Calling Siberian Husky Owners - info please General Chat

KarenMc · Apr 10, 2010

Hi

I am currently doing a canine behaviour assignment where I have to ask owners of a breed that I don't know a lot about as to the suitability of that breed of dog as a family pet living in suburbia. So I picked the Siberian Husky.

Would any of you owners of the breed please help me and be willing to jot down a few comments about the suitability of owning one of these as a pet? I need you to be as honest as possible in this and to include descriptions of temperament and developmental requirements including whether they can fit into different lifestyles i.e. city dwellers, families with young children etc. And perhaps what type of owner, experienced, new, young, more mature etc. Whether they are suitable for living with other animals too would be helpful.

Can you also include how many dogs you currently have (and if they are all Sibes), and how long you have owned Sibe's for.

I'm only interested in the comments of owners of Siberian Huskies (sorry to anyone else who wants to have a say) and will fully respect your opinions and comments - this is an assignment for a course so I have to be analytical in my data collection rather than emotional.

I appreciate anyone giving me their time to do this.

Cheers

Karen

MickB · Apr 14, 2010

This is an article I wrote about the breed which covers most of your points:

The Siberian Husky – A Dog for all Seasons
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 thousands of 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

Be capable of hunting and catching its own food if necessary.

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.

Is capable of jumping/climbing high fences.

Is capable of digging escape tunnels worthy of “The Great Escape” or “Colditz”

Is capable (if given the opportunity) of destroying almost anything in seconds.

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. The vast majority of 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:

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 the mother, father or the pups are not KC registered, beat a hasty retreat at that point. Note: there are other dog registration organisations in the UK but their registrations are not worth the paper they are written on. If it ain’t KC, don’t buy it!

Do the breeders work and/or show their dogs? If not, why are they breeding? Most good breeders breed litters to improve their teams either for the showring, the trail or both. If they are doing neither you have to assume that their main motivation is cash! - not the best reason for breeding dogs

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 house and garden 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. More often than not 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 for the dad as well as the mum.

Have the appropriate health tests for the breed been carried out on the parents? 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.

How old is the mother and how many litters has she had? No bitch should be bred before the age of 2 years or after the age of 7. There should be at least a year between successive matings and no bitch should have more than three litters in her lifetime.

Was the litter planned or was it “accidental”? If you are told that the litter can’t be registered because the mating was “accidental” and the bitch was too young/too old etc etc etc, walk away. Post mating contraceptive injections have been available from vets for years and there is no excuse for “accidental” matings. It is surprising how many bad breeders have “accidental” mating after “ accidental” mating.

Will the breeder expect you to sign a contract of sale in which you undertake to return the dog direct to the breeder if for any reason you cannot keep it, and in which you acknowledge that the dog has breeding/export restrictions on its KC papers and cannot be bred from without agreement from the breeder? All responsible breeders will insist upon this for the protection of the dog.

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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. 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.
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One important issue to bear in mind is that Siberian Huskies are seriously addictive and can seriously damage your lifestyle. We started with one in 1994 and currently have 14 Siberian Huskies plus a Leonberger and a Shiba Inu. We work them in harness 2 or 3 times each week and show them as well. They also do a lot of PR work for the breed and fundraising for SHWA(UK). There is no doubt that a busy and active husky is a happy husky.
From another article I wrote:

Health Warning - Siberian Huskies are addictive and can seriously affect your way of life!

When people acquire their first Siberian Husky (or other northern breed) we feel they should heed the health warning below. Siberian Huskies carry a huge risk of addiction and consequent mental health problems. Psychiatrists have identified a fairly consistent psychopathology followed by those who become addicted to Siberian Huskies. This illness is commonly known as "Siberian Syndrome" (or more generally, "Sled Dog Syndrome")

Stage One - Normality (or whatever passes for it!) is compromised by initial infection - often caused by direct exposure to Siberian Huskies in the street, at a dog show, or infection-by proxy as a result of exposure to televisual, cinematographic or photographic images (for example a viewing of "Snow Dogs" or "Iron Will"). An incubation period (this could be weeks, months or years long) is followed by:

Stage Two - purchase of cute husky puppy

Stage Three - conversion of house/garden into puppy-proof bunker.

Stage Four - consideration of acquiring second pup (to keep first pup company)

Stage Five - exposure to and infection by the showing/working bug (worst case scenario - both infections concurrently)

Stage Six - Gradual acquisition of more dogs (justified by the fact that you "need" them for your team, or you need better dogs to show)

Stage Seven - you suddenly realise that none of the friends you had before Stage Two ever visit any more and that all your current friends have multiple dogs.

Stage Eight - You exchange your posh car for a caged-out Transit Van so you have more room for the dogs (and the rig etc etc)

Stage Nine - You exchange your big house with tiny garden for a smaller house with a huge garden.

Stage Ten - you notice that an increasingly large proportion of your income goes on the dogs. You start to shop for your own clothes in Charity Shops.

Stage Eleven - If employment and finances allow, you move from your pleasant urban/suburban semi to a broken down cottage in the middle of Scotland (or if you don't yet want to go the whole hog - yet, somewhere in rural Norfolk ).

Stage Twelve - You are driving your mud-spattered Transit out of a forest at 7am in the morning after running several teams of your dogs in harness for 5 or 6 miles in the mud and ice. You are wet through, your feet and hands are raw with cold but your face is burning as your heater kicks in. Your dogs are asleep - gently and happily steaming in their cages behind you. You glance over at the well-dressed drivers snug and warm in their top of the range Audis on their way to well-paid office jobs and without a trace of irony, ask yourself, "How can anyone live like that?"
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If you want any further info, please PM me.

Mick

SibeVibe · Apr 15, 2010

Nothing more for me to add. Mick has summed it up beautifully

Researched the breed for just under 4 years and have lived with sibes for 18 yrs. We are definately at Stage 12!

Best of luck with your assignment.

Take care.

Seoniad.

KarenMc · Apr 15, 2010

Mick

Thank you very much for answering my call, the information is fantastic and has helped immensely.

Seonaid - thanks for answering too

Karen

Calling Siberian Husky Owners - info please General Chat

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