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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

new husky puppy advice

165 replies

mouses · 31/03/2013 23:56

On fri (29th) i bought home my gorgeous 14wk old husky cross. he's dad is wolf mum a husky. he is 14wks old.

he was fed on tripe, which i have to put in the microwave ( from frozen) for 14mins mixed with mixer biscuits. Im weaning him over to barf / raw adding in a few natures menu nuggets and taking away some tripe. now he is eating the nuggets then tripe but leaving the mixer?

is it ok to change him over to nuggets or should it be mince, chicken wings / portions? also am i going right way about it? was thinking of the free flow tripe from natures menu too??
aswell, how much and often should he be eating? he weighs 13.6kg quite petite in size (was told he was runt)

when reading up on the breed i was bracing myself for a challenge as i read they need their energy burned off, but this little one is so laid back Hmm he sleeps so much? and after a short 10mins toy session he needs another rest?

he cant go out yet he hasnt had his jabs which the breeder told me he doesnt need until his 5mths due to his breed? Confused although im calling vets on tues to check.

all help is appreciated thanks

OP posts:
Samvet · 01/04/2013 09:51

Ps you said you did a lot of research, did you contact your vet and a dog trainer for advice?
Has the dog been wormed? A reputable breeder will have given you a worming schedule documenting when he was wormed. Make a same day appt tomorrow if you can at the vets. Insurance may be a challenge if the dog is a wolf cross. Ask your vet about this.
The sleeping alot may be a worry or may not, again a vet check needed ASAP.

tabulahrasa · 01/04/2013 09:52

Oh and you can take him out now and I'd recommend you do it as much as you can it whatever cross he is, 14 weeks is really old for socialization.

Before vaccinations he can't walk outside anywhere where another dog might have been, but he can be carried.

TeaOneSugar · 01/04/2013 10:32

He's probaby quite heavy for much carrying now, my 8 month old cocker is about the same weight and I wouldn't want to carry him too far. I'd probably take him into your nearest town and spend some time sitting on benches or outside a cafe.

dpuppy spent lots of time sitting outside various costa's being fussed before he was fully vaccinated.

Schlock · 01/04/2013 10:49

Dear god, this must be an April fool. A wolf cross? A feckin WOLF CROSS???!! And a first time owner? [bushock]

Machli · 01/04/2013 10:52

If this hadn't been posted just before midnight I would be thinking it was an April Fool.

TeaOneSugar · 01/04/2013 10:55

April fools nightmare.

Original poster
mouses · 01/04/2013 11:11

thanks for all your advice, i will be booking him in straight away for vacs. he was wormed i was given worming tabs to do in 2 weeks.

no april fool, was told he is half wolf / husky, dont need liscence. etc... if new then what i know now :-(

I have plenty of time and patience for training and i go running so he will be well exercised but not til his older, he will be on long walks for now. well ... when jabs and liscence is sorted. cant believe it.

all i wanted to know is if im feeding him right ... :-( good thing im on here or i would have been in trouble.

OP posts:
Dilemma247 · 01/04/2013 11:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Machli · 01/04/2013 11:30

Ok what's done is done. You know now and you can take steps to ensure all goes well. He sounds lovely by the way Smile.

Original poster
mouses · 01/04/2013 11:33

I did read up on them, but its nice to hear first hand experince from people. when you google you get contracting info so i came to the place i know i would get experienced answers, i know its first time owning a husky but an experienced husky owner had to get their first husky to become experienced - if that makes sense.

ive prepeared myself for this breed - i have time to give him what he needs, i just didnt know about the lisence part.

OP posts:
Original poster
mouses · 01/04/2013 11:34

contradicting

OP posts:
TeaOneSugar · 01/04/2013 11:44

What breeds have you had before?

lurcherlover · 01/04/2013 12:07

mouses, any research into getting a puppy - of any breed - would have stated the cardinal rule: you never, ever buy a puppy without seeing it with its mother. The fact that you don't know this rings mega alarm bells.

In terms of the breed, do you know exactly how much exercise huskies need? It's not a case of "burning their energy off" as your OP states. They were bred to run for miles and miles every day, pulling a sled. The exercise requirements for a pet husky are immense - ideally they should be worked. A couple of walks a day - even for an hour at a time - are not going to be enough. Remember too that huskies cannot ever be reliably let off the lead, as the call of the wild easily conquers any human attachment for most of them. It's hard to see how you will be able to adequately exercise this dog once it's fully grown unless your children are at school and you have a considerable amount of time during the day.

I would be very, very wary about keeping this puppy. The "breeder" sounds completely irresponsible and like he doesn't have the first clue about dogs. If it is a wolf hybrid, you will find it impossible to get pet insurance, which could end up costing you thousands - either in vets' bills or in terms of damage to other people's property should the dog escape or get itself into trouble. Wolf hybrids are usually near-impossible to housetrain and can never, ever be trusted with children, even children they know well. They are certainly not animals to be owned by a dog novice.

