What are Siberian Huskys like? Questions

always been one of my Fav dogs, espically ones with those big blue eyes

not planning on buying one, hopefully in the future (way into) but thought id ask, i read some things on the net and im not sure if there true?

hard to house break?
hard to train?
dustructive if left alone/cant be left alone, so buy 2!?

would just like to hear from some owners, bumped into a Husky owner at the vets (wanted to run off with his dog!) and he said they are a dream to own he has 2 and a few cats, he said what i had read was rubbish, but they must have a purpose to train, make it fun, he cant let his off the lead so he has long lines, he said his were house broken in about 2 weeks!

he said he trained his to left left alone for 4 hours max, but he works from home mostly so it wasnt a problem for him and they werent dustructive at all!

i think show lines are ment to be calmer? do they get on well with other dogs and cats? (will have 3 or more cats by the time i buy one!)

i know you have to get hip scored & eye tested dogs, anything else to look out for?

thanks..........oh and as many pics as you like!

Yes to hard to train and yes to destructive - want a fair bit of exercise too - to be honest owning a sled dog is more a way of life than just having a dog

What are Siberian Huskies like?
The simple one word answer is WONDERFUL followed by a series of "buts".......


Sorry about the long reply below.............This is the standard reply we give to those who are interested in huskies. I have also answered some of your specific questions right at the end.

We hear a lot about “designer” breeds nowadays with breeders crossing a variety of breeds either for a particular purpose or simply for looks. The Siberian Husky was developed over some 3000 years, but imagine the task it would set “designer dog” breeders if it was created today.

Imagine the specification for a start………….

OK - we want a breed which will

• Survive and function effectively at temperatures down to -50 degrees C without any artificial aids.
• Pull a lightly laden sled tirelessly day after day over vast distances in arctic/sub-arctic conditions and enjoy it!
• Survive and thrive on the bare minimum of food.
• Be intelligent enough to take instructions from the sled driver, and also intelligent to ignore such instructions if they are likely to lead the team into danger.
• Survive and function effectively at temperatures up to 35/40 degrees C
• Is capable of hunting and catching its own food if necessary.
• Will be able to live happily with large numbers of other dogs with minimal friction.
• Will love people in general and children in particular so that they can be used in winter to sleep with the children and keep them warm.
• Will look absolutely beautiful at all times.
• Will combine an infinite capacity and appetite for work with an ability to sleep anywhere and everywhere at the drop of a hat.
• Capable of jumping/climbing high fences.
• Capable of digging escape tunnels worthy of “The Great Escape” or “Colditz”
• Capable (if given the opportunity) of destroying almost anything in seconds - especially when bored.
• Will combine the characteristics of an iron-hard sled dog with that of the softest lap dog.

​

These characteristics are what make up the amazing breed we call the Siberian Husky - the smallest and fastest of the arctic sled dog breeds. Siberians are, in large part, descendents of the dogs developed over a 3000 year period by the Chukchi people of Siberia, although a devastating series of famines during the 1860's meant that relatively few of the original Chukchi dogs survived and these had to be crossbred to other arctic sled breeds to re-establish the Chukchi sled-dog stock.
A nomadic, hunting people, the Chukchi required a dog which could withstand both the extreme arctic winters and the warm Siberian summers; could work amicably as part of a large team; could pull light loads over long distances at moderate speed; and which could live happily in the tents and igloos with the Chukchi and their children. The result was the dog which formed the basis for what we now know as the Siberian Husky. The breed started its new career as a working, racing, showing and pet dog after numbers were imported into the US, Canada and Alaska in the early years of the 20th Century, to work in the goldfields and compete in the developing sport of sled dog racing.
Siberians came to public prominence in 1925 when, amongst other sled dogs, they took part in the famous "Serum Run" race against time, to Nome, a remote coastal town in Alaska. An epidemic of diptheria had broken out in Nome and the only way of getting vaccine to Nome in the depths of the Alaskan winter was by dog sled. Although many mushers and their dog teams took part in this heroic venture, history records that one man, Leonhard Seppala and his team of Siberian Huskies, played a pivotal role in its success. Seppala and his team ran more than six times as far as any other team – 340 miles in all - in the worst weather conditions that the Alaskan winter could throw at them. This feat of strength, stamina and fortitude, more than anything sums up the capabilities of the Siberian Husky. Behind the beautiful exterior and friendly manner lie muscles of steel, a tireless spirit and a timeless desire to run.
The very first Siberians arrived in the UK in the 1940’s, but it was not until the 1960’s that more dogs were imported and their establishment as a breed here in the UK was assured.
Siberian Huskies, to those who love the breed, are the most wonderful dogs in the world! They are not a dog for everyone however. Siberian huskies are not Labradors – they are an independent, 'primitive' breed which loves human company, but which is quite capable of surviving without it.
Their particular strengths and qualities sometimes make them difficult to live with. To start with, they are extremely clever escape artists. They can jump or climb over, dig under, eat through or break down most things you try to contain them with. They can be extremely destructive, although this is usually down to boredom - especially if left alone for long periods. Most huskies cannot be let off lead. They will run and run - not to get away from you, but simply for the pleasure of running (and maybe to get that cat or squirrel they just spotted!). They are fierce and effective natural predators. During the summer, the Chukchi would let them loose to hunt for themselves and they have lost neither the instinct nor the ability. Life with cats and other small animals can sometimes be "interesting." Siberians occasionally come into rescue because they have killed cats but they were, literally, only doing what comes naturally.
Siberians are amazingly intelligent and can do anything a border collie can do (only better) - the difference is, a husky will perform a 'trick' once or twice and lose interest - a collie will carry on repeating it just to please its human!
On the positive side, Siberians are the most wonderfully affectionate and loving dogs you could ever hope to meet. Unconditional love is what they do best. Whether you are in a good mood, a bad mood, angry, depressed, ill or well, your husky will still love you and show it actively.
Although they are working dogs and really love to work, they are just as happy to take the occasional walk and live life as a couch potato. We often say that they have only two speeds - full speed and asleep!
Siberian Huskies are probably the world’s worst guard dogs. They love everyone (including burglars) and will sell their soul for a cuddle or a tasty treat.
Their striking looks are sometimes their downfall as people are occasionally tempted to acquire a Husky without "doing their homework" on the breed. Then, later, when the puppy eats the sofa or destroys the garden, it is shunted off into rescue. If you are tempted by a Husky, take some time to talk to other Husky owners before you take the big step into ownership. Huskies usually live to 15 at least. Are you willing to make a similar commitment to having a child???

