Any experts on huskies or other related breeds here?

[huskylover24]

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I really want to get a Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute and want to know some tips. I have done some research on the breed but just want an expert's opinion who has owned them before.

Is it best to have 2 huskies or 2 malamutes to keep themselves entertained or 1 of each good?

 

[goldenbear2013]

I have never owned the breed, but my advice would be to get in touch with some breeders, either via email (you can find them on the Kennel Club website) or even go to Crufts at the beginning of March.

The breeders will be there with the dogs, so you can see their size and talk to the breeder face to face and for as long as you want. They will give you very honest advice which will invaluable to you, as they are both large breeds and a decision on which one and how many to get is vital.

You need to know what you're getting into. Both breeds are amazing but are also alot of work (my neighbour has 2 huskies).

if you get 2 of the same breed the only thing I would say about that is to get the pups from different litters. Do not have siblings. Any decent breeder wouldnt sell you siblings anyway as they bond with each other and not their owner.

Good luck!

Sophie x

 

[huskylover24]

Thanks Sophie. Yeah I've seen a husky association so I may give them a message too. I agree with not getting siblings, my dad has 2 black german shepards, a brother and sister and I think its the sister who play fights with the brother. If I get same breed and 2 of them I get separate breeder but then will have to decide on gender and if I want puppies, if I decide not to breed them then i'll definetly get them the snip. My white lab was a nuisance to my mum and she couldn't take her out as he was too much but getting him neutered made a difference and can walk him now when I work evenings

 

[gypsysmum]

Never get two bitches of the same breed. The best mix to ensure compatibility are a dog and a bitch of different sizes. If you must have two of the same breed then get a dog and a bitch but get them at different ages.

Huskies and other sled dogs have very strong hunting instincts. They were dual purpose breeds used for pulling sleds and for hunting. They need loads of exercise and will be very unhappy if they do not get it.

Walk away from a breeder who wants to sell you two puppies, even if they are from different litters. I would just get one dog and see how you get on with that before you commit to another one.

 

[eingana]

I would get one, get them through the puppy stages and through all of the basic training, toilet training etc, and then get another if you plan on having more than one dog. This way you'd be sure that your first dog will bond with you and then your first dog will be an example for your second dog when it comes to all sorts of training. Toilet training 2 puppies at the same time can be a rather stressful experience, or so I'm told by friends who have had 2 puppies at the same time.

I've also taken into rescue one bitch from two-bitch households on a pretty regular basis, usually after one has gone into season and tried very hard to shred the other, so if you're going to have more than one bitch you need to be EXTREMELY careful and good at managing their behaviours, including neutering all of them and micro-managing them when they have issues with each other.

As for whether you get huskies or malamutes at all, can I suggest that you talk to some good breeders and then start making a list of all of the ways that you need to improve your home to make it husky proof? Huskies are well known for being escapologists and when they get out they can run for huge distances so fences aren't really any good for your garden, for a start. They are renowned diggers, so you will at least need some proper footings and a wall at the bottom, with the total wall/fence height topping 6 feet, but they may even be able to jump that.

Do you have neighbours? Are they going to be OK with the howling?

Do you plan on leaving your dogs at all? Huskies aren't well known for coping with boredom.

Are you up to walking as much as working dogs that are bred to pull a sled for hours a day but who can't come off a lead will need you to walk?

Huskies aren't dogs for the faint of heart, which is why you'll find an awful lot of them in rescue. Please be sure before you take that decision.

 

[gypsysmum]

Just a word of warning on asking breeders about their particular breed. They all think their breed is amazing! I would, perhaps, talk to a specialist rescue for Huskies. They will be much more honest about the negative aspects of owning a Husky type dog.