Electric fences only work on short haired dogs, electric or invisible. Warning: Parasites (ticks, fleas) prefer the type of hair of the Husky and can infest their coats easily. While many Siberian Huskies end up abandoned in shelters, it is also true that there are many happy owners that cannot get enough of them. H C Palting from East Coast on April 27, 2012: Very useful article with great issues to be thought of before getting huskies. They were so wrong. And toys and bully sticks for him to chew. Adrienne Farricelli (author) on May 08, 2016: Right now im 12 and I desperately want a husky. Designed to work outside in temperatures as … He's the most gentle dog with other medium to large sized dogs and will drink water or eat out of the same bowl with them at the same time. If you think a Siberian Husky looks intimidating enough to make a loyal guardian; think again. They never coexist with small animals such as rabbits, ferrets and birds, because it will always perceive them as prey. My dog was always having seperation anxiety when I had to leave him alone, until we happened to move in with my dad who had 2 other dogs. The same applies to walking your Husky off leash; never trust his recall, the risks of him escaping are very high. Although they can be trained off leash it will still be a risk. If outside and not on a leash, it will most likely run after it. For the past 80 years, Husky has built lasting relationships with over 500 Retailers across Canada. It is almost impossible to resist the alluring appeal of Siberian Huskies. Not many people would want to put in the hard physical labor to do this, and it's expensive to hire someone to do it for you. hey ,i was wondering if a husky doesn't mind being alone for 2 maybe 3 hours ? Also understand that a husky loves to dig holes. This means that they require consistent rules and strict guidance. Owning A Husky is an informational hub for everything you could every want to know about our favorite dog, the Siberian Husky! James Kenny from Birmingham, England on March 28, 2012: Interesting hub, I've noticed that Siberian Huskies are becoming more and more popular as pets in Britain at least. I think that they think the concrete goes on forever because their scratching does nothing. Indeed, according to Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue Inc, the Husky's thick fur may interfere with the proper functioning of electronic fences, not to mention the fact that for some Huskies the desire to explore the world may be much stronger than the temporary discomfort caused by trespassing the invisible fence! Adrienne Farricelli (author) on April 30, 2015: It really depends. Before getting my Rottweilers we were planning on getting two huskies from a rescue, but when we heard that our fence wasn't tall enough and had to build it all over again only to make it higher, we got discouraged! This is reflected in their behavior; it is kind and playful with everyone. Wonderful Hub! In most cases, you will pay … Properly supervised and stimulated, one of the best breeds I have owned. Also, send them to a good doggie daycare every so often to blow off steam. You can freshen the coat of your husky between baths by diluting mint mouthwash with water by 50% and putting it in a spritz bottle. Also, they will say sometimes that the husky needs to be the only dog in the home because they were aggressive towards a dog in the past, but actually the real story is probably that they hurt a very small dog. In hot weather, the Siberian Husky tends to eat less. The breed's stamina, extreme intelligence and independent nature makes the perfect recipe for a stubborn dog. Voted up! We take him on daily walks, minimal time of 30 minutes, and on the weekends up to an hour walks. Sounds like your childhood dream will soon come true. First-year expenses are around $3,575 and will be about $1,505/year (or $125/month) after that. They look for anything to climb on top of, to leap over, if they can't dig out. It really doesn’t. Adrienne Farricelli (author) on December 09, 2017: Yes, why not? Looks odd, but works. Be a Husky Retailer. Huskies are by nature very clean which is a big pro for those who want a breed that does not stink like dog. Oh and by the way, another way to husky proof a fence line is to build a concrete lip all around your fence line, and to add a "lean in" on the fence, which is what you see on the industrial fences but they lean out. Keep them on a flea and tick preventative. Sleeping on the bed, it depends as well. If you are creative, put the clumps of hair to use by spinning some yard and making neat garments! It is unfortunate that many Huskies end up as strays, are abandoned in shelters, or in worst cases are abandoned or mistreated. Indeed, it is not unusual for this breed to occasionally pass up on eating a meal every now and then. They are food driven and you can use this to your advantage to train your husky. Not all huskies dig but most do. The American Kennel Club claims "Predatory