Siberian husky as a family dog?
- Thread starter 91runner
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bobcat charlie
Adventurer
Husky Lambchopaphobia?
One other thing, our Husky, Little Dog, had 'lambchopaphobia'. Any time my wife prepared a lamb dish the Husky would hide under the bed and wouldn't come out until the lamb odor was gone!
One other thing, our Husky, Little Dog, had 'lambchopaphobia'. Any time my wife prepared a lamb dish the Husky would hide under the bed and wouldn't come out until the lamb odor was gone!
SunTzuNephew
Explorer
ROFLMAO! I wish ours was adverse to some (any) foods...She snuck some asparagus off my dinner plate last night...
skysix
Adventurer
If your heart is set on some huskies....seriously check out your local area animal pounds. Many people get huskies as puppies because they are cute without researching the breed and once they find out what escape artists sibbies are and how much work they take they dump them.....there are literally thousands in pounds across the US. There are also sibbie rescues in just about every state......check it out.... a dog that is rescued is unlike any dog you will ever own....I have 3. Okay end of my PSA:wings:
scarysharkface
Explorer
There is (or at least was a few years ago) a pretty good-sized Husky and Malamute rescue in Delta, Ohio...
John
KMW
New member
My family has had a couple of Huskies and a number of Malamutes. A lot of people think because of their "wolf like" appearance that they are fearsome guard dogs. Our experience has been that they are protective but loving dogs, and with the right personality are great with kids. They tend to be far more interested in play and pulling things than playing sentry.
I love hearing everyone's Husky "escape artist" stories, brings back great memories; we had a neighbor whose Husky was always breaking out to come visit my grandfather's Malamute ("Big Wicked Bill").
I love hearing everyone's Husky "escape artist" stories, brings back great memories; we had a neighbor whose Husky was always breaking out to come visit my grandfather's Malamute ("Big Wicked Bill").
Otto Von Squiggy
Adventurer
my good friend had one for many years. 3 years after its death we were still finding hair in all sorts of places. THEY SHED ALOT!!
motochain
Wanderer
Crazy! That's pretty uncharacteristic to see 4 coyotes together, usually they're pretty solitary.
We got two siberians last october (sisters) they're about 8 months old now, love them! They keep eachother company when we're not around, haven't destroyed anything yet, and have been tons of fun.
I think any dog can be trained to behave around little children, but I'd never leave a dog alone with one.
I had my Alaskan Malamute for just over 12 with 10 of those years in North Alabama. Their coat protects them from the heat just as it does from the cold.
You've already heard the comments about working them, they love it!
Sibes and Malamutes are very intelligent animals, they will need to know where they fit in the family hierarchy. Your four year old may be able to dominate him, my daughter was able to at four, but not the 6 month old, obviously. Therefore, I would never leave the dog with the younger ever and not the older until I knew the god a little better.
Meet the dog and go with your gut - with your kids safety in mind.
Good luck.
Al
You've already heard the comments about working them, they love it!
Sibes and Malamutes are very intelligent animals, they will need to know where they fit in the family hierarchy. Your four year old may be able to dominate him, my daughter was able to at four, but not the 6 month old, obviously. Therefore, I would never leave the dog with the younger ever and not the older until I knew the god a little better.
Meet the dog and go with your gut - with your kids safety in mind.
Good luck.
Al
dlbrunner
Adventurer
Having Siberians (2) for close to 14 years, I am on the fence.
Siberians take a LOT of work, but if they get it they can be really good around kids.
My trepadation comes due to the fact that they take so muck work, that they might cut into your time with the kids. At some point, and it may seem trivial, but a choice will have to be made between the Kids and the Dog, in my mind that is really unfair. Some may be able to pull it off though.
Siberians must be kept on a leash or restrained AT ALL TIMES. I have a lot of off leash experience with Sibes, and it will send you to a cardiologist before you can say "Double Coat"
My male had no fear, horses, deer, antelope, he would chase....My female doesnt seem to be afraid of anything either....