So you want a Siberian Husky
If you decide a Siberian Husky is for you, how do you go about getting one? There are quite a lot of Siberian Husky breeders in the UK. Like most breeds the quality of dogs & breeders varies widely. A small proportion of breeders in the UK are reputable and responsible but most, unfortunately, are not. To the inexperienced it is often difficult to tell the difference. There are several indicators you can use to check breeders out however. Firstly, are the dogs being bred Kennel Club registered and are the pups KC registered? KC registration is not a 100% guarantee, but it is a strong indication that the pedigree of your dog is accurate and honest. If sire, dam or the pups are not KC registered beat a hasty retreat at that point.
Do they work and/or show their dogs. If not, why are they breeding? Most breeders breed litters to improve their stock for the show ring or the trail. If they are doing neither you have to assume that their main motivation is cash! - not the best reason for breeding dogs.
Secondly, how easy do they make it to buy a puppy? If you don't get the (friendly) third degree about your knowledge of the breed, the security of your garden & house etc. it is unlikely that they are a responsible breeder. Will they let you see the mum and dad and all their other dogs? You can learn a lot from the condition and temperament of the adult dogs in a breeder's kennel. On many occasions the breeder will have gone 'outside' for a mating so they won't actually own the stud dog, but they should be able to show you pictures, pedigree and health certification. Although as a breed, the Siberian Husky is very healthy, all responsible breeders will screen their dogs for hereditary defects. In particular, they should be checked for hip and eye defects. Ask if the parents of the puppies are tested and ask to see the results.
Will they expect you to sign a puppy contract in which you undertake to return the dog direct to the breeder if for any reason you cannot keep it? All responsible breeders will insist on this. So - that is what you look for when you find a breeder, but how do you find one?
One of the best ways is to visit large Championship Dog Shows and find the Siberian Husky benches. Here you will find a wide variety of Siberians, their owners and breeders. You will also be able to see loads of dogs and decide what 'type' of dog you would like. In the UK, Siberians range from the very slim sprint-racing dogs, through middle-of-the-road dogs who can succeed both in working and showing, to the chunkier US style Show dogs. You also need to decide whether you want a dog you can show and/or work as well as being a pet. At most big shows all types are represented. If you buy a catalogue you will have access to the addresses of all the owners at the show.
Similarly in the winter you can visit some of the racing events which happen all over the country.
You may have to wait to get the puppy you want as most reputable breeders only breed occasionally – If you are properly prepared, the wait will be worth it. The only problem then is you will want another, and another and another………….They are frighteningly addictive!!!
You need to be extremely careful when choosing a breeder. The biggest safeguard you can have is doing your homework thoroughly before even approaching a breeder. Please be aware that there are some very unscrupulous people out there quite happy to sell you an ill-bred, unsocialised, poor quality puppy from un-health-tested parents.
They may promise you registrations which never arrive, they may lie about the identity of the parents, they may lie about everything except the fact that they want your money!
Don’t be taken in by a flash website or the fact that a breeder may be a member of the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain or the Scottish Siberian Husky Club. Unfortunately this is no guarantee that the breeder is ethical. Nor is membership of the Kennel Club accredited breeder scheme. Over the years, we have come across some appalling puppy farmers who have been members of these organisations.
If you are not interested in showing your dog at Open or Championship level, but want a pet which you can work for fun, think about a rescue dog. Unfortunately, due to the increased level of indiscriminate commercial breeding of Siberian Huskies by puppy farmers/backyard breeders and the sale of pups to ill-prepared and naïve new owners, there is no shortage of unwanted Siberians looking for new homes.
Together with a group of like-minded husky enthusiasts, in February 2007, we estabished the Siberian Husky Welfare Association (UK). In the 18 months since our foundation, we have taken in and rehomed some 230 unwanted Siberians, so if you are interested in giving a home to an unwanted dog, have a look at our website (see profile)and contact us – you won’t regret it!Phew....

