Husky dogs?

Question

Has anyone got husky's as pets either from pups or as adults? As I would really like to get one but have been hearing they are very hard to train and not affectionate due to them being decendants of wolves? And is it best to get one froma pup or as an older dog? Any help would be great.

Answer 1

If you are looking for a nice, social clingy dog, then the Nordic breeds like Huskies and Malamutes are not for you. It is not because they are related to wolves; all dogs are. Instead it is because these dogs are bred for working and are generally kept outdoors and not inside with the family. For this reason they are more independant than, say labs or cockers. They enjoy being part of the pack, and tolerate people well, but are not highly affectionate. They are usually high energy and need to be entertained a lot.

If you wanted the dog to be very soicial with you, then I would get a pup and try to spend every waking hour with it. If you want a good dog and admire the Nordic temperment (independant, headstrong) then an adult has the benefit of being easier to housetrain and you miss all those puppy problems of chewing and other shenanigans.

Answer 2

Huskies are wonderful dogs, but yes, they can be a challenge in the training area. I don't personally have one, but a few years back had considered one and had a good deal of communications with a really good breeder who showed his dogs.

He said they are a challenge in training and require persistence all the way. My suggestion is to seek out a good trainer, even before you get a dog/puppy. A good trainer will take you a long way and be able to help you with the little things that come up. We have a 5 month old Border Collie who is just finishing up her puppy kindergarten and also starting in Obedience Confirmation training class.

To find a good trainer, I would ask check with the breeder if you buy a puppy. Otherwise, contact your local Obedience Club, Agility Club, or Husky Breed Club and ask for references on trainers. We contacted our local Agility Club and that's how we found ours. She's excellent and we couldn't be happier. The advantage to going this route, as opposed to skimming the yellow pages, is that these folks take their training very seriously and will suggest trainers they have used, know and trust.

Good Luck, Huskies are a beautiful dog and a great pet... you'll just need to be really commited to the training aspect, which will make you and your new dog both happy.

Answer 3

Go here to read all about the breed and whether it would be right for you.

http://www.shca.org/

Talk to breeders on their breeders list. Part way down the page on that link)

They have a breed rescue as well.
Now, huskies will never set the world on fire in the AKC obedience ring - let's say they would not be my choice for a dog that I wanted to get past 1st level much less shoot for an OTCH (and I've put such titles on breeds where the consensus was "that breed doesn't do obedience work." and trained breeds to be Service Dogs to the shock of AKC show judges that a dog of that breed could do that tough and disciplined job.)

That link is the National Club for that breed that sets the breed standards and is the only club for the breed recognized and accredited by the AKC. The Clubs' websites will give you an ENORMOUS amount of information about the breed - the good, the bad, and the why or why not to get that breed. The clubs websites also have:

(1) a breeders list - all of whom have agreed to abide by the breeders code of ethics (which you can read)

(2) a link to the breed rescue for their breed

Do give serious thought to adopting from an adult from a breed rescue. The clubs' breed rescues go to a great deal of trouble to determine the dog's temperment, personality, likes and dislikes (particularly kids and cats and other dogs in the household), health, and level of training. They make a huge effort to match the right dog to the right home - and if they don't have one they think will be suitable for your home, they won't place it. Great way to avoid the puppy training, newpapers, chewing.......They have dogs that are purebred and part-bred (1/2 or so of their breed.) Rescue dogs typically bond wonderfully with their new families having beed abandoned and grateful to have a new forever home.

If you decide to get a puppy so they grow up with the childen, please use one of the breeders who are members of the breed club. A well-bred pet puppy may not be a candidate for the show ring (that nose being 1/8th of an inch to long or something else very picky) but they will be very healthy, the parents carefully screened for hereditary health problems, and from a breeder who has devoted a great deal of time to understanding the breed and bloodlines. A responsible breeder will have a written contract with a health guarantee for hereditary problems; require that if for any reason you ever have to give up the dog that it comes back to them; and always be available for help, assistance and advice about your dog. Such a breeder will tell you if they don't think their breed is right for you based upon your needs. They want a perfect forever home for the puppies - not the money. (In 43 years in the dog show world, I have never known a breeder of that caliber who has made a profit on their dogs - it is labor of love.)


A puppy from such a breeder costs no more - and often less - than from a backyard breeder who doesn't do the health checks, knows nothing about the breed or bloodlines, doesn't give a guarantee, never wants to hear about the puppy again and has breed from mediocre or poor quality dogs.