instincts are strong, so Siberians should be supervised around small animals in and around the home". The intelligence of a Siberian Husky is something that you can never underestimate. Owning a husky as a pet is a fine choice! A husky will not follow a crazed maniac. Even when there are negative aspects of owning a husky for many people, these are just other positive reasons to have them. We use Pro Plan EN here at our kennels. Lovely breed, but it''s important to know in advance what challenges you might encounter. Left alone for long periods, it tends to howl (like a wolf) rather than bark. Can't wait :) thankyou for informing us on all the pros and cons ;). Owning a husky is unlike owning many other breeds, huskies are a free spirited dog, we will explain what this means a bit later on. Here are a few pros and cons of owning a husky. They are loyal and good-natured dogs who have a genuine love for life, and lots of people want them as pets. However, Huskies can also be stubborn and quite difficult to train, so you must be up to the task. A tired Husky is a good husky; fail to provide enough mental stimulation and exercise and idle time will be the devil's playground. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Advantages and disadvantages of owning Siberian Huskies. I have owned 7 huskies. And is it okay if a husky is sleeping with me on my bed ? 10 Facts about siberian huskies. Its predatory instinct, however, pushes it to pursue cats that have not been raised with them. I wanted to reply to your comment below where you had considered getting huskies and were discouraged by someone telling you that you needed to build your fence higher. A Siberian Husky puppy is likely to cost between $400-$1,200 with the average price being $650. Here are some need to know information that will help you to decide if a husky is the right pet for you. 10 dog facts. Adrienne Farricelli (author) on April 25, 2012: Thank you, I never had the pleasure to own a Siberian Husky, but I have trained a few! We have wonderful trails by us. While its looks and size may discourage many people, should a burglar care less, expect your Husky to greet him enthusiastically and even accompany him for a tour of the house! This breed's striking coat, erect ears and brush tail cause a wolfish appearance that many people find attractive. We work our huskies every day. However, if you are really enamored of the breed and dedicated as many Husky owners are, you will find yourself very forgiving because this breed gives you so much back with their endearing behaviors and good-natured temperament. You can take steps though to prevent separation anxiety or destruction from boredom. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train a Siberian husky. My parents had a Jindo in the past which is also a primitive dog breed (from Korea though) and she would do the same patrolling the fence line behavior. I've been researching it again since I'm at a new house and think I want to build one again. It is important that you keep your backyard well-fenced. Do huskies do well in doggy daycare as a substitute for being alone while their humans are away during the 8 hr work day? The ideal owner is an active person who enjoys the great outdoors. I voted up. The glacial blue eyes further add to the appeal, however, some Huskies may also have brown eyes or bi-color eyes. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience. A few wks ago, my husband by accident left the backyard door open (only time ever), and him and one of his brothers took off on a jog, I saw him running by the bedroom window! They hate heat. Get two. If you want a dog breed that is not always in your space, a Siberian Husky may be appreciated. It's so accurate and presents all the pro's and con's. I've always heard huskies are escape artist. I truly believe that dogs bond tightly with their owners regardless of breed, especially when the owners are a source for great happenings and lots of love! Huskies, malamutes … Vitamins are essential to keep your husky healthy and happy. When I've seen these dogs in person, they were very approachable and friendly. All dogs are prone to separation anxiety and some breeds more than others. (There are exceptions to this, but I tend to think that's a better general rule: be super cautious with a husky around small pets and keep them seperated) But huskies suffer terribly when they are left alone without another dog or 2 or 3. People who aren’t prepared to exercise … I love your article about Siberian Huskies. There is not a one size fits all amount of food to feed your husky. This breed strives on positive reinforcement training and they may require new challenges to stay focused on training. Siberian Husky: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog (Comprehensive Owner's Guide) [Winslette, Lorna] on Amazon.com. My boyfriend and I are in love with the breed and have been doing research to make sure we give our pup the best life once we get one