Are husky dogs good pets

[Chippychop]

Dh desperate for one I would prefer a lab... We have 2 dc and a cat. Would you recommend the breed?

And yes yes yes yes yes to Behind's suggestion :)

chippy dont get a German Shepherd unless you have the time and patience to put in to training and exercise. They are smart dogs who need stimulation - not lying around the fire until you can fit them in.

And I am not sure what planet your husband is on, I assume he wants a 'status' dog? A big scary husky, or an even bigger scarier GSD?

There is not a rescue in the world that would give your family an ex working dog, especially not a police dog. That is an accident waiting to happen.

I have had dogs all my life, labs, JRT and mostly GSDs. I have had children while trying to train and exercise a puppy GSD, it isnt easy. Fabulous family dogs if brought up in the right environment, destructive, nasty and an enormous amount of hard work if taking on someone elses problems. I am the voice of experience here.

Please think long and hard about how much time, love, care and attention you can give any dog, not to mention expense. Big dogs cost more for everything, from collars/leads, food, vet fees, insurance, even their bloody beds.

Husky - no. Funnily enough my DH also went through a stage of wanting Husky and when I did some research I firmly said NO !

So we went back to Plan A and got a lab .

We did wait until our elderly cat passed away as we knew that she wouldn't be able to cope with a puppy so please take that into consideration.

I have two DC but both at Primary , and work PT from home .

Labs are great and very responsive to training as they are food motivated and unlike a Husky which is breed to run , Labs have that retrieve instinct so have a chance they will come back.

On my dog walks have never seen a Husky off lead !

My lab is 20 months now and there is light at end of the tunnel .

Also my Dh works long hours like yours so I am the main dog walker - at least an hour per day.

Also a no from me for a Husky! For all the reasons above. I'd love a Husky, but know that I couldn't devote enough time and energy to one.

But going against a couple of posters above, I also wouldn't recommend a Greyhound, solely because you have a cat. Greys have a strong prey drive and I don't think mixing that with a cat is a great idea.

Umm, Spaniel (lots of fun and v energetic)? Staffie (great with kids)? Rottie (big but don't need too much exercise)? Or just a Mutt, plain and simple and looking for some love?

Actually, many greyhounds in rescues are 'failed chasers' which means they did not have the prey drive to chase the plastic bunny or whatever they are meant to chase in a race.
And even successful but retired racers can be trained to live with cats.

The rescue we support (and where we got our whippety lurcher from) has successfully homed greyhounds to families with cats and one greyhound even lives with a house rabbit!
A good rescue will find the right greyhound for your family incl the cat!

My cousin has two beautiful big Bernese Mountain dogs which are a breed that might satisfy your DH. Fabulous with little ones, daft as a brush and are quite happy with with relatively little exercise (relative in relation to a lab). Not good with being left on their own as very much a member of the family. Would have one if I had the space at home myself.

There are 3 husky types at our school gates. Seem very friendly but glad I'm not walking them. One today pulled his owner over.

Should add we have a large labradoddle, who is lovely, slowly chilling out as he gets older but is still a huge amount f work.

Please don't get a spaniel, mine need at least 2 hours off lead exercise a day every day - can you really do that if your DH is at work all day? Unless it is something like a little King Charles of course :)

I think you need to stop listening to the breeds your DH likes the look of and go to a decent rescue, who will match you with a suitable dog.

OP - are your children at school ? If so and you do not work and if you are happy enough there would be time in the day to exercise your dog and attending training classes.

I love doing the dog walks - it is my only 'me ' time , also a few of us Mums from school will go after drop off together with our dogs for a romp - the dogs romp we walk sedately.

Don't right off getting a dog from a reputable breeder either - either way (rescue or breeder )it will be all down to you .

Glad to hear that you have gone off the idea of a husky. They are beautiful and an amazing breed, I still miss my difficult, independent, challenging one every single day but even I would hesitate in getting another one.

To be honest, it appears that the main responsibilty of care for a dog would lie with you so you really need to ask yourself if this is something you want as realistically due to the long hours your DH works regardless of the breed, a dog is a lifestyle choice and requires a lot of work from the owner over a long period of time (ours lived to the ripe old age of 15).

I have 4 huskies. I also have 2 kids at 5 and 7. I must say they are absolutely brilliant. We do have 2 cats as well and chickens.

My DH walks ours around the large block 1/2 walk as soon as he gets up in the morning and i walk them during the day sometimes 2 1hour walks of break it down. we do have a large garen and having more than one helps as they wear each other out.

We had our first when my little girl was 3 months old and he was 12 weeks and it was great, got me out rain or shine to excercise, did get a little tricky when she was at not wanting to go in the pushchair age.

i do take a couple of mine off lead on certain walks and all in a controlled enclosed area which is great .

they do blow their cat about 3 times a year on average but a furminator is a must and you will find yourself hoovering everyday during this time.

I love the breed they are great family dogs, love the children and are very tolerant, mine personally have been great to train to a certain level. they can be very selective in their hearing and are stubburn but are brilliant. you have to be extremely consistant i their training until they are at least 2 years old.

i could go on forever, lol. all dogs need good walks all puppies will destroy things until they are trained well and grow up. I personally love them. have fun whatever you get :o)

i apologise for my spelling bad headache!!!! lol blow their coats is what i meant! it will litterally droap and you can eaily get a carrier bag packed in sitting of brushing and it will keep coming!!