Husky puppy

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FinkleyAlex

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Dad and I have been looking for a dog for ages, and we have both always loved huskies as a few of our friends have some and they seem genuinely lovely dogs. However I'm having second thoughts as to whether this is the right dog for us. We are looking at a 4 month old puppy tomorrow, he is for sale as his owners have gone broke and need to move into a rented flat and so can't take him. I'm very aware that they need lots of exercise but dad and I walk for miles (and would happily cycle alongside) everyday. Dad is home everyday and I'm there for the majority of the day aswell so it would never be left alone. I'm slightly confused as to some of the breed characteristics, we would love a dog that we can let loose at the yard and obviously realise that a husky is not ideal for this, however our friends huskies have never run off and have never attacked livestock, is this something you can teach them or are they just lucky? We also have a pointer on the yard which is supposedly not meant to be good around livestock yet has never gone anywhere near any of the horses. Secondly, I'm not sure whether he has seens cats before but we have one (old) cat remaining, would it still be possible to introduce the puppy to the cat or will it simply want to kill it?

Appreciate all replies
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Its generally very rare that the huskies can be let off the lead. Reputable breeders will always advise potential owners not to do this. Huskies are bred to run and they have a lot of stamina. They can cover a lot of ground in a very short period of time and this makes it extremely risky if you lose one. I'd *strongly* advise you NOT to let them run free on a yard. You either need to be able to restrain this breed correctly or consider a different dog.

In terms of smaller animals. They usually accept cats if they are introduced as puppies. The problem occurs if you then want to add more cats later. They aren't particularly vicious, but they are hunters and have strong chasing instincts. I personally wouldn't trust mine with a cat. I don't think she'd mean to hurt it, but they're very rough when they play.

Yes, they need a lot of exercise and its not just exercise, they need to run and really exert themselves otherwise they can become destructive in the house. Mine jogs daily and I still have to crate her when I leave the house as she will destroy things (and she'll jump onto kitchen sideboards etc to do so.)

Other things I can say about them....

They can be noisy so be aware of that if you have neighbours. They arent guard dogs and *generally* they arent one owner dogs. You dont usually see the devotion from a husky to one person, like you would with breeds like the collie for example. That being said, my bitch is quite clingy to me and isn't particularly keen on new people - I think she is more an exception though. They're also extremely independent and many breeders describe them as more like cats than dogs. Huskies aren't an obedient breed of dog. They're very smart but they'll only do things if they want to.

Be aware that if you have a garden you need to husky-proof it. Generally they recommend fencing of 6 foot + (to be honest, given what ive seen my dog clear if she wants to, I'd say 8ft). The fencing also needs to be sunk into the ground as they're prolific diggers - usually 2 or 3 feet under ground is sufficient but even then I suggest keeping a close eye on them as they can dig at an astounding rate.

They have quite sensitive stomachs so you need to be careful what you feed them. Equally they're very sensitive to anaesthetics so you need your vet to be reasonably aware of this should the need arise.

They are lovely - but they arent for everyone (which is EXACTLY why so many appearing for sale / rehoming at about 1 year - 18 months old when they turn into adolescent monsters.)

Again, I'd urge you to either reconsider the breed completly or reconsider the idea of letting it loose. They are not suitable for this at all.
 
My sister and her OH have a husky and he is lovely but definitely not everyones cup of tea, most of the above post applies to him! They live in the middle of a forest in northumberland and have solved the problem of him needing to run but not be off the lead by buying a kick bike which the husky pulls!!!! I think you need to know exactly what you will be getting
 
Exactly what Tate says. They ARE lovely and I hate to appear negative when i see posts enquiring about the huskys / malamutes but so many of these dogs come up for rehoming because owners rush in and buy them and they are completly unsuitable.

If you're still interested in the breed, I'd beg you to source a puppy for a good, reputable breeder whereby you can go along and get a lot of information and advise before you take one on. I also wouldnt go and view a puppy unless you are 100% sure and informed because walking away is very difficult. These people clearly want rid of their dog and you won't get the full picture of the breed.

Another good idea would be to go to some of the rallies around the country where lots of breeders / owners gather. Again it will give you a much better idea on what you're taking on as they are very special dogs.

When we contacted a breeder regarding our first, we were interviewed quite thoroughly and met with the breeder 7 or 8 times prior to receiving our puppy. She also insisted on us going to a couple of shows to meet with other breeders she knew so we could speak with them and get more insight.
 
