I choosing between these two breeds-a Labador Retriever and a Siberian Husky. Which breed is good around older people and which is the friendliest around little children?
2007-01-13 05:23:07 · 29 answers · asked by Dimitrius L 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Labador Retrievers are good with little children and around older people. Siberian Huskies can love you one minute, then turn on you the next. I have had a Labador Retriever before and they are very loving and was very well behaved.
2007-01-13 06:01:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Generally Labs are better family dogs. Huskies as with all sled dogs are really one person dogs and much more wild then other breeds.
Any dog is well behaved if exercised properly, well trained and well socialized.
I have a husky x eurasier and I can not tell you the outrageous money I've been offered for him. I've seen him walking around with a 15 month old toddler hanging onto his tail, no problems. He's gentle with old people, he protects the house... He doesn't bark, rarely makes any noise....
Check out Eurasiers, the breed is really suited to what you are looking for. They are rare in north america.
Try for a Husky mix. Or an Alaskan Husky rather than a Siberian. That way you'll start with a breed more suited towards what you want. The problem with Labs is they are so common you run into a lot of health problems and inbreeding, unfortunately.
2007-01-13 05:37:11 · answer #2 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Labador retriever's are great around older people and they are very friendly around children. A siberian husky is bad around older people most of the time and they are not friendly around little children, it might seem like they are sooo nice but trust me they aren't. They are a disaster waiting to happen!
2007-01-13 05:32:04 · answer #3 · answered by sara H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know that huskies don't always have a good rep around children, but when I was 4-10 I had a babysitter who had two purebred siberian huskies. They were the sweetest dogs ever and the only memories I have of them is pulling us down the street in a wagon, playing catch, and being allowed to give them a treat. So they are by far my favourites!
As for little children: you really can't ever trust a dog around children. Until kids are old enough to defend themselves, etc, they need to be supervised around dogs at all times.
No matter what breed you get, remember that dogs are not always conformed to their breed traits or associations. Nice pitbulls, insane labs... it isn't a far off.
2007-01-13 05:53:58 · answer #4 · answered by bpbjess 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have had three labs two since they were 8 weeks and one that I rescued that was 4 years old. All three are great around my son who is 8 y/o. Another son that is 11 months and the dogs just lay there while he climbs on them and pulls there ears and tail and they just look at him. If he starts to hurt them they get up and move somewhere he can not get them. My two younger labs are rehab dogs that I take to work with me at the nursing home they just love attention and need a lot of exercise. I don't know much about Siberian husky except they don't do well in warm climates
2007-01-13 05:31:55 · answer #5 · answered by es 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would lean towards a lab or a lab mix, with training. http://www.petfinder.com
If any of the 'small children' leave the door open, a husky would probably take off and you would never see him again. They are natural wanderers and runners. This could be a bad match.
A lab or a lab mix would be friendly and fairly safe. They are awfully large for a super small child, but with proper training would be fine. The training would need to teach them to be gentle and not to jump on ANYONE.
Howeve, be aware that there are LOTS of lab bites reported each year. In our area, they are the #1 biter. Rescuing an adult who is proven child-friendly may be a great option for you. http://www.thelabradorclub.com/rescue/searchrescue.php
If you decide that you want a pup, you CANNOT leave it alone around the children. Impliment rules from the get-go that put YOU in charge of the dog, and abide by them. Supervise ALL interactions with the kids. Remember, puppies can be mouthy and break rather easily. You need to be with it pretty much at all times to prevent any accidents.
Also, if you go with a pup, be sure to use a good breeder. Labs are incredibly prone to severe hip problems - problems that can warrant euthanasia as young as 6 months old. Buying from a good breeder will minimize this possibility. ONLY use a breeder who is a member of the national club, and preferably their local club as well, and who follows all the ethics and guidelines put forth by that club and the AKC. Yes, even pet quality non-show puppies need to be selected by this standard.
http://www.thelabradorclub.com/library/selectpuppy.html
http://www.akc.org/future_dog_owner/about_buying_a_dog.cfm
http://www.thelabradorclub.com/breeders/
Good luck in your search.
2007-01-13 05:32:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you will find fewer problems with the Husky for older people.
I am huge fan of the Lab/Retriever breeds though, but they can be very high maintenance for the first few years.
But I think ultimately it should come down to the individual dog and the person, not for the breed. take the prospective new owner to the county animal shelter or rescue and have them interact.
Don't get a "name brand" dog, get a dog (especially mixes) for the the individual dogs own qualities and personality.
You may also want to consider an older more mature, settled in dog that will be lower key and more restful and respectful around their new owner.
Also older dogs are harder to adopt, and need extra special help and publicity. People always want puppies,and consequently, older dogs are left in the shelter/rescue longer.
So... yeah... i think you should get a good dog, not a good "breed".
best of luck to you!
2007-01-13 05:33:15 · answer #7 · answered by jdinsd 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would go with lab, because I had an aunt once who had a siberian husky and the dog got stolen and never seen again. Huskies are very popular dogs so I would go with a lab unless you want a huskie to get stolen from you if you get one. Labs are gret with young and old people.Labs are very playful but when it comes to old people they are really gentle and calm. when it comes to kids I think you will be happier with a lab.
2007-01-13 05:56:40 · answer #8 · answered by april diamonds 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please do your nieghbors a favour and go the Labrador. Huskies are pack animals and if they are lonely they do not stop howling and the howling sounds like nothing you have heard before. They are very nice to look at though. Getting a dog is a big decision though and you will probably get which ever puppy you fall in love with no matter the breed.
2007-01-13 05:37:55 · answer #9 · answered by amanda c 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The lab. Huskies can be a little rough, more stubborn, and you will spend half your life chasing it. lol Of course, this is just a generalization. Early socialization and good training are crucial with either breed. And all pups are frisky in the extreme
2007-01-13 05:31:29 · answer #10 · answered by and_y_knot 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