Husky dogs.?

Question

I am looking into getting a siberian husky. But I am unsure if they can be kept indoors or should they be kept in an outdoors pen or kennel. I would feel cruel if I left it outside whn I really didnt have to. Any ideas?

Answer 1

My husband and I own 2 Siberian Huskies. PLEASE do extensive research on this breed before deciding to get one. While our 2 dogs are excellent family dogs and we love them very much, this breed is not for everyone. On the down side, they shed - ALOT -on a daily basis, and require daily brushing to help keep this under control. Twice a year, they shed their entire coat, known as "blowing their coat." During this time, they can walk through a room, and small clumps of fur will literally fall off of them and onto the floor. Constant vacuuming and sweeping of floors is a must. They require a good amount of exercise (walks, running in a secure, enclosed area) on a daily basis, as well. Huskies are often referred to as "escape artists" or "Houdini" because they have an amazing ability to escape through the smallest of openings. Once they do escape, they will run for great distances, and once they finally stop, they will have no idea where they are or how to get back home. For this reason, they require a very secure, fenced yard, with a fence at least 6 feet tall, if not taller. Huskies are stubborn by nature, and may require great patience when training and/or teaching them basic commands. Our 2 dogs were fairly easy to train and caught on quickly, but they are sometimes stubborn when it comes to obeying a command, especially if it is something they do not want to do. For this reason, some huskies end up at rescue sites and/or being abused. Like alot of dogs, huskies can be chewers. We had some cable mounted on the side of our house for our T.V., and my husband had to take it down, run it through PVC pipe and remount it because one of our dogs began chewing on the cable. Huskies will generally get along with other dogs, however our 2 dogs do not like small dogs that bark alot. Huskies have a preying instinct, and generally do not like small animals - squirrels, rabbitts, etc. and may try to kill them if given a chance. Huskies do not typically like cats (both of our dogs hate them, so we do not allow our dogs anywhere near cats), but if raised with a cat, they may tolerate that cat, but only that cat. If inside the house, Huskies will typically follow you around (they consider their human family part of their "pack") a great deal of the time, (ours certainly do) and generally want to be right in the middle of whatever is going on with the family. Huskies generally do not make good watch dogs (they love people too much). One of our dogs does not bark at all, but like alot of Huskies, she is a "talker", and will howl at us when we talk to her or when she wants our attention. Our other dog will bark (through the fence) if someone walks down the alley behind our house, but if someone were to actually walk into our front yard, she would allow them in. I would NOT keep a Husky in a pen or kennel by itself - these dogs are much too social for that, and they much prefer being around their human family, but that's just my opinion. You don't say where you live, but I live in California, where the temperatures can get over 100 degrees in the summer and below 32 degrees in the winter. Our dogs have a small plastic "kiddie" pool that they can lounge in during the summer months, and bedding in an enclosed area were they can sleep or get out of the rain. However, I work from home, so temperature is really not much of an issue with our dogs, as they are both usually inside with me during the day, and they both sleep inside the house at night. These are some of the things you have to be willing to put up with when you own a Husky. On the upside, Huskies make excellent pets, and they love people of all ages. Both of our dogs are therapy dogs for the elderly, disabled, and terminally ill children. Sorry this is so long, but there is alot to known if you are going to own this particular breed. Best of luck to you with your new dog.

Answer 2

Huskies are meant to be outdoor dogs simply because of the heavy coat they keep from being in the arctic areas.

I would suggest keeping them outside, however if you have a cooler place in the house for them to sleep, they should be fine. I had a babysitter with two huskies who let them sleep in the basement because it was always a few degrees colder down there, and they lived to an old age and were happy.

good luck on whatever choice you make :)

Answer 3

These dogs are serious exercise dogs. They have been bred are working dogs, and prefer outside living as their coats are so dense, they would shed permanently if they lived inside. I would say that they would probably be ok inside for short periods i.e. when you're out shopping etc, but I don't think they suffer for living outside for extended periods (as long as they don't bark too much!) Have you research this breed, and can you provide the exercise and grooming they need? I know they are beautiful dogs but they require a lot of exercise! If you decide that this is the breed for you, I hope you have many years of enjoyment! (don't forget the dog insurance policy though)

Answer 4

They can live indoors. Its a big thing to take a Husky on - they need a good 2 hours exercise per day and you cant really let them off lead because they wont come back - they keep on running. Therefore you need to run with them on lead so you need to be super fit yourself. If you dont exercise them they become very frustrated and will escape by any means and run for miles. They can scale 6ft fences to get out if the mood takes them Be very sure before you get one. xxx

Answer 5

i think that huskies could be left inside if watched carefully. i would crate it up at night though and when you aren't at home. just to make sure you want a husky i would take this quiz its like magic. if the husky is in your 95% i would get it but they can be a lot of work and always need to have a job to do. there very high energy so just choose carefully. heres the quiz:
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselector.do

Answer 6

I had 2 husky's at one time and they lived inside,but they are very hyper dogs. If you keep them inside buy plenty of chew toys(kong toys are great), and you must exercise them a lot. You also need to have a high fence a privacy fence is best, because they can jump very high and can climb chainlink fences. I would also crate train them, and put them in their when you leave or they will destroy your house. They can be very sweet dogs and our very beautiful animals. If you think your house is husky proof and you are willing to give them the exercise they need, I say go for it. They can make wonderfull pets.

Answer 7

All dog breeds can be kept indoors with the proper exercise regimen and walking schedule, you will both be happier (and healthier!) if your dog is not tossed outside in the backyard and stored away like some old boxes in the wood shed.

Answer 8

Any dog can be an indoor dog. Just because they CAN live outside, doesn't mean you HAVE TO DO IT. This breed will probably like to spend a lot of time outside though.

Answer 9

siberian huskies are pack animals and don't do well being on there own,so before you get a sibe,do alot of research first,they need lots and lots and lots of exercise and your yard has to made like a prison camp as they r expert escape artists.my sibes do live indoors ,but they can live outside.it's not cruel.

Answer 10

I have had huskies and can tell you they were the happiest when they were outside esp when it snowed. They have very thick coats of fur that actually keep them very warm and they tend to get too warm when inside. I also found when I let mine in because of their large size, their tails did destruction to my house!! I think you will find once you choose one, their personality will shine when they are playing outside.

Answer 11

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