THIS HUSKI SOUNDS LIKE IT WOULD BE BETTER OF WITH U THAN THAN THE CURRENT OWNER!!
it is correct that these are very active intelligent animals, they need a great deal of excersise and stimulation.
4 months is still a young age to teach the dog good from bad and introduce training methods.
MY FRIEND HAS 4 RESCUE HUSKIES, DUE TO FECKLESS BREEDERS PUMPING DOGS OUT FOR MONEY AND NOT REALLY GIVING A TOSS WHERE THEY END UP ONCE THE CASH HAS BEEN EXCHANGED!!!
ALOT OF PEOPLE BUY THESE DOGS AS A FASHION ACCESORIES COS THEY ARE HEAD TURNERS, THEY DONT UNDERSTAND THE FIRST HING ABOUT THEM AND GET RID AT THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE!! i would urge u to cage train the puppy as soon as u get it so u can feel a ease when u have to leave it unsupervised!!! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY NEUTER IT, if its male it will reduce the risk of testicular cancer and calm it down, it will also help to gain weight as they are naturally slender dogs, and it is a bitch it will more than half the risk of mammary cancer, and totally cut the risk of ovarian cancer AND PYOMETRA,(infection of the womb) I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND BREEDING, BECAUSE THEY WILL ONLY END UP THE HANDS OF MORONS!!!
 
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THIS HUSKI SOUNDS LIKE IT WOULD BE BETTER OF WITH U THAN THAN THE CURRENT OWNER!!
it is correct that these are very active intelligent animals, they need a great deal of excersise and stimulation.
4 months is still a young age to teach the dog good from bad and introduce training methods.
MY FRIEND HAS 4 RESCUE HUSKIES, DUE TO FECKLESS BREEDERS PUMPING DOGS OUT FOR MONEY AND NOT REALLY GIVING A TOSS WHERE THEY END UP ONCE THE CASH HAS BEEN EXCHANGED!!!
ALOT OF PEOPLE BUY THESE DOGS AS A FASHION ACCESORIES COS THEY ARE HEAD TURNERS, THEY DONT UNDERSTAND THE FIRST HING ABOUT THEM AND GET RID AT THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE!! i would urge u to cage train the puppy as soon as u get it so u can feel a ease when u have to leave it unsupervised!!! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY NEUTER IT, if its male it will reduce the risk of testicular cancer and calm it down, it will also help to gain weight as they are naturally slender dogs, and it is a bitch it will more than half the risk of mammary cancer, and totally cut the risk of ovarian cancer AND PYOMETRA,(infection of the womb) I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND BREEDING, BECAUSE THEY WILL ONLY END UP THE HANDS OF MORONS!!!

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Dont neuter a dog just to calm them down as with a siberian you have about a 10% chnce of that happening.
Not all sibes are slender built I have one that is built like a brick outhouse and even if he was underweight he would still look like a brick outhouse because of his bone stucture, me eldest is from what you call age old race lines and he is a lot longer legged and slimline than my youngest but that is because he has been breed to sprint and cover ground at speed I would not want to make a dog overweight just so it looks like the more chunkier type sibe.
If you want a dog that can go off lead forget about a sibe as even those who have spot on recall can never be 100% trusted one day that switch will flip and he`ll go and you may not be lucky enough to catch him
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My two are brilliant with my young nephews and are very patient with them the oldest nephew is very happy to play with them even though he has a fear of dogs especially big ones
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Sibes arent for everyone but those who do fall for them they are the world

I hope my breeder does not believe im a moron
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We went to look at him today, owner reckons he is about 60% husky (definitely does not look full yet you can tell theres a lot of husky in him) he's brilliant, has been brought up with cats (yesss) and they've let him off his lead, although I will be keeping him on it. He has the biggest ears in the world, I'm hoping he'll grow into them one day as he looks a bit like an arctic fox at the moment. I'm 98% sure we are getting him, will post pictures soon
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you shouldn't really be paying for a re-home... but it is your decison to or not...

we never let our huskies off the lead... and never trust them with cats etc etc... but are fantastic pets if you have the time
 
Hi, sorry if u where offended by my MORON statement! not all owners are morons OF COURSE, JUST A LARGE MAJORITY!!
I DONT SUPPOSE THE BREEDER GAVE 2 HOOTS IF U WHERE A MORON THOUGH, THEY WHERE 2 BUISY COUNTING YOUR MONEY!!!!!
 