in the near future, but I want to make sure having the husky pup go to doggy daycare M-F would be a good thing for him/her. I also loved the photos. And walk them every day. Siberian Huskies are not a breed for everyone; they require experience, knowledge and a deep understanding of the breed. While a Husky may be a great addition in the eyes of an active person, the opposite is true if you are a couch potato or fail to provide sufficient exercise and mental stimulation. My familey recently got our first husky. The AKC calls Siberian Huskies ´born pack dogs,´ meaning that they were … Siberian husky care isn’t necessarily easy and lots of people suffer from husky allergies as well — but the rewards these pups can offer usually more than makes up for any pitfalls. Running is vital and a simple walk around the block will not be suffice for some huskies. Feed your Huskies sardines half a can per day. Although it is intelligent and understands orders, it does not like obeying blindly. Mushers have minimal contact with their Huskies during inclement weather and the breed seems to do just fine as long and they are with their pack, unlike other breeds bred to work in close contact with their masters, explain Nancy Baer and Steve Dunno in the book "Choosing a Dog". We have a backyard with an 8 ft fence, very sturdy, so that's never been a problem. We usually recommend starting our 8 week old husky puppies with about a cup 2 times per day. • Because many children are allergic to dog hair and dander, prospective Husky owners should get their kids allergy tested before bringing home this shedding breed. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Huskies sound like real nice dogs. The Siberian Husky is agile, athletic, sporty, and loves to jump everywhere. While this sound may be music to the ears of a Siberian lover, neighbors have been known to feel otherwise. They are such a unique and extremely special breed and seeing this article on pros and cons makes them that even more special! Some dogs I would not allow this privilege, (dogs that growl when you move, refuse to get off when asked or don't want a spouse to sleep in bed) but with behaved dogs it shouldn't be a problem if that makes you happy. Consult with a breeder for the most appropriate diet. Very interesting and informative. It was like magic for him. Finally, you can avoid some negative traits by training your Siberian Husky to respect you and by following the 11-step care program in my book, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy. If you scream and yell at your husky it will see you as unstable and become fearful of you. Endless energy. The following are Siberian Husky traits that draw people to this beautiful breed. Great with small children. Huskies are the best dogs ever!! Adrienne Farricelli (author) on November 01, 2014: I am happy to hear your new Siberian Husky is the perfect match, that's awesome! The Siberian Husky is a little eater for its size. Their wolf-like appearance combined with their beautiful glacial-blue eyes and joyful demeanor causes love at first sight. See how being trusting cost the life of a Husky: Trust: a Deadly Disease. it's funny to see the husky and the two other dogs at the bowl at the same time, with never any growling or weirdness. I am a mother of two young children and my fiancé has finally said once we buy our own house next year we will then get a husky pup! Some do while others don’t. They chase down treats to get exercise. 1. Have a kiddie pool for them and throw ice in it as a treat. They are pack animals after all! Huskies are also very playful and agile beings with lots of stamina. Despite being independent and free-spirited, this breed is very gregarious and has a strong pack drive. Building a kennel is the obvious better choice, but only if it's really secure otherwise you wasted your time or money. I'm seriously considering owning dog, and from what I know I would really like a red female Siberian Husky, but I don't know much. Cost varies but we spend about 100 dollars a year for each dog. Thus, it needs an authoritarian master who knows how to impose himself as the leader of the pack. The Siberian Husky is friendly to everyone, both strangers and other dogs. They are so persistent when they want to do something, they will even patrol the perimeter of a yard and study the fence, looking for weaknesses, which reminds me of the velociraptors in Jurassic park. When it comes to owning a husky, you should think carefully about whether you’ll be able to provide the best environment for this beautiful dog. They like to work and feel useful; if it is possible, make them pull a bike or skateboard with you as the passenger once they are 15 months or older but not before. We take him to doggie daycare if we'll be longer than 9 hours. I did this on top of the ground, didn't have to bury the concrete. The Siberian Husky has a very high prey-drive which means when it sees a small mammal it may well identify it as prey. The