Should we adopt a Husky?

[AC14MUZ]

Hi all

We have the opportunity to adopt a Husky and just wanted some advice on what they are like as pets.

We will be moving so a house in a few months with a small garden. So he will have some outside space. We have two DSs 16 months and 3 months old and two cats.

The Husky is fully grown and comes from a very unloving family who currently keep him chained up in the back garden all year round and is never walked. He currently belongs to a friends neighbour and they are looking to get rid of him.

Would he be a good family member or am
I getting carried away because his current living conditions are horrible?

I understand huskies need an incredible amount of exercise and would be a huge commitment. How much walking/running would they need daily? How much food do they get through? What are other people's experiences with them as family pets like?

I've only ever had small dogs before so this would be very different for us and I want to make 100% sure we would be the right forever home for him and can give him what he needs!

I would report daily to rspca. Left standing in its own filth and dangerous cans lying around is not classed as suitable conditions to leave a dog in. Even if you say its tanged in its chain to get them out and assess it at least.

I would also shame them on social media.

We have huskies. Don't do it, you're not set up for them. They are escape artists, need lots of room, they dig and need a shit load of exercise. Think miles everyday. They have appalling recall too, so no off lead. Other than that they're awesome.
As an extra point, I wouldn't bring a dog with a difficult history into a house with v small children. Recipe for disaster.

We’ve had our two Sibes from puppies, they’re 7 and DS is five. I can honestly sawythat everyone has pretty much hit the nail on the head. They are high energy, they have extremely poor recall, to the point I do not let them off the lead and can be extremely destructive if left to their own devices. However they are also the most loving and loyal breed I have ever owned. Very gentle with DS and SIL (many many physical and learning disabilities).

They are not guard dogs, will let anyone in the house and generally have a very friendly nature.

That said I would be very wary of adopting the animal you talk off. Please contact the RSPCA however, those are not a good conditions for any breed let alone a husky. They require lots of exercise and company (hence the two). They are working breeds and need to be treated as such.

OP has already said that she has contacted the RSPCA who aren't interested.

The RSPCA are constrained by the law, if the law says the situation is adequate then the RSPCA have no power to intervene. Most RSPCA inspectors would like the law to be stronger, but they can't go beyond it.

I think you’re right, your situation isn’t suitable for Brian but please please do report his owners. We have a husky, he’s 17 months now and they are not for the faint hearted! He needs 4 hours of exercise, constantly needs company and is generally a delightful handful. I work from home so he has company all day, gets lots of exercise and fresh air and I interact with him a lot. I love him, but they’re incredibly time consuming dogs and with two young children I don’t think you’ll have the time he needs but a husky shelter will help find someone who does.

They’re really lovely dogs x

@Wellfuckmeinbothears your husky looks so lovely, but I'm listening to you all on here as it seems to be unanimous, I am not the right person to take Brian on and I wouldn't want him to be disrupted and taken to a new home only to still not have what he needs.

4 hours of walking/running a day is way beyond what I can offer, I'd be able to do realistically only manage 2, 3 at best. Maybe when the kids are older we can re think getting a dog.

Unfortunately the RSPCA can't do anything at he has shelter, food and water which is apparently the basic standard. Shocking that animals can be left in these conditions and no doubt much much worse.

I'll just keep my fingers crossed life for Brian improves and contact some husky rescue centres for advice on his situation.

Thank you all for your advice, before posting here I was fully prepared to bring Brian home!

Huskies are lovely dogs but they need a lot of work. Our last dog was a husky cross shepherd we got at 4 months from the dog trust. He had a lot of issues, was scared on the lead of traffic, no recall, would climb out of windows to go for a run, was destructive (2 sofas, kitchen floor, stair carpet, all the plants in the garden and various toys). I'm still finding his hair 18 months since he died. It took a year of work with a behaviourist to turn him into a pet but it was totally worth it. RSPCA are renowned for being shit in cases like this. Please try the local dog warden or the dogs trust

I personally think that 2-3 hours exercise a day is adequate, especially if you consider his current horrendous living conditions.

What would concern me more is how he might be around your children.

wellfuckmeinbothears I am happy to see its not just mine that collapses in a heap!!

@Aprilmightbemynewname I love the positions our boy gets himself into, it’s hilarious! He’s current shouting at my feet because I’ve had the audacity to paint my toenails. They truly are such wonderful characteristics dogs, I hate the idea of poor Brian chained up x

Beautiful but they have a high prey drive, so your cats would likely be dead very quickly. It also hasnt been socialised as a pet so would be unsuitable for children.

Why not set up a fb page for Brian, daily pics - shame them?

Next time he knocks over his water bowl, take a picture and show the RSPCA/dog warden etc of him without access to water, and emphasise how frequently that happens, and how long he doesn't have water for.

Please offer to rehome him and then take him straight to Birmingham dogs home. They had a very popular husky there this weekend and I’m certain they could give him the care and assessment needed to get him a new, loving home.