July 13, 2008

I'm looking at getting a Siberian Husky that is between pup and 2 years is this a good first dog?

I jog a lot and am going to be home a lot so spending time with her or him won't be an issue. I was just curious. Thank you.

While excellent for an active lifestyle (i.e jogging, hiking), Siberians are not good dogs for first time dog owners. They can be stubborn, they can be destructive and noisy when bored, and they don't have the "I live to please you" personality that most people expect from a dog. They like to push your buttons, and if you aren't used to dealing with highly independent, highly intelligent dogs, they will play you like a harp.

They MUST be fenced or on-lead at all times.

More information on the breed:
http://www.shca.org/shcahp2b.htm
http://www.shca.org/shcahp2a.htm
http://www.kaylenbergsiberians.com/Ready.htm

I have 32 Siberian Huskies in my kennel. If have lived with, shown, raced, rescued, and trained them for many years. So what I'm saying is a matter of fact and experience. The links above are excellent. Check them out in your research.

I adore this breed. But I recognize that they aren't for everyone. If you decide to go with a Siberian, talk to responsible breeders (preferably more than one) before you buy. Visit kennels. See as much of the breed as possible. Since you're willing to consider an adult, think about rescuing a dog from a Siberian rescue group.

Good luck!

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Comments on I'm looking at getting a Siberian Husky that is between pup and 2 years is this a good first dog? »

October 27, 2006

Alakran @ 10:23 am

They are good dogs, but they need to exercise every day.
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nyc_sweetheart2001 @ 10:25 am

Siberians are great dogs, I love mine to death. The only thing is this breed is famous for escaping and running off, make sure your home/backyard is escape proof and keep tags on it all the time.
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Tricia @ 10:25 am

They are very hyper dogs and love attention. Not a good dog if you leave in an apartment and if you do live in a house make sure you have a tall fence because they are good leapers.
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Sheri B @ 10:25 am

Very good dogs, and gets really close to their owners. Lots of energy and pep, so jogging is good! I had one about 6 years ago, but she died due to seizures (ran in her bloodline,, I was told). josie was an awesome dog. Now I have a Saint Bernard, Bud, although he is my baby, they are 2 very VERY different breeds! Now back to the question……I would definately recommend a Husky for you tho!!! Good luck and enjoy, they are worth every penny! God Bless!
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monkeysarecute!!! @ 10:26 am

take her jogging it might be a little fun
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pans_insanity @ 10:26 am

They are good active dogs and need alot of exercise and room. They also have a strong prey drive so they will need kept on a good leash and in a yard with 7 foot fencing.
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Gina S @ 10:26 am

for a first dog, i would not recommend a husky - although granted i have no experience with them. however, typically huskies were bred to survive harsh winter environments and drag heavy sleds across desolate tundra. genetically, this is not a happy go-lucky doggie. you may also want to check with your homeowner/renter insurance companies, as many make you pay extra if you own dogs of a certain "high risk" category. where you live also may be a factor, as I doubt that a husky will be very comfortable in the deep South during 100F summers with 90% humidity.

Golden retreivers tend to be very friendly dogs, and may be a better bet for a first one. . . although as with all pure-breeds, you run the gamut of genetic abnormalities and puppy mills
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Tim C @ 10:27 am

Invest in lint rollers and brushes but you can't get a better cuddle buddy than a "big fuzzy". If you run with the dog, buy a harness instead of a collar to clip the leash to, they respond to it better.
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alizusa @ 10:27 am

Yes, they are good dogs for that purpose. They love to run and are friendly too.
I had 5 of them at one time. Each of my kids had their own dog.
They love to make holes in the ground to lay in to keep themselves cool, so if you live in year-round warm or hot weather I would not recommend one.
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Help Me Please @ 10:28 am

This is a high energy dog. They also have running away issues because they are very independent by nature. And know what putting a dog with this much energy in a back yard is not considered exercise. Good luck!
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MARMIE @ 10:29 am

