Wrong sort of dog for wrong sort of people??

[Fools Motto]

Just got back from a walk. Met a couple out walking their TWO husky's. Was introduced to 'Peaches' and 'Clementine'. Couldn't help but think, as the owners were being pulled over, literally - maybe her high heals were to blame and his flip flops? (personally I don't think their centre of balance was great considering they were plus sizes).
They were nice enough people, but told me that they don't let the dogs off the lead for fear of them going for another female dog, (didn't go for ours) and don't walk in the fields in case they try to chase the livestock. That leaves them with road work - once a day (because its too tiring to do more). Have to say, huskys are not my cup of tea, but did feel sorry for them.
I also thought huskys needed serious work? Am I wrong?

 

[Lady La La]

I don't let my malamute x off the lead, and as we're not blessed with the best dog walking country round here my dogs do quite a lot of road work. I'd also steer clear of livestock if there was any..
I'm not exactly skinny either, so I guess you could call me plus sized ( although it would offend me greatly)
Sounds to me that by keeping their husky's on a lead & staying away from livestock - they are being responsible dog owners?

Did the dogs look unhappy?

 

[CorvusCorax]

I think they are being responsible, but as long as they are getting enough road work.
To me, road work, done properly, is serious work, it can be much more taxing and wearing on a dog than other forms of exercise, particularly if you are going for long distances at a brisk pace, it's what we use for firming up/fittening work.
Also they have two, as pack animals, I think that is fair.
They might appreciate some friendly advice on equipment (they do need certain collar, harness, leads, to get the best out of them) and types of exercise and maybe somewhere they could meet other enthusiasts so their huskies can have a good yomp, rather than judgement

 

[blackcob]

Huskies do need a great deal of exercise but cannot be let off the lead. All the training in the world will not give them a reliable recall, their prey drive is sky high (they will chase livestock, the owners were sensible on that point at least!).

That said, on-lead work does not mean pootling about town once a day - more like several hours of walking plus working in harness, going out of your way to find secure areas to let them off lead, using a long-line etc.

Mine regularly make me go arse over tit in great big bovver boots, I'd last about ten seconds in heels or flip flops.

 

[Fools Motto]

Should of said, they told me they go the 'cottage' and back. The cottage is barely a few hundred yards from where they live.
Still, it could be worse, they might not go out at all like I am sure some dogs don't.

They didn't look unhappy, just over eager to do more! (then again, I don't know what an unhappy husky would look like!)

 

[Oberon]

My experience isn't with pure Huskys....but IMO these people's dogs will not stand for shoddy treatment

If they aren't kept busy enough, they'll find something to keep them busy....and likely tear their house apart in the process