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Siberean husky or Labrador????

71 replies

Sami544 · 21/12/2020 14:09

Hi

we are going to start looking forward and to getting a dog. We are a family of 5 (3 older children, 17,14,11) and large house with good sized garden. Think dh said it was 65ft x 65ft. We have narrowed it down to a labrador or Siberean husky. I love the husky or Finnish Spitz but have read in some places that they are not that friendly and get bored easily.
But maybe the labrador does as well???

Any experiences of either??

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decadance · 21/12/2020 21:43

would not recommend a labrador for a first family dog, we have had a westie and a bichon frise, they are a breeze compared to the lab.
Our labrador is now 7, she is just a stomach on legs, we cannot take her to the park in summer as she is constantly on the lookout for food it's all she lives for, she also pulls like a train so we have to use a special head collar as she will pull you off your feet if she spies a squirrel, and yes we went to training classes even one to one trainer, she is the most affectionate good natured dog though, has never growled and brilliant with kids, she is 32kgs of bounciness and loves everyone she sees but she is too much for my toddler grandaughter still, needs a good hour off the lead in the morning and another long walk in the afternoon, we love her to bits but would never have another lab

SilverOtter · 21/12/2020 22:02

[quote Chaotic45]@SilverOtter oh what a gorgeous gorgeous girl. In my experience though a vizsla tends to be very high energy, high drive and not happy to be left for as long as an average lab? So need a certain type of home to thrive.

Apologies if that's not your experience, every dog is different but I've seen this in the vizslas on my books. [/quote]
To be fair, I do read a lot of threads about separation anxiety and chewing/destructive behaviour in the fb Vizsla group. Touch wood it's not an issue we've had - I think we've got an unusually chilled out Vizsla! They are fantastic dogs though. Utterly bonkers, but so so loving🧡🐾

steppemum · 21/12/2020 23:32

we have a springer spaniel. (which I am not recommending by the way, just saying)

he was a rescue dog.

We had dogs when i was a kid, and didn't really expect to get a dog now. We started by dog sitting my cousin's dog a lot when he needed to go and support his elderly dad.
They we dog sat my friends (incredibly well behaved lab) when they were on holiday, and my son walked him for pocket money sometimes too.

Then we fostered for the local dog rescue, and our 4th foster was the springer who kind of stayed.

It is great to rescue a dog, but to be honest you don't sound as if you know much about dogs. That's fine, we all have to start somewhere. I suggest you get to know someone with a dog and offer to walk with them, or dog sit for them and learn a bit more about what sort of dog you like.

For example, my cousins dog is a Golden retriever, he is a lovely character but HUGE and takes up the whole living room floor.
I was smitten by the nice character of my friend's lab. Then their old lab died and they got a new puppy and we dog sat for them a few times, he taught us how he was training the puppy, and it was eye opening, we discovered why his old lab was so well behaved, the hours of good training he had put in.

We learnt so much from these dogs and their owners and the owner of the dog rescue when we were fostering. I don't think we would have been a successful placement for our current dog without all of that.

Girlintheframe · 22/12/2020 07:49

Our last dog was a lab and the kids adored him

Pros
Very easy to train
Very friendly and chilled
Great with the kids
Happy with an hour/hour and half walk
Great at barking if he heard something
Didn't mind being left for a few hours

Cons
Lots and lots of hair
Extremely food oriented
Big chewer
Very bouncy until around 8

I would definitely have another lab but having had dogs since, the lab was the hardest puppy/teen.

It takes a lot of work during the 1st few years as they seem to mature slowly. Although being food oriented is great for training it was definitely a struggle just how food oriented he was and the lengths he would go to!

I would have another in a heartbeat but just bear in mind they are a lot of work until older.

vanillandhoney · 22/12/2020 08:32

@SilverOtter my cousins Viszla once ate through her couch when she was left alone for an hour Grin

They are stunning dogs though and yours is absolutely gorgeous!

scentedgeranium · 22/12/2020 08:38

@Girlintheframe sounds like my golden retriever except he has even more hair but at least doesn't chew!

SilverOtter · 22/12/2020 08:38

[quote vanillandhoney]@SilverOtter my cousins Viszla once ate through her couch when she was left alone for an hour Grin

They are stunning dogs though and yours is absolutely gorgeous![/quote]
Oh my goodness!😱

AlwaysLatte · 22/12/2020 08:45

The huskies and labs I know are all pretty high maintenance, especially the husky, which never seems to relax and seem content - always wanting to go out despite a lot of walks. The two breeds I've had are rough collie and cavalier King Charles spaniel, and next time it will definitely be one of those. Both loved/love their walks but didn't need hours upon hours and both very loyal and affectionate. The little one tries to chase squirrels and won't come back during one of those episodes but other than that, very trainable.

