worse' - and from what I have seen of Mals and Huskies- Huskies have a more frantic edge that I haven't come accross in a Pedigree Mally.
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This is my experience as well, I know a good number of mals who can be trusted off the lead in some circumstances but not a single husky (those that think otherwise tend to get a nasty shock a few years down the line when the dog bolts and ends up squashed on a road ten miles away).

They really do better in a 'pack', the best thing I ever did was to get a second one. As Suzy says they really are a lifestyle choice more than a pet, more akin to having a baby than having a dog, you're really tied in by their needs.
 
Well Salem is a Utonagan x Nothern Inuit - so basically a husky/mal/GSD/czech wolfdog mix and he's great fun.

He's loyal, friendly, has good recall and I wouldn't be without him. Yes, you can't leave him alone without giving him something to chew on (but part of his Raw diet allows that) and he does shed - but they're nothing a true dog lover can't deal with.

His exercise needs are not ridiculous, he just needs what any high energy dog would call fair. No different than a spaniel or a collie.

He carries the shopping home too:)

He loves the beach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYPQ6u2fl8E

and he has excellent recall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqkW0yEpXPI&feature=related

....but yes he CAN be naughty (I was busy rearranging the house and didn't pay him enough attention)
lol.gif

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4qjM542r_c&feature=related
 
lexiedhb said:
To be fair though- everyone has to have their first Husky type dog, like the folk on here did. If you reckon you have the time then go for it.
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I have the time for sure, but with a herding dog background don't think I have the patiance for a dog that is as opinionated as I am :D :p
At least the GSD's a working collies did what they were told without argeing the toss with you LOL!

Declined the offer today, the woman said it was cool, her neighbour wants it for the kids ( 3 and 8 year old FFS!) - poor lad.
Gave her the number of a vet nurse friend who has 3 Mals at home in case the neighbour does not work out..... and may have mentioned that VM is willing to pay at which womans eyes lit up ;)
The dog is lovely,I hope he ends up going to VN friend where he will have a decent home :(
 
Yunalesca said:
ROFLMAO @ the tantrum- but only because I don't have to live with it! :D
The howling is quite nice :o but the back chat would drive me insane :o
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To be fair though, Salem would have been dragged off by the scruff of his neck after being asked once. It's nice to have fun with them, but they have to know where the boundries are.

My hubby is dog phobic (even though he ADORES Salem) and wasn't brought up with dogs. Salem shows great respect to him - but occasionally will 'cock a deaf un'.

I have to tell hubby - "Don't ask him, TELL him." and with a simple change of inflection to the voice - he does what he's told.

He only howls when he wants something
[YOUTUBE]7YJ1BcjMoeg[/YOUTUBE]

But if you need a babysitter......
[YOUTUBE]tYAPal8o4Tc[/YOUTUBE]

Or a YouTube superstar
[YOUTUBE]2c8MMiytwNs[/YOUTUBE]
 
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