Anyway - to address some of your specific questions:

They are actually very easy to housebreak - we've never had a problem at all with it!

They are very easy to train - they will pick things up extremely quickly. The problem is, they think for themselves and if they can't see any advantage to something, they may just choose to ignore you.

A bored husky can become a destructive husky! There are some legendary tales of husky damage out there!

Because of their innate strong prey drive and their love of running, it is not safe ever to let them off lead in an unenclosed area. Some huskies will appear very obedient and will recall 99% of the time. Unfortunately that 1% can get your dog killed. We have lost count of the numbers of people who have said, "I don't understand it, he always came back when we called in the past!" while mourning their husky run over on the road or shot by a farmer for killing sheep! Puppies in particular tend to be very obedient for the first few months - then, when they hit puberty, they turn into "Kevin the teenager" and all bets are off!

Some sibes are clamer than others and while bloodlines may play a small part in this, our experience in welfare has led us to believe that it is also about nutrition. Many naive owners, assuming that a working breed like Siberians need ultra-high protein food, put them on the kibble equivalent of "rocket fuel" - as a result they are hyperactive and hard to handle. We have had several dogs like this through welfare and putting them on a low protein food has calmed them down significantly. Unless they are running the Iditarod, they need "rocket fuel" less than other breeds as their metabolism is so much more efficient than other dog breeds.

They get on brilliantly with other dogs as a rule. Cats they may tolerate if the cat is part of the pack (and preferably already established when the dog arives as a baby puppy) but even if they tolerate your cats (which is by no means certain) other peoples' cats will still be regarded as "lunch."

We test for HD in siberians not because it is common, but because it isn't and we want to keep it out of the breed. The average Hip score for Sibes is currently 7. It is usually recomended that the maximum acceptable combined score for a breeding sire and dam is under 20.

Eye problems, similarly are not particularly common and we want that to remain the case, so good breeders test for Hereditary Cataracts, PRA and Primary Glaucoma and some also for PPM and Corneal Dystrophy.

Zinc responsive dermatosis is very occasionally seen in the breed and that is about it! They do seem to be a pretty healthy lot overall.

Just to keep you happy on the photo front after all that text, this is a photo of one of our 8 week old pups with her new mum:



and one of her real mum watching critically as she does her first show training session



Mick

A lot lot harder than pretty much anything else..(bar a few other breeds)

Not for the feint of heart, but worth every second!

WOW!!! thanks for that! that was excatly what i was asking for!!

really intresting to read as well! infact made me want one more lol!! will really consider this bred now or even a rescue in the future, i do love the fact they are a bit more 'independant' and will get on with other dogs in a pack, looks plus great temprement!!

many thanks for that info i appreciate it!!

thanks to everyone else too!

gorgeous pics! love the one of mum watching keeping a eye out

awww lol thanks lovely picture!

Just remember SIbes will more a lot more challenging and a lot more vocal and need a lot more exercise than your previous dog..

ANd will also need a firm, fair and consistent upbringing

Louise is right - northern breeds (and especially some of the sled dog breeds) tend to be very pack oriented and respond to firm leadership. If you don't provide that leadership, they assume that the job is up for grabs and they'll go for it!
And, as Muddiwarx said above - having sled dogs is (or becomes) a way of life.

Mick

I don't want to put a downer on this, but I wouldn't be able to cope with a husky due to my bad leg.

As I understand it, you don't enjoy 100% fitness either, honey.

Considering the rehoming of Roggie, a husky would be the last breed I would be thinking of for you.

x0x

I agree with Vicki...

You did seem to have lots of problems with the little dog that you had.. and according to yourself you have a problem walking the dog..

