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Original poster

Can you walk a husky off lead in the UK? Husky advice please.

38 replies

Holldstock1 · 01/03/2025 20:12

Hi,

I'd like some advice please about huskies.

My husband and I have had rescue dogs for nearly 25 years. We normally end up having 2 rescue dogs of different types at a time, an older dog with a younger one.

Last November we sadly had to have our beautiful 10 year old GSD X pts (her back legs went). Our other dog who is a male 3 1/2 year old English Springer Spaniel misses her. He's become alot more nervous with some other dogs, cuts his walks short to come home and isnt playful like he was when she was here. He really likes our Ndn's female small Labradoodle (similiar size to him). He has lost alot of his bravado & confidence. We've come to the conclusion he needs another dog.

We went today to the same rescue we got him & our GSD X from. They were really good finding a dog to match with our GSD X.

They thought the only dog they had who would go with our Springer was a Husky. My husband has always wanted a Husky & this female was so beautiful, walked well on a lead, playful, friendly to us although our Springer was frightened. It did improve but we've booked another visit for the 2 dogs to meet to see if its better next time.

If I think they will get on, I'd be happier to think about having her. BUT, we need a dog we can let off lead. Our Springer goes off lead (when appropriate), as have all of our other previous dogs.

I have FSHD & have restricted mobility (my husband & grown up son living at home are the dog walkers). I cant walk far - if its too far or I have to stand Im now unfortunately using a wheelchair. It may seem odd we having dogs in these circumstances, but we are used to walking 2 dogs with a wheelchair. However we have always been able to let our dogs off lead for a run about.

So my question is can you let Huskies go off lead for a run?? Ive only ever seen people walking them on lead. I dont think it would be fair to have one dog off lead & the other permanently on lead.

I also dont know that much about Huskies so would appreciate some information, thoughts about them. I know about the shedding, being quite vocal etc but not much else.

Any dog we get must be a good match for our Springer. I wont take on any dog that would make him unhappy. That wouldnt be fair to either.

Advice please.

OP posts:
umberellaonesie · 01/03/2025 20:20

We had a husky, I wouldn't have another, or recommend them. They are a breed onto their own not like a dog at all really. But I really miss him.
Very needy, I used to shower with the huskys head round the shower curtain. They need a lot of company. Very destructive if left alone.
They need lots of exercise and I never let mine of the lead. Once he started running that was it he just kept going oblivious to cars, other people,dogs. Just kept going.
He was never sad being on lead though, my husband ran with him and we had a scooter he pulled too. But he never tired he would have run miles and miles.

ToBeOrNotToBee · 01/03/2025 20:22

They are not an off lead dog at all.

They will chase prey animals. They have little to no recall. They are high energy and incredibly intelligent.

They do well in active homes. Sports such as canicross and bikejoring suit them well.

I'd look into another breed of dog.

SlaveToAGoldenRetriever · 01/03/2025 20:24

Obviously it depends on the individual dog and their temperament/level of training. The vast majority of huskies that I see are pulling their owners like tractors on the lead. I do meet the occasional one off lead though - DDog loves them for some reason! I wouldn’t say that they’re a suitable breed if you have mobility issues.

Hoppinggreen · 01/03/2025 20:25

I don't have one as I know they wouldn't suit us and vice versa but I have a couple of friends with them.
Thye aren't always the best with other dogs and can be dangerous around smaller animals, off lead they coudl be a danger to cats.
They need a LOT of exercise too, my friends run miles with them.

MrsTerryPratchett · 01/03/2025 20:33

I LOVE huskies and desperately wanted one. All the things I read said regardless of training no husky is 100% reliable off lead.

Sorry.

Original poster
Holldstock1 · 01/03/2025 20:33

Thanks for coming back to me. I really appreciate it. I must say I was thinking of a breed or X we've had before, but Im open to all types of dogs. Although my husband has always wanted a Husky.

I would never have thought about having a Staffie till we got a Staffie X Greyhound a few years ago! So you have to keep an open mind sometimes.

You are just confirming what I was already feeling. I'm going to have a word with my hubby.

Thank you so much for your thoughts & helpful advice.

OP posts:
MaggieMistletoe · 01/03/2025 20:44

My toddler was knocked over by a dog recently while it's useless owner sat on her mobility scooter and bleated ineffectual for it to come back. She was terrified, the dog was taller than her.
Hopefully you always have your husband or son with you so that you have someone physically capable of making sure your off-lead dogs are not having a negative impact on other members of the public, hopefully that is a factor in your decision making.

Dolambslikemintsauce · 01/03/2025 20:48

We have just had ours pts at 11..devastated... Please don't even contemplate letting a rescue husky off lead... They have no loyalty to their humans off lead.. Only the urge to run and keep going..
2 lost from near me years ago. Never found. He had had them from dpuppies... Gone... And you really have no chance of catching up to one! It was a negative of having one tbh. But she was dh's dream ddog. And she was amazing..

MrsPernicious · 01/03/2025 20:48

I'd be suspicious that the shelter was just looking to off load the husky onto the first experienced owner. The situation does not sound very fair on your springer. We've always said a second dog needs to be very similar size or smaller than the current dog.