irony is that a husky will easily and instinctively dig under any fence, no matter how tall it is. The amount of food you should feed a Siberian Husky depends on its weight, age, health, and level of physical activity. In addition, its coat has a self-cleaning ability. Voted up and shared. The American Kennel Club describes the breed as equipped with an agreeable and outgoing temperament. Would this affect the way the dog behaves with us at home after being with different people/being trained by different people during the day? But I don't know if it's because we got our little guy, Sabastian, at 7 weeks, or because we have 3 other dogs, and he feels we're his "pack". I can put my two dogs up from fur only get 3 hairs. Thank you . I recalled when several years ago I was considering adopting a Husky but the rescue group had very distinct requirements when it came to fencing. Loves to run (they make great jogging companions). The training of the Siberian Husky can be a challenge because it is independent by nature. If you kennel your Husky for long periods of time it may develop "kennel fever" which may cause lack of appetite, diarrhea and a restless state of mind, according to Nancy Baer and Steve Duno. Spray your husky and towel dry. If hair is a bad turn off then this may not be the breed for you. Add to that, the many amazing movies featuring this breed such as Snow Buddies, Eight Below and Snow Dogs, and you have the perfect concoction for an attractive breed. You could stuff a pillow everytime they blow their coat. This was so useful and informative on the breed. When our owners and operators are set up for success, our customers are happier and our business grows. I'm posting in r/askvet for financial advice. Are you active enough? You have to go to absurd lengths to husky proof a fence, which usually means digging all below the length of the fence and laying down cattle wire or something, and having it lip up towards the outside and then tie it on with something strong that they can't chew through. The training must be firm, but soft, and must absolutely be done at a young age for the best outcomes. They love to runaway due to their natural tendency to always be on the move. While a Husky may require less food intake per pound when compared to another breed, it is important to recognize that they still need a balanced diet rich in protein and fat. Adrienne Farricelli (author) on March 07, 2017: Hello Susan, thanks for all the great tips! I'm not entirely sure that the people buying them, know what they're dealing with, so I really appreciate you sharing this information. To achieve this, we've created unique models to help you run your businesses effectively and profitably. They look like a majestic wolf with beautiful glacial blue eyes that will melt the hearts of people passing by who will see them. One of my clients owns a Siberian Husky and she nicknamed him "Houdini" because he has escaped numerous times. Owning a husky is unlike owning many other breeds, huskies are a free spirited dog, we will explain what this means a bit later on. Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on June 18, 2015: Great hub Alexa about Siberian huskies. List of the Cons of Owning a Siberian Husky 1. To give this lively breed a purpose in life, it is great to put them to work by investing into carts and sleds to pull. They are chock full of energy and never seem to shut their mouths. Tried cattle panel, dug it up and trashed my lawnmower. I was wondering what kind of behavior I would be expecting? But ours never tries or wants to escape! Adrienne is a certified dog trainer, behavior consultant, former veterinarian assistant, and author of Brain Training for Dogs. All dogs need exercise, but sled dogs are super active. Adlynn’s Husky Puppies Are A Week Old 11-18-15, Kennel Cough Symptoms and How to Treat It, Friendly and sociable with everyone (strangers, other dogs), Needs a lot of physical activity and mental stimulation every day, Destructive behavior if left alone too often or not exercised enough, Independent and stubborn, absolutely needs an early education. Wow, this is an extremity helpful write up on huskies.. They must always be secured on a leash, for if anything catches his attention, they will run after it. Owning a Husky 101 This website covers everything you would want to know about owning a husky. If unsure, better err on the safe side and keep small animals safe and out of reach from this breed. He integrated with them and now he sleeps on the couch with them while I am gone. For dog lovers, the Siberian husky is considered to be one of the most beautiful and best breed of dog. I am obsessed with wolves so when I get one I'm gonna name him Wolf. The Siberian Husky Does Not Like to be Left Alone. If you leave the Husky alone for … Some say this predatory drive stems from the ancient habit of mushers letting the huskies run free and hunt. However, no black and white rules can be made. We also have a doggie door and a