Next companion advice Which breed for me?

carlosreevos · Oct 12, 2010

I enjoy the spitz type breeds and I am looking for my next companion dog.
I have owned an Elkhound for the last 10 years, until old age crept up on her.
I have a short list of dogs that I think want to look into further and wonder if anyone wishes to share there opinion to help me would be appreciated.
List is:
Alaskan Malamute
Huskey
Czech wd/ Sarloos
Doberman ( not spitz I know)
I have already researched these breeds but books don't tell the whole story at times.
Any input welcomed
Thanks

BrendaMarie · Oct 15, 2010

I own a husky for companion only (would love to have a go at agility but too busy atm). She's a joy to live with, the only down side is:
1. She chases cats outside
2. The hair (no biggie really, there's just A LOT of it 2 times a year)
3. Can't let her off leash in a non fenced in area

She's vary loving and get's along good with my Border Collie. She does need a lot of exercise (a good run a few times a week on top of walks). My boyfriend takes her out on his roller blades and me on my bike and both dogs love it! We did get her second hand so she does have some bad habits (begging and chewing and a few others) that we are working on and she is improving. They do dig.

MickB · Oct 15, 2010

This is the information we usually give to people considering a Siberian Husky:

The Siberian Husky is the smallest and fastest of the arctic sled dog breeds. Siberians are, in part, descendents of the dogs developed over thousands of years 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.

Other sled dogs which can be seen in the UK today include Samoyeds, Canadian Eskimo Dogs, Greenland Dogs and Alaskan Malamutes. There are also a few Alaskan Huskies, but these are not purebred dogs, they are hybrids raised specifically for racing

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.

Huskies should never be allowed off lead in an unenclosed area. 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!). Husky puppies may fool you into thinking they are extremely obedient and can safely go off lead. Don't believe it for a moment! Once they reach their "teenage" stage obedience will become optional and the legendary selective deafness of the husky will come into play. Too many huskies have ended up dead on the roads or shot by farmers to take the unnecessary risk of allowing them off-lead in unenclosed areas. We recommend that they be trained to recall however, as the likelihood is that at some time your dog might slip its lead or squeeze through a gate as it is being closed. If it is trained to recall at least you have a chance of getting it to return.

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." Many Siberians 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???
Click to expand...

Husky Q & A

Q. - I’ve heard that you can’t let them off lead and they will run away if given the opportunity. Is this true??

A - They don't actually run away - this would imply that they are trying to get away from you, which is not the case. What they are doing is obeying an instinct which is hard-wired into them - their prey drive. The Chukchi Inuit people, who first developed the breed were summer village dwellers and winter nomads. In the winter, they would put the whole family onto their sleds and follow whatever game was available to hunt. In the summer, they would let the dogs loose around the villages and would rarely feed them, leaving them to hunt and feed themselves. As a result, they have an awesome prey drive and extremely good hunting skills. When they "run away," they are usually following this drive. The answer, is to exercise them in harness if possible and always walk them on lead in unenclosed areas.

Beware over-confidence however, many Siberians will be very clingy and obedient as young puppies, then when adolescence hits—everything changes and the plaintive cry of “He’s always come back before” is heard from the distraught owner.

Q. - I’ve heard they will chew everything in sight and will destroy my house

A. - Puppies of all breeds will often chew all sorts of things - especially when they are teething. Adult dogs much less so, although all of them may act destructively if they are bored or distressed. They also seem to find ripping things into small pieces therapeutic. If we leave a kitchen roll or toilet roll within their reach, our dogs will shred it into tiny pieces in seconds. If you have a lifestyle where the dog will need to be left alone for long periods of time, then a Siberian is definitely not for you! They love and need human company.

Q. - I’m told they are not obedient and will never listen

A. - I don't think that sibes are any less likely to listen than other breeds. The difference is that they will listen and then make their own minds up as to whether they are going to obey you. Siberians are more pack oriented than many breeds and they are more likely to obey you if they accept you as the pack leader. On the other hand, bribery (especially with food)works wonders with 99% of sibes.

Q. - Apparently they will chase and kill cats and any small animals

A - Yes and no! This relates back to their high prey drive as explained opposite. The Siberian’s natural instinct is to regard any small animal (and some larger ones like sheep) as a combination of sport and food. This is hard-wired into the breed and is difficult, if not impossible to change. Having said that, many Siberians manage to live affably with cats - as long as they regard the cat(s) as part of their "pack" - other cats will still be fair game. It is sensible however, not to introduce any new non-canines to the household once the dog is established (unless you can keep them very securely separated—remembering that huskies are extremely efficient at breaking and entering.)

