Looking to add a dog to the family

[Hamonizer]

We're looking to get a huskie puppy. My cousin used to have two adolescents but gave one up when she had her son - the other is very well behaved with a child in the house. We have a one year old son and a (fairly) large downstairs area but is it the right time for this addition? We're not a fan of smaller dogs - and to be honest they can often be even more aggressive than the bigger ones.

Will this be your first dog? If so, a Husky may not be the best choice. They are a very difficult dog to own, more of a way of life really. We accidently took on a Husky cross (so poorly RSPCA weren't sure of her breed, thought she was a white GSD). She has cost us more money than all others put together. She takes up more of our time than all the others put together. And we didn't train her - she trained us! She needs tons of exercise, and Huskies are difficult to train for recall so can't be let off lead. Luckily we have our own field otherwise she would never get enough. And she needs loads of mental stimulation otherwise she becomes demented.

Don't get me wrong, I adore her to bits, but she is not an easy dog, and not the best for a novice dog owner.

Hopefully Toboldlygo will be along soon and can give you more of an insight into Huskies.

I totally agree with you about little dogs though! I only have big dogs but I've only been bitten by small dogs! I think it's down to the owners though, they seem to think that as a small dog cannot do as much harm as a big dog, then they don't need the same training / boundaries. My friend's dog bites people on the face with no warning (cos they taught it not to growl), but its ok cos it doesn't break the skin - wonder what she would think if my GSD did it to her Sorry about rant but its my personal bug bear.

An older dog may suit you better - already housetrained etc. Some rescues won't adopt to those with young kids, but some will, I'm sure if you let us know your location then you'll get recommendations

No. No no no. Anything but a Siberian husky.

Their exercise requirements are totally incompatible with the lifestyle you'll have with a small child - they need several hours of walking (on a lead, they CANNOT be let off the lead), running in harness and training every day, whatever the weather. They often suffer from separation anxiety and can be extremely destructive if left alone. Adolescent huskies go through a nightmare period of needing huge amounts of exercise and training and will, without intending any harm, knock a small child flying, mouth (bite) them, jump up and knock them over etc. out of pure exuberance.

You called?

Not a husky- think about a greyhound if you have a small child and are first time owners- ex racers are gentle, quiet and lazy and some can live with cats. They are mcuh easier to look after than most breeds and do not require much wealking.

Are you prepared to never let your husky off the lead, and to walk for hours every day? Are you house proud? Consider these things for a husky, they look beautiful but are hard work.

Also, consider re-thinking the whole puppy thing. If you look back over puppy threads you'll see how much of a nightmare and responsibility they are to bring them up properly. If you get an adult dog from a rescue they can be already house-trained, socialised and their temperament assessed for you. It is a much easier option. I have never had a wee/poo/chewing/mouthing in the house with my retired grey and she also came lead trained.

Firstly you need to think about your timing if you get a puppy in the next 6 months your son will be an active toddler just as your puppy regardless of breed is hitting that adolescent 'I'm not listening to you stage'. I am a vet, but still I waited till my DD was 6 before replacing the much loved dog we lost when she was 9 months old. As I look as the lovely nearly well behaved cockapoo lying next to me I know his behaviour is a direct result of the commitment I have given to his training over the last 18 months.
Secondly Huskies/Malmuts etc are high energy working breeds having had our surgery trashed this morning as an under exercised one dragged it's owner every where before it tried to bite the vet I have very recent experience. The ones I know that are well adapted are run daily using a cart pulling a full grown adult for around 5 miles at a time and then compete at weekends.
I have been bitten by and uneven amount of big and small dogs it is always down to the dogs level training and the owners attitude rather than the breed involved. Having said that there are many other medium and large breeds that don't need as much exercise as a Husky.

Again with the no no no to a Husky, sorry.

We've had one move in next door to us a month ago. We told and told and told the owner not to do it - but she did.

Husky is now 5 months old and all we can hear through the walls is the shouting and sreaming of the owners at the dog and each other, and the incessant barking of the dog when it is left alone ALL DAY.

We've told her to get him neutered ASP....she wont. We've told her that when he hits puberty he'll be off like a shot...she wont believe us. We've told her that he will need AT LEAST 3 hrs a day walking...she wont do it. Hewr house stinks of piss and her stairs, dining room table and every pair of shoes she owns have been chewed to shit.

I'm beyond pissed off with her.

I am collecting telephone numbers for Rescuers ready for when she finally realises we were right and asks us to take him (like she did her other pets). He's lovely, he's beautiful, but as much as we want a second dog, there is no way we would consider a Husky - we couldn't give him the home and the attention he deserves.

Please dont.

LtEve, SHWA would be an excellent first point of call. :)

They have an awful adolescent period if you're not prepared for it, the majority that come through the rescue are 6 months to two years old.

My greyhound ex racer (a new addition to our family) is huge. He's very gentle and affectionate with the kids. My friend has a husky (taken on against her will by her ex who's now inside ) and he's too much for her to handle with small children.

Just to add, please please please don't!! My friends got a husky last year, (I warned her, too!)

Although she'd already had dogs, it was a massive shock for her! They had a toddler, dog was fine with, but needed 3 hours during the day, an hour on a night/eve pavement walking. Her DH let him off a few times saying oh he'll come back.... He did MOST of the time, apart from one memorable occasion he bloody well didn't! The dog ran through 3 villages, 7 miles of back fields, into the town centre, back to a suburban area before someone got a lead on it and took it to the vets. In an afternoon. My friend said he still went and waited by the back door for his walk when they finally got him home. He is absolutely mental, not through lack of trying, constant training, constant attention and constant hoovering! Now my friend has twin babies and 3 yr old. Couldnt manage at all! In the end, a fella who has 2 BCs who he works looks after him through the week.... I see him on my 7am walk with his gang of dogs, although he loves the dog and says he's fab, training a husky is like training no other dog.

Our first dog is a husky cross. He is a wonderful dog but we basically had to re-arrange our life around him. We walk him three times a day and make sure he has time to run around in an enclosed space; huskies can't be off-lead ever but of course you still have to train recall in case he escapes. He is very independent and so the training is interesting - he won't do something just to please but always wants to know what's in it for him. He needs regular grooming and when he is shedding, the amount of fur that comes off him is amazing (it seems like enough for a whole other dog).

Given the age of your son, if you are really set on a husky, I would suggest first of all doing lots of research into the breed so that you are sure, and then considering an adult rescue. Husky puppies are incredibly energetic and if you got a rescue that is already well trained (they do exist) then it would be easier for you. It would still need lots of excercise, though!

Have you considered other northern breeds? Akitas are less full on than Huskies, just as beautiful, bigger, good with children.

If you are a complete novice I would not reccomend getting any northern breed. They all need an experienced owner and a firm hand.

Greyhounds an excellent choice for first time onwers after a larger breed.

Bedlington Terrier all the way. Mine is brilliant with my kids. They're not too small and not too big either and ideal if you like walking lots.

Bedlingtons are gorgeous very gentle and trusting.
We had a retired racing whippet, she was fine with our cat but would chase anything that moved given the chance.
I have heard bad things about Akitas, but that could be down to the owners. They are immensely strong and I would be frightened. Thats just me, though.