A sibe will be a million times worse than a Bichon cross.

gorgeous puppy pics

i didnt re-home him for his problems i was forced to re-home him or he would still be with me, he had alot of probs that still havent been resolved, as no trainer can help and he still cys nearly all the time! no one knows why!

im also talking about 10 years in the future not now!

i used to walk Roggie 2 times (sometimes more) a day up to 90 mins each time!!!!!!!!! and plus over the fields for over a hour off lead 3/4 times a week..........

only time i could when i was in pain and hed go jogging with my partner for over a hour.............

i dont think that is bad myself!!!!!!!!!

only bad part was if i was in pain during the day when i couldnt let him in a garden didnt have one! hence moving! if i was not well, BUT im talking about 10 years down the line when i will have my own place!

other than that we were always outside as he got my confidence up so much! wed even sit outside instead of sitting in side with him on a long line!

not even sure will get one yet only asking about them! anythign can happen in 10 years!

I don't know much about them sorry, but wanted to say that i know it is a heart breaking decision to have to rehome a dog so that makes it all the more important to chose the right type of dog when you are able to have one again and get the training in early.

It's good to see that you are doing research, think it would be a really good idea if all people planned in advance, as well as really looking into modern training techniques and the best way to raise and socialise puppies.

Being dogless at the moment might be horrible but it would be great to continue the research you are doing and make sure you are really really prepared for when your next pup comes along!

enjoy the research!!!

ANd what makes you think that a Sibe won't have all the
problems your previous dog had and more??

I don't think you coped very well with him and most of your posts on here shows that!!

They are rather larger than your previous dog and also a bit more bouncy and bit more powerful on lead etc.. Definately not for the feint hearted and definately not cos they have blue eyes!

How cute was that puppy!!!

i dont think we caused all of his problems, he was taken away from his mum and litter mates at 3/4 weeks and put into a home and was not treated well hence he went into rescue, when we got him at 8weeks.

i know they are large dogs i grew up wth large dogs. i know there more powerful and bouncy
i dont get the blue eyes bit?

i know he wont have the same problems as he will be brought up differently, i prob didnt cope very well, espically due to the fact we had no garden, was on constant watch by the neighbours with a landlady down our neck everyday asking about him.

i dont know How i will cope with my next dog all i can do it do more and research, and not get the first dog i see. plus it will be in our own home with no pressure, heaven!

so just because i didnt cope well and 3 trainers couldnt help us with him means im a bad person?
i will have another dog, im not a bad person i didnt abuse him, every deserves a second chane. sounds like your saying i shouldnt own one again?!

and once again i have to add im talking 10 years DOWN the line in the future!!

Don't base wanting a dog on its blue eyes..GOOD breeders don't put you on a list for a blue eyed dog!

Maybe then in hindsight it wasn't a good idea for you to have any dog in that situation, the dog suffered for it..not having a garden etc..

Not saying you should't have any dog..I just think a sibe is not the way to go..

I remember your huge list of dogs that you wanted.. all of which were large powerful dogs..not ideal first dogs..(even if you did grow up with them, its not the same)

who based it on blue eyes? i said i liked their blue eyes and i do, i also like the brown eyed ones, the dark ones, the light ones, ive liked these dogs since i met when when i was about 6. 2 were round the corner and id go and see them al lthe time, as i did with great danes, German Shepherds, staffy x pitbull, bull terrier, collies, jack russells, and many other breeds little and small.

so you shouldnt assume. id be a bit of a idiot to like something because of its eye colour and im not a idiot.

it wasnt a good idea to have a dog here hence moving. the dog didnt 'suffer' we was out most the time just because he didnt have a garden meant he was 'suffering'

i still want all of them dogs, its a 'dream' list for god sake cant i like different breeds!

im talking about 10 years time!! maybe 20! maybe never!i will have had dogs since then, it might not even happen! i keep saying this! god im only asking!!!!!!!! i can ask!!!

Thats good then... as if you get on a good breeders list you may not get blue eyes!

BUt you did get a dog there..maybe if you had moved first you would still have your dog? I would advise people who don't have a garden not to have a dog..thats my opinion.. as you said you couldn't let him out into the garden when he couldn't go out for walks.. That is probably why you had such a hard time toilet training him..

Yes you can like them.. not saying you can't.. just saying they will be a lot more challenging than your previous dog

yes I read that..

Lets hope whatever you get in between now and then is easier trained than your previous dog and in a better home situation

i coudlnt let him out in the day but he went out at night, some people in houses with gardens didnt take there dogs out as much as i took mine out, people round here some of them only let there dogs in the garden instead of taking them out. toilet training him was the same as anyone with a new puppy getting him to go in the right spot, so people in houses dont have trouble? no where would accpet dogs to rent, we looked for over 2 years, we found one that fell through after we got him, not the best situation to be in. lots of people have dogs in flats that dont have trouble, everyones has their own opinions id never have a dog again unless i had a huge garden. the next dog i get with be a GSD that the dog i was always getting next and still is, i want be a first time owner anymore ive owned a dog and learnt my lessons, if we moved id still have my baby here with me, but i dont and i cant change that.