Santaisironingwrappingpaper · 22/12/2020 09:04

Ime huskies love flooring..
Absolutely no shame or remorse either..

Siberean husky or Labrador????
Labobo · 22/12/2020 09:30

Labrador! Most loving dogs ever.

MrsFluffyMuff · 22/12/2020 11:38

Found the pic of what my ex's husky did to his brand new lino 🙈

Siberean husky or Labrador????
Sitdowncupoftea · 22/12/2020 13:26

@Sami544

Hi

we are going to start looking forward and to getting a dog. We are a family of 5 (3 older children, 17,14,11) and large house with good sized garden. Think dh said it was 65ft x 65ft. We have narrowed it down to a labrador or Siberean husky. I love the husky or Finnish Spitz but have read in some places that they are not that friendly and get bored easily.
But maybe the labrador does as well???

Any experiences of either??

I do not own a labrador and have never owned one so couldn't answer breed specific answers on that. I do however own huskies. Personally they are a family friendly pet and great dogs. Ignore the breed "assumptions" on here as many don't own one. They are a working breed so are good with training. Mine are intelligent learn commands quick. I dont let mine off leash due to prey drive as I live rural lots of wild deer etc I use a long tracking line. Mine go on two good long walks a day. I've never crated , never had issues with boredom or chewing things up destructive. I have more than one as they are great dogs. They have the run of the downstairs along with my cats. They don't bark but occasionally howl if they hear a siren or a fire engine. The downside is they shed and need exercise regardless if its raining or galeforce winds. I would go on a husky forum and join that to know more about the breed from actual owners. There's lots of rubbish you read about the breed mainly from people who have never owned one. You then can ask breed specific questions. Google husky forum and you will come across one with a wealth of information from actual owners.
vanillandhoney · 22/12/2020 16:05

@SilverOtter she's err...definitely quite a neurotic dog Grin

Absolutely lovely but she can't stand being left alone! She's also eaten a mattress in the past!

Scaredykittycat · 22/12/2020 16:06

Husky dug up the garden and howled a lot. Get a lab.

Bathroom12345 · 22/12/2020 16:18

I love the pictures especially the one of the ripped lino with the dog just sitting beside it looking like he couldnt give a stuff!

Labs are not to be underestimated. Ours has pulled me over before but is good at being left. Fur is left everywhere and he doesnt even have the decency to get the hoover out and clear up. just moves onto the next room.

Unusually for a lab he can take and leave food and will sometimes go on hunger strike but for food he wants (i.e ours!). I did some googling and the little sod kept this up for 3 days. My DH wanted to cook him some chicken and rice to keep his strength up but I stood firm.

He has never been to the vet bar yearly check up and when he had his bits done. They put a vest on him with poppers around his nether regions. It was chewed off in 10 mins and he was left with just the top half of the vest which was completely useless (and it cost £25!!)

Would I get another one - _(we previously had another large breed who was almost perfect but she didnt like other dogs and I swore I wouldnt go through that again).

I think I might do.....

StillMedusa · 22/12/2020 17:51

If you like the looks of a husky, but the temperament is a bit much.. have you heard of Eurasiers?
They look like Huskies but slightly smaller (mines 23kg..girl) and very fluffy and most are very very easy to live with.. mine loves two good walks a day preferably off lead but spends the rest of the day belly up, snoozing! Very family orientated so need someone around as much as possible.
Mine is dog friendly ( if a bit bossy) but doesnt go to strangers unless they are waving cheese... She's utterly soppy and incredibly loving. Her main downside is ..the fluff.. and that she WILL chase squirrels, rabbits etc, but she never actually catches them :) They come in all different colours... golden, black, mixed (like mine here on the run) She's our first dog and has been very easy to train.

Siberean husky or Labrador????
sakuramiyagi · 22/12/2020 17:55

Most definitely a Labrador.

Thermalpants · 22/12/2020 18:59

She is stunning @StillMedusa.

2ndMrsdeWinter · 23/12/2020 09:02

Not all small dogs are yappy. What a bizarre misconception.

Tomcullenisahero · 23/12/2020 09:15

I had a Siberian husky and she was the best dog I've ever had. We got her when my DSs were 2 and 4 yes old. I worked two days a week so was able to commit and trained her a lot as I read they could be wilful.
She had the most gentle personality and never ate anything she shouldn't have eg kids toys l, furniture etc and was great with children. Her recall was very good and easily toilet trained. I would recommend a husky based on my experience but I see a lot of people have had a difficult time with theirs.
Good luck with your new addition to the family whenever you get your dog!

Tomcullenisahero · 23/12/2020 09:15

The only downside for me was the hair! So much hair

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