large house, so he runs around, in and out, and he of course, gets a LOT of play time with the others in the "pack". It's a fascinating and history rich breed that really deserves for the owner to research and try to simulate a working dog lifestyle for them, such as by taking them running with urban mushing (bikejoring or scootering as the dog pulls). Energetic, this breed is endowed with great endurance and has a vital need to run. Meticulous housekeepers may not be happy owning a Siberian. Owning a husky? This will leave your husky’s coat fresh smelling and clean. The Siberian Husky and humans share a special bond and the breed absolutely loves the company of humans. Huskies thrive on consistency (more on that later), so your first training step … I thoroughly enjoyed your article and have found it dead accurate. As natural outdoor dogs, you will want to have a large home for them with plenty of space for moving around and exploring. This is reflected in their behavior; it is kind and playful with everyone. It enjoys vigorous outdoor exercise, especially in cold climates. I grew up with one, and she was a wonderful, shockingly smart pup... she even figured out how to unlock her crate from the inside... which, as you can imagine, made for some interesting car rides to the vet. I would love a husky,I have a family dog whos a border collie she is quite timid but what I would really want is a husky I don't have a big fence or a big house (im 13) but I was considering getting a husky puppy, I walk a husky but hes laid back and doesn't act like a husky so I don't know if I should risk it...... Adrienne Farricelli (author) on March 03, 2014: Good luck on choosing your pup! A dog will not follow an unstable leader. I love the ROOOOOOOOOOO. In summer, it tends to dig a lot in the soil to look for cool dirt. Warning: If it does not move enough and if it is not stimulated enough mentally, the Siberian Husky can become extremely destructive. Adrienne Farricelli (author) on April 27, 2012: thank you, I love this breed and I think the pros and cons of huskies is what makes them extra special to own. Also males with female in heat is nuts week 3. This isn’t your Lab or German Shepherd. The Siberian Husky blows it’s coat abundantly twice a year; it changes its fur completely, which can last beyond three weeks. If you are a well-adjusted, assertive, happy and active person with a good family situation you may be a perfect Siberian husky owner. Huskies are highly energetic working dogs, meaning they need a lot of exercise and activity to be happy. They are indeed overly friendly with just about anyone. :). We take him on runs here and there, but it's not consist. The Husky is not a dog that’s recommended to share the same house as a cat because of this. Our Dakota's just what we needed. If you do not mind having a yard resembling Mars, then you may care less about your Husky's digging habits. I know some owners who must crate or kennel their huskies for their brief absences as their dogs may get in trouble but I also know of some owners who can leave them no problem, so it's not a bad idea to introduce a crate from an early age. Stops them cold. zip-line with a Petzel double pulley roller to a chain to a locking carabiner then to the harness or collar. They will wear each other out. It isn’t recommended that first-time dog owners get a Husky, due to their stubbornness. The thick fur of the Siberian Husky must be brushed twice a week. Top 10 Husky Facts. Voted up and awesome. Everything is theirs. A dog that fears you will not take orders from you. Huskies generally don't do well with small pets, whether dog or cat, which they react to as if it's a rabbit. So don't quote me on this, but I believe the "escape artist" will be gone if he feels he has his pack and a true home. Some times it’s digging up grub worms to eat while other times it’s just a fun activity. A few baths a year is enough. Huskies are often way too smart for their own good. Learn how some volunteers spin their Husky's yarn (Siberwool) for the purpose of fundraising for their favorite breed. 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Recommended that first-time dog owners who have a large home for them by them... A backyard with an agreeable and outgoing temperament, why not leap over if... Not unusual for this breed at times staring blankly at you as if they never coexist with small animals at! Jump everywhere committing to owning a Husky animals such as rabbits, ferrets and birds, because is! To the harness or collar a strong pack drive being trusting cost the life a. Faint of heart instinct, however, huskies can also be stubborn and quite difficult to train a Siberian tends! Some times it ’ s digging up grub worms to eat less exercise during. Of a Siberian lover, neighbors have been known to feel otherwise become destructive reports of many dog owners have. A stubborn dog intelligence of a Husky carabiner then to the appeal, however, responsible dog ownership much...