I'm sorry to be harsh and blunt with you, but this dog really isn't an appropriate one for you. If you have your heart set on a husky - and really can commit to the exercise and mental stimulation it needs - then you need to find a reputable breeder who does health checks. A decent breeder should have quizzed you on your knowledge of the breed and the suitability of your home for a puppy. The advice your man gave you about vaccinations is completely wrong. I would be looking to rehome this puppy with someone who has experience with husky-type dogs, or even wolfdogs - you need to go through an expert agency to find this kind of person, you won't find them by sticking an advert up somewhere. There are experts on this forum with contacts who can help you (some have already offered) - please, use them. I know the puppy is gorgeous and you will be attached to it, but honestly, that will happen with any puppy, and this one is not the right puppy for you and your children.

Iamcountingto3 · 01/04/2013 12:21

Mouses, you're getting some great advice on here.

We had siberian huskies growing up (my mum had lived in Canada and had huskies there). They are beautiful, beautiful dogs (& the most charming puppies!), but not in a million years would I consider taking on a husky pup with a young family - they are seriously hard work, in terms of the exercise and socialisation commitments.

Have a good long chat to the vet, & you might want to have a look here too, if you haven't already: www.husky-owners.com/forum/

tabulahrasa · 01/04/2013 12:32

I don't think telling somebody to get rid of a puppy they already have is going to help much when they were originally only asking about feeding and what have you. If someone on the Internet told me to rehome my puppy I wouldn't listen, even if they had good reason to suggest it.

Mouses - I really think you should try to find out whether he is a wolf hybrid or not and speak to experienced owners.

A husky is hard work, but I don't see any reason why a dedicated owner even if it is a first time one couldn't manage, yes it's a big exercise commitment but people take them running or cycling, if you're active anyway and have lots of time, then I wouldn't dismiss it as being unworkable.

A wolf hybrid is something else entirely and I think you do need to work out whether keeping him with your children is something that you can do or not.

Original poster
mouses · 01/04/2013 12:42

I know they have to be kept on leash. if they smell/see prey no amount of recall will get them back. my children are at school.

i wont be rehoming this dog, i will get the help needed to train him. my kids are hard work and never new motherhood would be so hard - but i havent re-homed my kids!

I did know you should see the parents - breeder said parents were his pets so i assumed they would be at the property, i drove 4hr round trip to get him so tbh i was angry they wasnt there but didnt want to drive there for nothhing. Blush

I appreciate all your comments and understand you would feel this way about a first time owner but im comfortable with him and he shows no aggression, when he gets to his teenage stage there is plenty of help and classes i can get to.

he does basic comands, he sits to wait for food,gives paw, stays in the room i tell him to, hasnt chewed any thing...yet! he goes out when he needs toilet. at the moment he is content and a charming pup.

OP posts:
Original poster
mouses · 01/04/2013 12:46

I have contacted the breeder - I know he's given me a load of useless info but i just wanted to know why he let me take an illegal pup.

he told me his dad is a czech wolf so is legal in this country??? will have to look into this.

OP posts:
Samvet · 01/04/2013 12:51

Please get puppy insured ASAP, this will be a big dog and any illness or injury very costly

Original poster
mouses · 01/04/2013 12:56

samvet i would rather put his insurance into a savings account. if ever needed it will be there.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 01/04/2013 13:01

There's no such thing as a Czech wolf...there are Czech wolfdogs which would be legal usually because they're mostly German shepherd. An F3 cross doesn't need licensing.

MissyMooandherBeaverofSteel · 01/04/2013 13:04

What do you mean you would rather put it into a savings account? Aren't you getting him insured?

Floralnomad · 01/04/2013 13:06

You will need insurance for the third party aspect if nothing else . I'm not saying your dog will grow up to be a problem but all the dog attacks I know of in my locality have involved husky types . They are actually the only type of dog that I cross the road to avoid . Please take this comment as it is intended - you've been taken for a mug by this 'breeder' and you were an idiot not to walk away when the parents weren't present but good luck !

toboldlygo · 01/04/2013 13:07

Czech Wolf Dogs are legal and very low content, plus again a great number of dogs claimed to be one are just variations on husky/mal/GSD. So the puppy is not 50% wolf. Bit of a backtrack from the breeder... I sincerely hope you didn't part with much money for him because this is not a wolf hybrid and this is an ill-obtained puppy.

Having just claimed for a £1500 cruciate surgery for one of mine I strongly recommend insurance.

www.shwauk.org.uk/ can offer advice and support.

Samvet · 01/04/2013 13:11

That's fine as long as you can save significant sums of money. A course of antibiotics with a consult will be £100 or so min. Eats a sock and gut obstructed? £1000. Diabetes? £200 a month initially. Seizures? mRI and work up £2500. If you have the money to cope with those bills then fine but be realistic and I would get third party insurance at least.

tabulahrasa · 01/04/2013 13:11

My puppy is eight months old - he's already cost me close to £3000 in vet's bills for a joint problem, do get insurance, really, it's no small amount if there's something like that and if you don't really know what he is and his parents are possibly not tested, it could be a very real possibility.

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