Do you REALLY want a Siberian Husky?

So...you’ve fallen for those beautiful blue eyes and that gorgeous luxurious coat, the friendly temperament. You want one! But...Please stop! This is indeed a wonderful dog...for the right person. Are you the right person?

Please consider the following points:

• First, the Siberian Husky is a high-energy, gregarious dog that must have an occupation. This is a working dog, bred for extremely strenuous work hauling sleds in very difficult terrain and weather conditions. If you do not have time to exercise this dog, or to keep it adequately occupied, if you do not have time to be a companion, to form a pack-bond with this dog, this is not the breed for you. He/she will demand attention and will get it, one way or another; this dog will not be content to stay outside in the yard while you have fun inside. If you do not provide it with an occupation, it will find one, and you may not like the method chosen.

• A natural accompaniment to the high-energy and the purpose for which is it bred is the fact that Siberians run and roam. There just is no other dog with such a gypsy instinct; they cannot be trained NOT to run, any more than a retriever can be taught not to retrieve, or a Border Collie not to herd. This makes them excellent travel companions; however, this also means that your Siberian will travel on its own if given the chance. Siberians are escape artists, a.k.a. Hairy Houdini's. A Siberian will climb fences, leap fences, dig under fences, wriggle under gates, slip through doors and windows, slip out of collars and harnesses...all in the name of an opportunity to explore the world – and get into whatever trouble it can find: hit by moving traffic, as it has no street sense whatsoever, free to chase and kill cats and other small pets, get into dog fights, chase horses and cattle (thus being at risk for injury by kicking), find poisoned or spoiled meat, pick up ticks and other parasites. It will also be an easy target for dog-nappers and dog-abusers, as it is very gentle and friendly. More than any other breed, the Siberian Husky must be either on leash or in a well-fenced area – and supervised -- at all times. Your call to “come” will fall on deaf ears when the motivation and instinct to run is strong enough. The Siberian Husky does not respect the momentary discomfort and ‘zing’ from an electronic containment system, and the size of your acreage is not a natural barrier or deterrent to a dog that is bred to run long distances at moderate speed without tiring.
   

• Don’t be fooled by his appearance -- he is NOT a watchdog. Siberians are not inclined to give even warning barks upon approach by a stranger, no matter where they are, not even in their own homes. They are far more likely to lead an intruder to the biscuit box and offer the family silver in exchange for a treat. They are not inclined to be guard dogs, either, although if you as a member of their pack were seriously threatened, they might come to your defense enough to knock someone off your person. Ordinarily, your most extreme danger from a Siberian is being licked to death.
   

• Siberians shed their coats twice a year. The hitch is that each shed lasts six months. It waxes and it wanes, but it continues all year. There will be an intense period of shedding to get the thick winter coat out in the spring, and another slightly less intense period in the fall to prepare to put on the winter coats. If you value neatness at all times, then . . . don't adopt a Siberian. If you can tolerate fur all over the house and in the very air you breathe, then you are a candidate for a Siberian in your home.
   

• Siberian Huskies dig. If your lawn and flowers are the joy of your life. . . don't get a Siberian. They dig holes to cool off in the summer, but they also dig to form nice cozy nests in the snow. It doesn’t matter to them if there isn’t any snow -- instinct says, “Dig!!!” They also dig quite extensive dens if given even a little time and the proper place. If you have a Siberian and a landscaped yard at the same time, you must provide an area where the Siberian can excavate without damage to your plantings and lawn.
   

• Siberian Huskies are strong, stubborn, independent and rambunctious. The other way to say that is that they are powerful, persistent, smart and full of energy and stamina, desirable traits in a sled dog, but not in a house pet unless you train the dog well. Training a Siberian Husky can be an exercise in patience. They do not react well to coercive means of training, but they need a strong and intelligent owner who will be alpha (leader). If you are not physically strong, you will have to be strong in character. If you cannot be the alpha of the pack, the Siberian Husky will take over and make life miserable. That doesn’t mean the Siberian Husky cannot be trained to be a polite and relatively calm house dog, but only IF it gets adequate exercise, companionship and training.
   

• If you have read all this, and truly believe you qualify to own a Siberian Husky, we ask you spend a little time to further research our wonderful breed. Resources abound; we suggest the following:
   

Siberian Husky Club of America
Fain Zimmerman, Corresponding Secretary
210 Madera Drive
Victoria TX 77905-0611
http://www.shca.org/

Siberian Husky Rescue
http://www.siberianrescue.com/

Save Our Siberians – Siberspace Rescue Fund
P.O. Box 25773
Portland OR 97225
http://www.flash.net/~dagmar/sossrfmain.html

Adopt A Husky, Inc.
SERVING WISCONSIN, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MICHIGAN and MINNESOTA
P.O. Box 275
Salem WI 53168-0275
www.adoptahusky.com

Welcome to a very special group of people. It’s hard to be humble when you qualify to be part of a Siberian’s pack!!!