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we never let our huskies off the lead... and never trust them with cats etc etc... but are fantastic pets if you have the time

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yes agree, huskies are not allowed to be let off the lead, if you go on to the huskie club of great britian it will explain everything you need to know, they do they great pets as i quoted if you have the time for them, she is clearly selling him for the right reason but thats is they only reason why i would ever re-home a huskie, if its somthing different there has to be something very wrong woth the dog,

they do make great pets if you have the time, they are very time consuming, they are a pack animal which is 1 of the reasons why they should never be let ofd the lead, i do know people who have just 1 huskie but they very often meet with our pack, they are bred to run so if they are off they lead and get on a scent chances are they huskie will follow and not return,
bedding them is nother thing, our dogs are outside, which i think all huskies should be (in my opinion) but they will jump a 6ft wall with ease,
these dogs hve a cery sensitive sotmach so any trip to the vets, or operations they have to use different types of injections.

i would post more but i would go on all night and im sure you dont want a lecture from me,

beautiful dogs, but need your time, (often trash your house)
ect ect.
if you need any help ive got our web-site which i will be more than happy to give you the address, juts PM me and ill get back to you straight away.

i love people making huskies have a great life and live to their pontential, but SOME people have them for the wrong reason, im very sure you wont be one of them!!!

sorry if ive said anything you dont like, (i am trying to help) please dont take anything to heart.

thanx. xxx
 
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Hi, sorry if u where offended by my MORON statement! not all owners are morons OF COURSE, JUST A LARGE MAJORITY!!
I DONT SUPPOSE THE BREEDER GAVE 2 HOOTS IF U WHERE A MORON THOUGH, THEY WHERE 2 BUISY COUNTING YOUR MONEY!!!!!

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Dont worry mick wasnt offended just thought i`d mention that not all husky owners are morons although I bet some believe we are when they see what we put up with
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I guess I have been lucky where my breeder is concerned as she has become a very very good friend and is in fact throwing a puppy birthday party for my youngest and his brothers and sister next month.......see told you we where morons
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i love connemaras... where are you in oxford? i am in oxford and have a pack of huskies too
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were in culworth, near woodford halse, i dont know if you know where that is, its my antys team but i am on the team for displays we do ect ect.

where about are you?
 
no we dont have a rig.... as we have nowhere to run them where we are! so its pointless.. we run ours on a mountain bike.. my dad made this gadjety thing to stop the lead getting caught etc!
 
I have to say, I have always known the types of huskies as described by Tierra etc ......... however, my neighbour bought one a year ago and she is nothing like the stereotypical husky at all.

She is absolutely stunning - definitely one of the most beautiful huskies I have seen in a long while. Apparently she has superb bloodlines although I know nothing about the breeds lineage.

She lives outside and has done since she was 6 months old. She isn't locked up, she isn't chained, she is free to do what she likes.....and to be honest that doesn't seem to be much.

She has recall, and always comes.....except when I drive away from their house. Nothing to do with me I suspect, but she knows that I am going back to my dogs and her playpals. This is the only time she does not go back to them apparently and they now have to put her in the house every time I leave.

She is great with all of my cats. She often comes up to my farm to play with my dogs.

They did have a rabbit which lived in a massive hutch outside. The children left the door open one day and the rabbit was found with it's insides hanging out. It is not known whether it was Tess or coyotes. I presume the latter to be frank as there would have been blood all over Tess had she been the culprit.

She rides out with her owner, off lead. Her owner has horses and Tess gets on perfectly with them. When she comes over to my farm, we have loads of horses and she is never ever any trouble at all.

I have puppy-sat for her many many times at my farm. My dogs also live outside so all of them run around together for hours. I never have any fear of Tess running off as she just doesn't do that.

She is absolutely fantastic with all the children, even the toddler. She has never damaged any of their house when she has been left behind. Because she is still young she is brought into their house when they are going to be out for a number of hours. She has free rein of the whole of their house when they are out but it seems that all she does whilst in there, is sleep. She goes outside at night times and is only brought inside for the night if any of the bands of coyotes run riot on their farm.....and only because they are afraid that she may be killed by them, not because she runs off after them.

I guess what I am saying is that although there may be breed characteristics....not all dogs from that particular breed act in the same manner. You just have to be careful I think. Look long and hard at the parents and perhaps they will give you the sign as to how your pup is likely to turn out.
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