What kind of dog should we get?

[Woofbloodywoof]

Fellow hound lovers, I need some advice.
We have a wonderful 11 yr old JRT who is missing her best friend who we lost last year. She is unusually good with our cats - a couple of strays who pitched up and never left and are very comfortable with her. When friends have come over with dogs they don’t know they scarper though.
However, we had a gorgeous Husky come over for the afternoon and our JRT adored her. (Cats seemed ok too.) It made me realise how much she needs another canine pal.

I am loathe to get a puppy because rescue has always been the way for us, but I don’t know what the best thing to do for ALL the animals’ wellbeing. It just feels wrong to us to only have one dog.

We have plenty of space and plenty of time. But would a Husky and a JRT be a breed mismatch? And should we really consider a puppy as the most sensible option?
Just looking for advice from anybody who has introduced a new family member to a very tight pack.
Thank you!

Huskies are very high energy - more so than Jacks, which is saying something! I have a Jack but wouldn't have a husky for that reason.

Your Jack might not take kindly to a dog that's too young and rambunctious. In your situation I'd go to your local rescue and see what middle aged + dog and cat friendly dogs they have and see what's there.

Chances are you'll find a dog that's a good match that is a cross or something you hadn't considered before. There are, of course, plenty of Jacks in rescue if you fancy a second one!

I think the main problem with huskies is not their energy but their other expected traits.

Super high prey drive for one.
Generally poor recall another, even the breed club advises not letting off leash.

A high energy dog that you can let run about is arguably much easier than a high energy dog that has to be on leashed.

Like most working breeds though I would imagine there is a kennel club show breeder somewhere busy breeding out everything that makes a husky and creating more laid back ‘pets’ if you look hard enough.

I wouldn’t personally go for an adult rescue husky, or any typically high prey drive breed for the cat’s sake just incase the rescue has judged it wrong.
It doesn’t take long for a dog to kill a cat.

Thank you both, that is a lot of food for thought. I suspect the Husky we met yesterday was an unusually laid-back one. We are pretty active as a family so not worried about long walks etc., but the high prey drive is a worry.
I see another JRT in our future....😬

I adore huskies but would never have one because I don’t want a dog I could never let off lead. I think another JRT sounds like a great idea.

There are a huge number of JRT in rescue, I'll PM you a link.

Unless you Hill run for several miles per day that the dog could join you on or other such super long high energy outdoors activities I wouldn't even consider a huskie. They are working dogs and you'd need to work it hard and for long periods of time daily for it to be happy. I hate that they have become fashionable as pets! Plus they have terrible recall and a high prey drive.

Another Jack or a border terrier :)

Husky owner here, it’s not just the prey drive it’s the intelligence. They watch you then copy you. Ours can now open doors, draws, the fridge, and turn lights on. It’s like having a toddler.