I believe a Siberian husky is a wonderful dog and they will learn whatever you teach them. They are extremal smart and the younger u get them the better it is. I had a really nice one who never ran off. he loved to run and walk and play with me and the children in the neighborhood. You must spend time with him and teach him manners, they are not a spiteful dog but they are what you make them as any dog is. Just stay the pack leader with him and you will have a wonder friend and pet.
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my own experience.

mei-lin @ 10:29 am

go to akc.org and look up the breed characteristics and then decide.
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Cate A @ 10:31 am

These are beautiful, extremely active dogs. Keep in mind, they are natural escape artists. If you are home most of the time, that may not be an issue for you. They are high energy dogs. Being a runner yourself, that would make a perfect match. Best of luck to you.
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tigerseye402 @ 10:36 am

I am under the impression that they are not the best first dog. They need firm and consistent training, require a lot of exercise, can be cat aggressive, and are escape artists. You might want to look into training him how to cart or pull once he is fully grown to give him a job to do. A securely fenced in yard is a must.

That's not to say it can't work, though. Look on petfinder.com and you'll find many Siberican Huskies and husky mixes who are in need of a home. If you are willing to put in the extra effort in training and exercise, they can make a great companion and a good jogging partner for you. They are on my list of breeds that I want to own in my lifetime. <3
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Loki_Wolfchild @ 10:39 am

While excellent for an active lifestyle (i.e jogging, hiking), Siberians are not good dogs for first time dog owners. They can be stubborn, they can be destructive and noisy when bored, and they don't have the "I live to please you" personality that most people expect from a dog. They like to push your buttons, and if you aren't used to dealing with highly independent, highly intelligent dogs, they will play you like a harp.

They MUST be fenced or on-lead at all times.

More information on the breed:
http://www.shca.org/shcahp2b.htm
http://www.shca.org/shcahp2a.htm
http://www.kaylenbergsiberians.com/Ready.htm

I have 32 Siberian Huskies in my kennel. If have lived with, shown, raced, rescued, and trained them for many years. So what I'm saying is a matter of fact and experience. The links above are excellent. Check them out in your research.

I adore this breed. But I recognize that they aren't for everyone. If you decide to go with a Siberian, talk to responsible breeders (preferably more than one) before you buy. Visit kennels. See as much of the breed as possible. Since you're willing to consider an adult, think about rescuing a dog from a Siberian rescue group.

Good luck!
References :
Siberian Husky owner/exhibitor/rescue/breeder for 20 years.

Ashley G @ 10:48 am

This is not a dog for a first timer. Huskies are sweet dogs, but they are really tough to train, and are very independent. I am an experienced dog owner, and assisted a trainer a few years ago, and I'm still having trouble training mine. Go for an easier breed, almost any other breed would be, and get some experience before jumping into getting a husky. There is a reason this is the breed most often sent to shelters. Also, huskies do not seek attention like a lot of other breeds, so it's not that you are spending time with them as much as getting them exercise. To have a calm husky you need a minimum of 1 hour per day of SERIOUS high intensity exercise. Really think about this before getting one. They are hard to handle
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Zanahade @ 10:48 am

YES, They are wonderful.

Now just a quick couple of hints:
1. FRUMINATOR, a divice purchaced at most pet supply stores removes the under coat gently and safely.
2. Choke chains won't do, Huskys have a tendancy to choke them selfs on choke chains, Instead I would recomend a harness that the leash attaches to in the front so if the pupy pulls it will just turn them around facing you. Mine works great!
3. Strong preditors, these dogs have no troble surviving in the wild, they are good at running prey to the ground, so get a good leash, and hold on tight.
4. High fence, big yard. It is true they jump high and like to run so make sure you are equiped with a large yard and a high wall, but going for a bike ride with them is a good way to wear them out when they get anxious.
5. BE PREPARED FOR THE LOVE'N!, these dogs are very lovable and love to give affection! Likewise they require a lot of attention. I would recommend getting a second dog, they will be less demanding and as a pair they keep each other company- Huskys typicaly get along with any other freindly dogs.
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ann a @ 11:37 am

The odds are NO!

These are not at all an easy breed to handle nor train. Lets jsut say they have trouble getting a basic 1st level obedience degree in the hands of experienced trainers.