Anewuser · 01/03/2025 20:52

Please don’t do it.

We all have a dream dog, but you need to think what suits your family.

Every husky I have ever seen off lead, never goes back to its owner.

It will be at the rescue centre for a reason.

I have a son in a wheelchair so we chose a lab. As reliable as you can get. Maybe boring but we love him.

Dolambslikemintsauce · 01/03/2025 20:53

Imo if you haven't owned a husky a rescue one is a very bad idea....

Youbutterbelieve · 01/03/2025 21:05

My brother's husky is an off lead dog. His recall is great. Huskys needs a lot of exercise (average about 25miles a day) they can be very agitated if not exercised sufficiently. My brother and his wife are very active so it suits their lifestyle but they do find it tying having to walk him so much.

Some huskys however are not good off lead - poor recall and can be aggressive with strangers.

NicolaCasanova · 01/03/2025 21:08

I thought it was illegal and know it is not advisable.

Original poster
Holldstock1 · 01/03/2025 21:09

Hi
MaggieMistletoe, I understand completely where you are coming from. Ive had children myself & my boys grew up with dogs from the age of 4. I also dont agree with out of control dogs either esp when there are small children about. But it is a matter of knowing your fog, proper training & being a responsible dog owner. I wish I could walk like I used to. Its very rural where we live & Id go out for hours. Unfortunately as my condition has advanced I havent been able to independantly walk our dogs for 5 years. My husband & son are the dog walkers in our house. For me its very frustrating.

MrsPernicious - I know what you mean although Im not too worried usually re size. Our Springer was with a largish GSD X Golden Retriever & he was fine. But after the way he has been since we lost her I feel another spaniel type would be a better fit.

OP posts:
Dolambslikemintsauce · 01/03/2025 21:09

It isn't illegal. Why would it be?

0psiedasiy · 01/03/2025 21:16

@Holldstock1 love the idea of a staffie x greyhound- can you post a pic? I have an imagine of my brothers old staffie’s (she was lovely and had very short legs) head on some huge legs!

Snoken · 01/03/2025 21:18

In my opinion Huskies aren't pets and I wish people didn't get them to live in built up areas that are too warm for them to be able to properly exercise for a lot of the year. They need their pack, they need to spend their days outside, they need a job.

SpottedDonkey · 01/03/2025 21:20

Huskies are working dogs, like Border Collies. Selectively bred for generations to do a specific job. Brilliant at that job, but the characteristics which enable them to work can make them a complete nightmare if they don’t get the opportunity.

Or, at least, to do an activity which give them an outlet for their energies and drive to work. With working collies, it’s often doggy sports; Obedience, agility, fly ball etc. With huskies it’s more difficult. What do you propose to do to give the dog a job to do? Until you have a realistic answer to that question, getting a husky would be a recipe for disaster.

MrsTerryPratchett · 01/03/2025 21:24

Snoken · 01/03/2025 21:18

In my opinion Huskies aren't pets and I wish people didn't get them to live in built up areas that are too warm for them to be able to properly exercise for a lot of the year. They need their pack, they need to spend their days outside, they need a job.

I spent some time in Northern Canada and they are great dogs there. Outside in the snow, running with skiers and skidoos, guarding the homes from bears in packs.

It's a million miles from Peckham.

LilacPony · 01/03/2025 21:30

“I also dont know that much about Huskies“ - kindly, don’t do it.
As others have said, they’re not pets at all, they’re a lifestyle. They are a dog who was bred to have a purpose and you’ll need to manage that really strong instinct in them.

Makingmusicinmy50s · 01/03/2025 21:39

I know not the point of this thread, but when my mum got a rescue German Shepherd (had shepherds for the last 40 years so is an experienced GS owner), in the first week of homing him, she was walking him and a husky came walking around the corner on a retractable lead and floored my mum's dog. The owner had no command of his dog. Now our lovely GS is fearful of all other big dogs on walks, even now, seven years later. I'm not saying all huskys would do this, but this has clouded my judgement.

ToBeOrNotToBee · 01/03/2025 21:55

0psiedasiy · 01/03/2025 21:16

@Holldstock1 love the idea of a staffie x greyhound- can you post a pic? I have an imagine of my brothers old staffie’s (she was lovely and had very short legs) head on some huge legs!

Look at bull lurchers. That's the traditional name for the cross.

SnoopysHoose · 01/03/2025 22:02

I have a husky x spaniel. fortunately my son is a long distance runner and has trained him to run, currently at 20km per run.
A husky is not for you.

Nottodaty · 01/03/2025 22:03

I have friends who has a have husky (rescue) they aren’t off lead dogs. Their dog loves our springer and will play in the house. But walks are difficult he literally will pull his owner over to ensure he is in front of our springer.

But is an absolutely lovely dog and good company. They also live very rurally- they had to really reinforce their garden and he prefers just being outside and has to have a long line on now as he has tried to jump the fence very very prey driven!

CombatBarbie · 01/03/2025 22:05

I longed for one for years and then started working with them in kennels. Beautiful, funny animals.....we have a few regulars. The only one that gets to free run is the one crossed with a lab! Read of that what you will!