Would a Siberian Husky stay around my house?

Question

I live in South Carolina where it gets pretty hot during the summer. I really want a dog and have been looking at Siberian Huskies for a long time. If I get one, I will get a female. She will be kept outside unleashed. I live on a farm on a dirtroad and there is lots of room.

Answer 1

U're kidding, i hope?!

Sibes are - NOTORIOUS - escape-artists, as well as one-way trippers:

i.e., they first get out, and then go - and go - and go.
Siberians were the dogs of the native people of northern Russia, and they were -nomadic-... meaning that they moved after the wildlife that migrated, seasonally. they ate a mostly-meat diet, so when the animals moved, they went after them.

the dogs are very much GYPSIES, as a result; they have been known to go over a 12 ft high cyclone fence, or dig under fences, or use a tree as a jumping point, running up the trunk to jump over a fence. they will 'chimney', like a rock-climber: feet on either side of a corner, to straddle the wire up and over.

(i watched one scale an 8 ft cyclone fence, in front of me; if someone had told me that a 40# dog at 14 mos age could do that, i wouldn't have believed them!!)

besides which, as a Breed, they are extremely social: they are prone to howling as pups when left solo, and they will EAT THE SOFA!! as tweens or young adults, if left at home alone and uncrated. this destruction Is Not! willful - it's the chewing response of a young dog who is distressed by being alone, and pacifying themselves the only way that they know how.

=Punishing= an anxious dog for chewing due to separation-anxiety MAKES IT WORSE, as now the dog is more anxious, which causes more chewing!!

U are proposing to take a highly social animal, a dog, from an even MORE social BREED, a Siberian, and let them _Live!?_ in the yard?

'looking' at Siberians, i'm sure U have done; what they -Look Like- has nothing to do with their breed's tendencies, needs, and talents.

in addition to the cruelty of taking an extra-social breed and isolating them, U have chosen a breed meant for Cold Climates, also =notorious= for HOT SPOTS, miserable weeping crusty sores that form under that thick coat in the humidity and heat of the SouthEast.

to say nothing of the hazards of snakebite, heat-stroke, fire-ants, beestings, and year-round HEARTWORM from mosquitoes, plus fleas, also a year-round phenomenon in Ur part of the country.

Please:
* build a fence! a proper one, at least 6 ft tall.
* keep any dog IN doors, where they are safe from wildlife and weather extremes and insect-attacks... and OUT of the heat and humidity!

and last: please choose another breed.

a short, smooth coat will handle the extreme heat and humidity better than any heavy-coated Nordic... and before U ask, no, shaving them won't help!

shaved dogs can suburn - dogs don't tan - and that coat is also 'insulation'. insulation works in both summer heat and winter cold; keeping any dog well brushed helps keep the coat clean, free of mats, and removes shedding dead hair.

Answer 2

You need to look at another breed. Sibes will run and never come back. You'll lose her the first day you have her. That's a trademark of the breed. Look up the Siberian Husky Club of America and read about the breed. Do this with any breed of dog your looking at. I don't believe in leaving dogs outside and especially without a fenced yard because of the possibility of getting run over no matter how far in the country you live. A dog can become interested in something running by, follow it, and wind up miles away before they even know what happened. I recommend you either re-think getting a dog, or re-think leaving her outside. Dogs are pets, not meant to be left in the cold and heat. Why get one if your not planning on spending time with her?

Manda Panda You DO know that Sibes are in the Working group?

Answer 3

Contrary to Manda Panda - the WOW-5 year expert - these are not "hearding" dogs. (I do hope that the 'a' is a typo,

They are in the Working Group and a sledding dog.

Will a Husky hang out the farm/house??? For about all of 6 minutes 43.8879 seconds.

These dogs were bred to run for miles and miles and miles....


GO here to read about them.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/siberian_husky/index.cfm

http://www.shca.org/ (The National Breed Club -only one accredited and recognized by the AKC)

"Of all the shortcomings to be found in Siberians, the most dangerous to the pet owner is their tremendous desire to RUN. But the very first dash that a puppy makes across the road could be his last run, anywhere. A Siberian, for his own protection, should be kept confined or under control at all times. If you are one of those people who think it is cruel to kennel a dog, or keep him confined in his own backyard . . . don't buy a Siberian. "

http://www.shca.org/shcahp2b.htm

Answer 4

As a Siberian Husky owner -- You Have Got To Be Kidding!!

If you don't know anything about the breed, please don't get one. Mine stays inside most times. Although canines are pack animals by nature, this is a definite trait with the Sib. Huskies. They need family and togetherness. You would be her pack. She needs communication with humans and lots of love and affection.

Huskies are NEVER to be trusted off a leash or not fenced in. No matter how well trained. Highly social, fast runners, diggers, vocal, shedders, blowing coat twice a year, extremely intelligent and independent, very stubborn, easily bored, escape artists, have a very strong prey-drive and NOT for the first time dog owner.

Answer 5

She will wander off. Huskies are notorious for roaming if not fenced, which you should know if you've been researching them lol. By not fencing her, you are placing her in danger of being run over, shot, killed by another dog (or wild animal), etc. Please fence her in. I had a Husky that died 6 months ago and I kept him in a 1 acre fenced yard. He had no problems with it whatsoever.

Please don't shave a Siberian Husky!!!!!!!! They need their fur and it will NEVER grow back the right way again. If you are going to get one, make sure it has a kiddie pool (or pond) and plenty of shade. Keep an eye on her for Hot Spots and also watch her for fainting spells. Huskies are prone to heat strokes and hot spots.

Answer 6

If your dog is going to be 100% outside all of the time you shouldn't get a dog, especially not a huskie. They have five layers of fur and it's just too hot and they need constant grooming to avoid skin infections and other things. Also, no dog is going to stay by your house, they will wonder off and chances are you'll never see them again.

Answer 7

By reputation huskies consider anywhere within 50 miles staying close and they love to chase chickens & cats (translation your neighbors are gonna hate the dog untill one resorts to shoting it). Even if your WAY of the beaten path, Id either go with a fence or a herding or guard dog breed that would be a little more prone to stay home

Answer 8

It all depends on training, the temparment of the dog and the dog itself.
If you take the time to train it to stay close by when off leash you won't have a big problem. But if the dog gets it into her head that she doesn't want to stick around, there's not much you can do to change that.
Research how hearding dogs are trained and think about getting in contact with a few training schools.
Good luck, hope this helps,
~Manda

Answer 9

you definately need to do more research on this breed before getting one!!!!!! they will RUN!!! this is their nature....get in touch with your local husky rescue and talk to them,they will tell you how so many end up in rescues because of people that think they are so pretty and dont pay any attention to the natural traits associated with this breed....no dog should be allowed to run unsupervised...I live in rural Kansas and see dogs hit on back roads all the time !!!! it is actually more dangerous because a dog raised without seeing traffic doesnt have a clue when they come in contact with it...I have a friend in Fla. that has 3 huskies but all live indoors in the air conditioning which she keeps at a comfortable temp. for them...whatever breed you choose PLEASE dont let it run loose..you risk it being hit,shot,getting sick or poisoned or a million other horrible things !!!!!!!

Answer 10

NOOOOO!!!! Sibie's are my favorite kind too but my mom said that she had friends with one all the way up in Indiana and they still had problems with how hot it got! They were always putting ice packs on the dog and the poor thing constantly fainted from the heat!!! Cross my heart!!! DON'T GET A HUSKY!!! UNLESS YOU PLAN TO SHAVE IT!!!