Teach me about Husky dog ownership
- Thread starter Barn Owl
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There's a group struggling to home them, just like greyhounds Tam.
They'd be delighted if you wanted one.
cheers,
M
p.s. Link
http://www.shwa.org.uk/
They'd be delighted if you wanted one.
cheers,
M
p.s. Link
http://www.shwa.org.uk/
Dreadhead
Bushcrafter through and through
That's an understatement about the excersize as well as the shedding! It makes me sad when I see them local to me and know how small the house is they live in and the paltry hour a day if lucky they're walked. Space to roam is a necessity and taking up long distance running would be beneficial to both dog and owner. That's exactly what I did when I had mine in Canada. Lovely dogs when healthy and looked after, choose a puppy that doesn't think it's alpha male to make your life easier...
I had the idea of a husky when looking for my dog, that was until a I did a little reasearch and spoke to a local owner.
They are a working dog and dont make much of a pet. You need very high fences all around your property as they can leap and escape like no other dog. They are no good off the leed and see other smaller furry animals as simply food. I was also told they are not affectionate in the way you would normaly expect a dog to be. All that and not to mention the massive ammount of miles they need to stay fit and healthy. Certainly a full time job and hobby.
They are a working dog and dont make much of a pet. You need very high fences all around your property as they can leap and escape like no other dog. They are no good off the leed and see other smaller furry animals as simply food. I was also told they are not affectionate in the way you would normaly expect a dog to be. All that and not to mention the massive ammount of miles they need to stay fit and healthy. Certainly a full time job and hobby.
A husky is a real handful. They get big and they are incredibly energetic. Don't get one unless you really know about and have a lot of experience with dogs, and have a lot of time, energy and space for it. You shouldn't really have just one, all dogs are pack animals but huskies more than many others. If you aren't careful it will destroy your home out of sheer frustration. I would never let one in the house (but then I don't let any animals in the house).
There are a lot of truths here but I'd have to disagree about the house wrecking and lack of affection with my particular dog. I can't say what others are like but we had a Siberian husky and a Samoyed. Both lovely dogs but the Samoyed loved the sound of itself whereas the Siberian rarely did more than the odd low howl. They get very protective of the house which can be a good or bad thing depending. If the Siberian decided to do a runner he'd come home two or three days later covered in stinky stagnant water which was always nice. They'd run deer to exhaustion for fun so you had to be real careful, that's why I suggested long distance running if you get one. Snakes and anything small and furry are a quick snack as previously mentioned. There are certainly easier breeds out there but not many as lovely looking in my opinion. I wouldn't own one in the UK myself, if I moved back to Canada it would be a possibility.
Get a farm bred border collie 
hard to beat for good natured energetic enthusiasm and they're clever. Apparantly they'll learn more commands than any other breed. The farmers bred them for biddable work too, so they didn't end up with all the dodgy hips and breathing problems other dogs get. They live to a good healthy old age too.
Growing up our collies were never in the house past the back doorway, (HWMBLT and I disagree on this; he thinks the dog should be part of the family, and I think we're in charge, the dog'll do what it's told. I don't want it on my bed or it's hair floating around my cooking area or in my dinner) but I think nowadays I'd have the dog indoors with us with it's own bedding.
They had kennels and long leashes to roam the gardens and were walked morning noon and night. When we were outside playing the dog played along right beside us too.
As a very little girl on holiday on a farm at Inverary I mind the old sheep dog, who'd been made responsible for looking after the kids, dragging me back out of the bracken by the bow at the back of my frock. That dog missed nothing, we were 'never' lost, never in danger near the burn, and when the adults shouted us in for meals or bedtime the dog herded us back to the house, and it still gave us a warm cuddle to sit down next to when we played outdoors
You've a wee grand-daughter, they'd grow up together
I admit, I'm biased
M
hard to beat for good natured energetic enthusiasm and they're clever. Apparantly they'll learn more commands than any other breed. The farmers bred them for biddable work too, so they didn't end up with all the dodgy hips and breathing problems other dogs get. They live to a good healthy old age too.Growing up our collies were never in the house past the back doorway, (HWMBLT and I disagree on this; he thinks the dog should be part of the family, and I think we're in charge, the dog'll do what it's told. I don't want it on my bed or it's hair floating around my cooking area or in my dinner) but I think nowadays I'd have the dog indoors with us with it's own bedding.
They had kennels and long leashes to roam the gardens and were walked morning noon and night. When we were outside playing the dog played along right beside us too.
As a very little girl on holiday on a farm at Inverary I mind the old sheep dog, who'd been made responsible for looking after the kids, dragging me back out of the bracken by the bow at the back of my frock. That dog missed nothing, we were 'never' lost, never in danger near the burn, and when the adults shouted us in for meals or bedtime the dog herded us back to the house, and it still gave us a warm cuddle to sit down next to when we played outdoors
You've a wee grand-daughter, they'd grow up together
I admit, I'm biased
M
but am used to biddable dogs I can trust off the leash.QUOTE]
Well Tam, you will be lucky to get one that is ok off the lead, they do come back...........eventually! remember, they are only a semi domesticated breed. You will need very high fences and be 'dig proof' at ground level and under and also prone to chewing!
Don't want to put you off mate, but I went down this road a long time ago, did loads of research and spoke to owners etc; and decided they were not for us.
Hope you don't mind me saying, but if you are after a dog, please consider rehoming a rescue, there are so many dogs requiring homes and you would be an ideal candidate
All the best.
Have a look at:
http://www.amwa.org.uk/
For exercising your dog. Super fun. I will be at Buttersteep shortly.
http://www.amwa.org.uk/
For exercising your dog. Super fun. I will be at Buttersteep shortly.
but am used to biddable dogs I can trust off the leash.QUOTE]
Well Tam, you will be lucky to get one that is ok off the lead, they do come back...........eventually! remember, they are only a semi domesticated breed. You will need very high fences and be 'dig proof' at ground level and under and also prone to chewing!
Don't want to put you off mate, but I went down this road a long time ago, did loads of research and spoke to owners etc; and decided they were not for us.
Hope you don't mind me saying, but if you are after a dog, please consider rehoming a rescue, there are so many dogs requiring homes and you would be an ideal candidate
All the best.
Rescue staff! Love ours to bits.
Get a farm bred border collie
Growing up our collies were never in the house past the back doorway, (HWMBLT and I disagree on this; he thinks the dog should be part of the family, and I think we're in charge, the dog'll do what it's told...
I partially agree with you. Growing up we had several dogs for different puroposes; farm dogs for herding and generally helping with the cattle, bird dogs for quail hunting, coon dogs for coon and/or fox hunting the swamps at night. All these stayed outside (the hunting dogs in the dog pens and the working dogs having free run of the farm) Then again we had pets as well; these had at least some house priveledges. Now-a-days I only have pets (well trained and behaved pets mind you) If we generally accept that the main reason for getting a pet is for the companionship then it also follows that it defeats the purpose for them to be outside while we're inside. My dogs now meet BOTH qualifications you mentioned: 1)They are indeed part of the family-- & --2)They know I'm in charge and obey me (after all these same 2 rules apply to my kids also)