IF A SERIOUS BREEDER OR RESCUE TELLS YOU THAT THE BREED IS NOT SUITED FOR YOUR SITUATION - BELIEVE THEM - NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU LIKE THE WAY THE DOG LOOKS

Answer 4

I'm hoping that the other posts have emphasized enough that Siberians are no more closely related to wolves than any other breed.

Yes, they can be difficult to train, especially for someone who doesn't have much experience with dogs. They are independent thinkers (due to being bred to work out ahead of the human, rather than back taking direction from them), and don't dote on their people like the breeds that were bred to work closely with humans (i.e. hunting and herding dogs).

They can be destructive and noisy when bored, and MUST be fenced in or on-lead at all times. They love to run, and tend to ignore you when you call them, if something else has their interest.

What I'm saying now comes from 20 years of racing, showing, breeding, and owning Siberian Huskies. There are, however, plenty of good links on the personality of the breed:

http://www.shca.org/shcahp2b.htm
http://www.shca.org/shcahp2a.htm
http://www.kaylenbergsiberians.com/Ready.htm

Please research the breed carefully. And if you decide that one is right for you, go to a responsible, ethical breeder, who offers a contract with health guarantees and performs the necessary genetic testing on their breeding dogs.

BTW -- Someone mentioned that the breed has a high incidence of Hip Dysplasia. While I value the point they were trying to make, this is not true. Due to the diligent efforts of breeders to screen their dogs, incidence of the disease is at about 2% in the breed. The big concern with Siberians is eye disease (i.e. juvenile cataracts, glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, etc.) -- all the more reason to buy from a good breeder.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Any huskie I have known has been good and bad....like any dog,

They are prone to running away, so you need a fenced yard that they cannot dig out of. If you are in the country, watch the highways because they like to chase cars.

Huskies also see cats as another food group. Huskies in a vets office killed 2 office cats in a matter of seconds. If you get a puppy there is a better chance of training it to not kill cats...but you should never leave one alone with a cat.

They also need a LOT of exercise. If you dont, they will become destructive. They are smart dogs and need the stimulation.

Answer 6

frequently Siberian's love human beings. And strangers are even more effective interesting. they'll warn you to a persons' presence yet its more effective of a ''hi Howl'' then a ''caution Growl''. i visit communicate for my dogs in spite of the indisputable fact that after I say, I not in any respect challenge about being ''attacked'' by technique of human beings or different animals even as round my dogs. He can go from loving to preserving straight away if he feels someone is threatening me. And to the Doberman proprietor I in basic terms ahve to assert. even even though it really is authentic that Huskies have a extreme Prey pressure, not all are cat killers. many human beings have informed me to furnish my 2 cats away, as my husky would in basic terms kill them. This quite pisses me off. Even different dogs owners. yet a twin of how pitbulls are gntle lonving dogs even almost as good experienced, and socialized. Huskies are large with cat if given limitations. i comprehend myself from first hand adventure that Huskies, could have 2 cats for his or her suitable acquaintances, and a pair of more effective acquaintances that are hamsters.

Answer 7

My son has a Husky he got as a puppy, he's a really nice dog and no problems training him. Jake is a little shy around strangers, but very affectionate with his own family. Hope this helps...

Answer 8

Huskies are beautiful dogs, they are very loyal and loving, they have two coats and moult once a year so its lot to clean but you need to keep brushing it. They need a lot of exercise and if they get bored tend to find a way of running away, going on bike rides with them is the type of exercise they need but not to much in the summer as they can over heat, ob through being snow dogs. A husky is a big responsibility like any dog you need to read up on it, but if you are thinking about getting a dog why not rescue one, as there are lots of dogs and puppies in need of a good home. Good luck.
Another thing if you are to get one you need to one off a good breeder as they are prone to have hip dysplasia if they have bad genes, the kennel club can put you through to good breeders and make sure they have pedigree papers.

Answer 9

Huskies are wonderful dogs, they do need a lot of space though. I say if your serious about getting one make sure its a puppy because its always best to get a puppy so you can train him/her. Make sure you get your dog from a good breeder and he/she should grow up to be a well trained and affectionate dog.

Answer 10

ALL domestic dogs are decendants of wolves

Huskies are SPITZ dogs and like all Sptiz dogs are prone to some problem behaviors. they are more moody.. they are known to be Cat killers if not well socialized

if you are an experienced person getting a pup is ok but Obedience lessons are a MUST.. if not, getting a nice, properly socialized and obedient adult is a good option...

DO NOT get one if you dont have ALOT of time.. these dogs are VERY active and need long runs daily and alot of mental games to keep them entertained