I raised the male from a pup, never "altered" him. I exposed him to children early on, and he was never domineering or agressive, in fact he really liked kids, if we were camping, he always followed the kids around before the adults. He never jumped on them, he would let them pull his ears, poke his face anything.
The Female is a different story. I got her at 3yrs and was shy and probably been beat pretty bad, she has a "Zone" of where you can touch her before she starts "purring" That has turned into a snap with me on a couple occasions, so I keep a VERY close eye on her when she meets new people.
Keep in mind- Kids have 0 common sense. seriously. I don't care if you are a parent or a random, if you tell a kid not to do something, THEY WILL EVENTUALLY DO IT most likely when you are not looking.
I told my girlfriends children (6 &7) when they first met Nikki in a very nice way not to grab the dogs tail. They agreed, and told them the dog does not like it. They go along and play fine, and just when they think I am not looking, I hear a growl. What do I see? Kid pulling tail. This is not the first set of kids I have seen do this.
Both the Dog and Kid will test you, balancing that to make a safe home is not always easy.
It is not only the dog that needs boundries, the CHILDREN do too.
If you are thinking about taking on a dog, you need to evaluate far more than the dog or breed.
You need to look at yourself: Am I prepared to take on a 10-15 or more year responsibility?
Do I have the time to train the dog AND family to live in harmony? Does the family understand the commitment as well?
And honestly: Does my child demonstrate responsible, kind behavior? Some kids may not be dog compatible. There are mean kids out there that given a chance WILL torture animals. Sure it may be a phase, but an uncomfortable one for the dog. Some kids are really scared of dogs, for no apparant reason, and may react in fear. I was scared of dogs for a long time...
Do I have a property that can manage a sibeerian? I would reccomment at LEAST 3000 sq feet for them to do laps in.
Do you have a secured acre or 2 nearby (dogpark) where you can take them 4-5 times a week for an hour to burn off steam?
My male could run 15 miles behind the truck multiple days in a row........Taking a siberian for a walk around the block will not cut it, they need to be RAN and HARD.
my 0.02
Siberians take a LOT of work, but if they get it they can be really good around kids.
My trepadation comes due to the fact that they take so muck work, that they might cut into your time with the kids. At some point, and it may seem trivial, but a choice will have to be made between the Kids and the Dog, in my mind that is really unfair. Some may be able to pull it off though.
Siberians must be kept on a leash or restrained AT ALL TIMES. I have a lot of off leash experience with Sibes, and it will send you to a cardiologist before you can say "Double Coat"
My male had no fear, horses, deer, antelope, he would chase....My female doesnt seem to be afraid of anything either....
I raised the male from a pup, never "altered" him. I exposed him to children early on, and he was never domineering or agressive, in fact he really liked kids, if we were camping, he always followed the kids around before the adults. He never jumped on them, he would let them pull his ears, poke his face anything.
The Female is a different story. I got her at 3yrs and was shy and probably been beat pretty bad, she has a "Zone" of where you can touch her before she starts "purring" That has turned into a snap with me on a couple occasions, so I keep a VERY close eye on her when she meets new people.
Keep in mind- Kids have 0 common sense. seriously. I don't care if you are a parent or a random, if you tell a kid not to do something, THEY WILL EVENTUALLY DO IT most likely when you are not looking.
I told my girlfriends children (6 &7) when they first met Nikki in a very nice way not to grab the dogs tail. They agreed, and told them the dog does not like it. They go along and play fine, and just when they think I am not looking, I hear a growl. What do I see? Kid pulling tail. This is not the first set of kids I have seen do this.
Both the Dog and Kid will test you, balancing that to make a safe home is not always easy.
It is not only the dog that needs boundries, the CHILDREN do too.
If you are thinking about taking on a dog, you need to evaluate far more than the dog or breed.
You need to look at yourself: Am I prepared to take on a 10-15 or more year responsibility?
Do I have the time to train the dog AND family to live in harmony? Does the family understand the commitment as well?
And honestly: Does my child demonstrate responsible, kind behavior? Some kids may not be dog compatible. There are mean kids out there that given a chance WILL torture animals. Sure it may be a phase, but an uncomfortable one for the dog. Some kids are really scared of dogs, for no apparant reason, and may react in fear. I was scared of dogs for a long time...