They require a securely fenced yard or they will be 10 miles away.

You can read about all the breeds at

http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_area=breeds

You can search by Group, Breed name or all of them at once.Now, when you click on the picture of the dog and go to the page for that breed, on the left is a column. At the bottom of the column, is a link captioned "National Breed Club". Click on it - that takes you to the link to the National Club for that breed that sets the breed standards.

Go here to read about the Huskies:

http://www.shca.org/

That first link takes you to the National Club for that Huskies whihc is the only club recognized and accredited by the AKC for that beed and it sets the breed standards.

The Clubs' websites will give you an ENORMOUS amount of information about the breed - the good, the bad, and the why or why not to get that breed. The clubs websites also have:

(1) a breeders list - all of whom have agreed to abide by the breeders code of ethics (which you can read)

(2) a link to the breed rescue for their breed

Do give serious thought to adopting from an adult from a breed rescue. The clubs' breed rescues go to a great deal of trouble to determine the dog's temperrment, personality, likes and dislikes (particularly kids and cats and other dogs in the household), health, and level of training. They make a huge effort to match the right dog to the right home - and if they don't have one they think will be suitable for your home, they won't place it. Great way to avoid the puppy training, newspapers, chewing…….They have dogs that are purebred and part-bred (1/2 or so of their breed.) Dogs that come through rescue are so thrilled to have a forever loving home having once been abandoned to a shelter or rescue that they are typically extra devoted and loving. Dogs lose their homes for reason that are not their fault: death, divorce, a move and they couldn’t keep them, financial problems….

If you decide to get a puppy, please use one of the breeders who are members of the breed club. A well-bred pet puppy may not be a candidate for the show ring (that nose being 1/8th of an inch to long or something else very picky) but they will be very healthy, the parents carefully screened for hereditary health problems, and from a breeder who has devoted a great deal of time to understanding the breed and bloodlines. A responsible breeder will have a written contract with a health guarantee for hereditary problems; require that if for any reason you ever have to give up the dog that it comes back to them; and always be available for help, assistance and advice about your dog. Such a breeder will tell you if they don't think their breed is right for you based upon your needs. They want a perfect forever home for the puppies - not the money. (In 43 years in the dog show world, I have never known a breeder of that caliber who has made a profit on their dogs - it is labor of love.)

A puppy from such a breeder costs no more - and often less as poorly bred dogs tend to have very high vet bills over the years - than from a backyard breeder who doesn't do the health checks, knows nothing about the breed or bloodlines, doesn't give a guarantee, never wants to hear about the puppy again and has breed from mediocre or poor quality dogs.

You may find the breeder who has the type of dog you want but no litter on the ground at the moment. Most good breeders have waiting lists -get on it. You may find the breeder and puppy you want but at a distance. Among the really responsible breeders(members of the club) shipping a puppy is quite normal -they want the best possible home for the dog and the written contract is very extensive.

Do ask the breeders on the club list if they have any dogs they bred that they need to rehome - good breeders all require if the owner can't keep one, it comes back to them. It may be a dog they placed and it came back because the owner didn't have time, didn't realize how big it would get, got divorced…. It may be a dog who was a show prospect but as they grew didn't meet their early promise. It may be an AKC Champion they decided not to use in their breeding program because while it did get the Championship, they don't need more bloodstock or find a tiny conformation flaw they don't want to reproduce.

NEVER EVER buy from a pet shop. Those puppies came from puppy mills where the parents are locked in cages, bred until they literally die from it, never vaccinated, never wormed, fed just enough so they don't quite die of starvation, live in filth, never bathed or groomed or cared for, are typically of very poor genetic stock both physically and often mentally. The puppies are shoved off to pet stores with no vaccinations, no worming, no socialization or handling… You are buying nothing but heartbreak at a price higher than what a responsible breeder charged for a pet puppy.

IF A SERIOUS BREEDER OR RESCUE TELLS YOU THAT THE BREED IS NOT SUITED FOR YOUR SITUATION - BELIEVE THEM - NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU LIKE THE WAY THE DOG LOOKS
References :
43 years training showing handling and teaching performance - all breeds

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