Q. - Will they ruin my garden?

A. - Guilty as charged - they can dig huge holes and miraculously make the dirt disappear so that you always have more crater than earth. If your idea of an ideal garden is a recreation of World War 1 battlefields, then the husky is your ideal dog. If you want a wonderful garden landscaped to your plans and not your dogs, either (a) don’t get a Siberian; or (b) ensure that the dog has an escape-proof dog run of its own. The ideal husky garden is a concrete enclosure with 8 foot husky-proof fences all round.

Q. - I’ve heard they are not very intelligent and impossible to train

A. - They are frighteningly intelligent! As far as training goes, it depends what you mean by training - they are actually very easy to teach - it's the obedience that is the problem. Sibes are very independent and will weigh up the pros and cons of a situation and act accordingly (which does not mean automatic obedience). If you throw them a ball, they might bring it back the first time, but if you throw it again, they’ll just give you that look which says, “You threw it, you go and get it! Do you think I’m stupid?” (Or they will just eat the ball!)

Q. - Do they need vast amounts of exercise each day?

A. - Husky exercise is a strange one. They seem to be equally happy running 20+ miles each day in harness or sleeping 20 of every 24 hours. The trick is to vary their daily exercise. If you walk them for five miles every day at 6.30am, then on the day you want a lie in, they will be howling for their walk at 6.30am!!

Don’t walk them too much as puppies—five minutes per day for every month of age is a good rule of thumb.

***********************************************************************************

So - many of the things you have heard about Siberian Huskies are true, BUT - there are exceptions to every rule. It is just not sensible to assume that your dog will be that exception.
We would suggest that you visit several husky owners at their homes and see what it is like to actially live with the breed before making a final decision.
Click to expand...

Good Luck

Mick

Tupacs2legs · Oct 15, 2010

hi

huskys have been covered ;-)

i have the pleasure(lol) of owning two of the breeds on your list... csv and sibe....altho they do have similarities they are two very very different breeds...maybe it would be easier if you asked what you wanted to know about csv's or explain your reasons 'why' you are considering one,then maybe i may be able to help?

magpye · Oct 15, 2010

I have an Alaskan malamute / husky cross.. and would agree with everything Mick said above... My garden is a concrete yard surrounded by 7ft fencing and I bless my stars that it is ..

I also have a Samoyed, not on your list, but I would heartily recommend that you add one ... If you have had an elkhound then the grooming needs wont be too daunting for you and a sweeter and more melodious companion you couldn't hope for... Samoyeds don't bark, but they do yip aaayup, hooool and sing. I cant imagine my life with out the fuzzball Also big on digging, but Selkie certainly has always been much better off lead than Kismet and is a perfect lady with all sizes of people and fuzzies.

BrendaMarie · Oct 15, 2010

"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." Someone tell this to my dog please, she hates to be alone!! She is a people dog, but that might be due to the fact we've taken her every ware and she's used to it. She does love her car rides, so much so that she got out once and went straight for the open car door of our neighbor's car, much to her displeasure lol

Also she let's our Border Collie do the escaping and then follows. she only escaped once on her own and once she saw we knew how she did, she didn't do it again... But I think I just got an individual dog who doesn't live up to the breed, she can't even run 2 miles with out being tired (and we run her quite often so it's not like she's out of shape any more lol)

Vicki6344 · Oct 16, 2010

No Shiba Inu on your list..........

A wonderful breed to own (Biased? Moi?)

Tupacs2legs · Oct 16, 2010

.... hows about a laphund? ;-)

SibeVibe · Oct 16, 2010

Quoted by MickB:

If you throw them a ball, they might bring it back the first time, but if you throw it again, they’ll just give you that look which says, “You threw it, you go and get it! Do you think I’m stupid?” (Or they will just eat the ball!)

Made me laugh Mick

Nothing more to add about the sibe. They truely are wonderful family orientated dogs.

Best of luck with your research.

Take good care.

Seoniad.

Tupacs2legs · Oct 16, 2010

... ahhh but santo and orla(sibes) retrieve,santo non stop given the chance...... and i never taught him to like a did orla

SibeVibe · Oct 16, 2010

Tupacs2legs said: ↑

... ahhh but santo and orla(sibes) retrieve,santo non stop given the chance...... and i never taught him to like a did orla
Click to expand...

Wish mine were the same. I just get 'the look' after a few times. You threw it, you get it, I'm off silly human

Take care.

Seoniad.

carlosreevos · Oct 17, 2010

The husky seems like a very well supported breed and the description is what I like ie intelligence and independence

Next companion advice Which breed for me?

carlosreevos New Member

Next companion advice

BrendaMarie New Member

MickB New Member

Tupacs2legs New Member

magpye New Member

BrendaMarie New Member

Vicki6344

Tupacs2legs New Member

SibeVibe New Member

Tupacs2legs New Member

SibeVibe New Member

carlosreevos New Member

Share This Page

Official threads