Do I have a property that can manage a sibeerian? I would reccomment at LEAST 3000 sq feet for them to do laps in.
Do you have a secured acre or 2 nearby (dogpark) where you can take them 4-5 times a week for an hour to burn off steam?
My male could run 15 miles behind the truck multiple days in a row........Taking a siberian for a walk around the block will not cut it, they need to be RAN and HARD.
my 0.02
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
I've been wanting to get a "real dog" (I have a poodle) for a long time now. I'd love a full size, rugged looking dog, that would like to be outside, and would be protective of my family. I've like german shepards for obvious reasons, but I've also liked huskies. Mainly because they like to pull, and I'd love to try skijoring. But this thread made me read up on malamutes a bit, and think that would be an interesting option too. Seems they don't run as fast, but like to pull greater loads than a husky? Sure would be nice to go for hikes and have a dog pull a wagon with kids in it. Or help with portaging! 
My main concern is always "keeping" a dog like that. I have a 14,000 square foot lot. Seems plenty big to leave them outside. But I don't know the reality of keeping dogs outside. Nobody I've known does it. And I always think about the crazy neglected mutt chained in a backyard on the wrong part of town... could an invisidble fence restrain a dog like that? I'm not allowed fences.
My main concern is always "keeping" a dog like that. I have a 14,000 square foot lot. Seems plenty big to leave them outside. But I don't know the reality of keeping dogs outside. Nobody I've known does it. And I always think about the crazy neglected mutt chained in a backyard on the wrong part of town... could an invisidble fence restrain a dog like that? I'm not allowed fences.
I gotta say thank you for all the escape stories. Definately recalled some memories and gave me a good laugh.
I had a Shepherd/Husky and he definately had the Husky "love to roam" in him.
I will never forget one night when I was in junior high. I came home and he was gone... I walked around for 4+ hours, refusing to come in until I found him.
All I remember is how black it was outside, and I just heard this clanking noise from his collar, and next these white eyes. Best sight ever!!
That dog was my best buddy, and I miss him more than anything. At this point I cant even decide if I would ever get another one, because of how close I was with him...
anyways, sob story over. Get the dog, if you have the ability to take care of them you wont regret it.
I had a Shepherd/Husky and he definately had the Husky "love to roam" in him.
I will never forget one night when I was in junior high. I came home and he was gone... I walked around for 4+ hours, refusing to come in until I found him.
All I remember is how black it was outside, and I just heard this clanking noise from his collar, and next these white eyes. Best sight ever!!
That dog was my best buddy, and I miss him more than anything. At this point I cant even decide if I would ever get another one, because of how close I was with him...
anyways, sob story over. Get the dog, if you have the ability to take care of them you wont regret it.
dlbrunner
Adventurer
Invisible fence will not restrain a husky/mal. They will run through the pain till they are out of range.
most reccomendations for husky enclosures are 6' tall minimum and 18" buried. Even then there are "athletic" guys that get out.
To all- Why are a LOT of mutt dogs "Part Husky" you guessed it...The males like to take them selves out for "Walks".
SunTzuNephew
Explorer
Yes. Huskies have the reputation for being very stoic and insensitive to pain (seeing mine sleeping on ice at -30 makes me believe it). They also like to jump and dig so fences need to be built with that in mind.
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
Ok, tie out?
I'll always regret not picking up this dog we saw at the pound one day. It was some kinda mutt, but basically looked EXACTLY like a miniaturized GSD. He was 1 year old, and 30 pounds. Seemed like a great temperment, liked kids. Nice looking dog, well behaved, but not too big.
It really saddens me that my current dog hates my son. Well, maybe not hate, but completely ignores him. Jealous.
I'll always regret not picking up this dog we saw at the pound one day. It was some kinda mutt, but basically looked EXACTLY like a miniaturized GSD. He was 1 year old, and 30 pounds. Seemed like a great temperment, liked kids. Nice looking dog, well behaved, but not too big.
It really saddens me that my current dog hates my son. Well, maybe not hate, but completely ignores him. Jealous.
