Huskies!

[A.N.Other]

My Dad's had a Husky and now a Husky-Malamute cross (a Huskamute). I'm not into dogs in a big way (read: not at all), but they've both been / are very well natured. Strong physically and strong willed - they're difficult to train in comparison to other dogs.

We've also had 3 Samoyeds during my lifetime and another two before I was born (see the sled-dog thing going on?). They're also nice dogs - easier than Huskies - but the long fur just never dries, so you end up with a permanent 'wet dog' smell. The one above is also very well groomed and quite a young dog - they're normally more yellow than that, and especially with increasing age.

 

[Kimi]

Yea Huskys are great dogs, but can be hard work, mine is very lazy and sleeps a large part of the day, hes never left alone tho and requires a minimum of an hour a day walk, usually i just jog with him for an hour and hes cool

They are among st the hardest dogs to train, but totally worth it

 

[Energize]

I've noticed most of the huskies in this thread have harnesses, i would have thought that would give them more strength for pulling? Kira can already pull me if she so chooses and I'm not exactly a skinny wee guy, is there a particular reason for the harnesses or is it just personal preference?

I use a harness and a headcollar with large dogs, because untrained dogs tend to practically choke themselves on collars and there is a risk of them slipping, and while a harness is secure it doesn't afford the same control over an animal as something that controls it's head. Plus you have the added security of two leads in the event of one breaking.

 

[PMol]

I have a Japanese Akita. Similar in some ways to the Husky, but better IMO


Home Cinema by PMolkenthin, on Flickr

 

[Dr House]

is the Akita not considered as a dangerous dog?

 

[Energize]

is the Akita not considered as a dangerous dog?

No.

There were four breeds randomly chosen as dangerous dogs,

Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro

 

[semi-pro waster]

is the Akita not considered as a dangerous dog?

Not as a breed specifically as far as I know, it can of course be classed as a dangerous dog on an individual basis but not in the same way that a pitbull terriers are generically classed as a dangerous dog. If you want to take a look then Defra has a handy guide on its website in PDF form, it is on page 13/20 to check which are the specific breeds.

The Akita was bred as a fighting dog so it is potentially on the more aggressive side (mainly with other dogs which it tends to dominate because of its size/strength/nature) but with good training then pretty much any dog can be a good and faithful companion - equally with bad/lacking training any dog can be a complete menace.

 

[scottmuir424]

pinch collars are prob the best for total control over the dog teaches the dog not to pull, you have complete control over the dog at all times

dogs are not dangerous its just the people that own them all dogs are capable of all sorts but its down to the owner how there at taught

 

[PardonTheWait]

We've got a Norwegian Elkhound which is husky-esque, quite a lot smaller though. Similar in some ways like legging it when off the lead if they see something interesting (she's never let off the lead since a couple of early experiments).

 

[KaHn]

pinch collars are prob the best for total control over the dog teaches the dog not to pull, you have complete control over the dog at all times

dogs are not dangerous its just the people that own them all dogs are capable of all sorts but its down to the owner how there at taught

You are actually condoning pinch collars?........................ I'd suggest using a half-choke or something similiar which doesn't run the risk of crushing the dogs wind pipe like a choke chain or something worse like a pinch collar!

http://www.discountedpetproducts.net/C_HERM_SPRENGER_PINCH_COLLAR_22_X_3_8MM_XL-UKP64524.html

Looks like some S&M throw back.

KaHn

 

[Delvis]

harnesses are better due to the fact if you think of the amount of fur around there neck its extremely easy for them to slip there collar as mine have done many a time in the past hence me moving to harness or pinch collars

Er, not really, if you have a decent collar they won't slip out of it. Walking them on a racing harness for instance is asking for trouble should a bunny decide to hop past you

Just get a half check

EDIT: What Kahn said! A properly fitted half check collar won't let them slip...Cant remember the exact type of ours but it's half check-ish but it's material as opposed to chain. Works a treat though, would prefer a standard half-check for walks though, more control.

 

[Narj]

I absolutely love Huskies, but could never have one as I'm at work all day and it'd not be fair to keep one indoors. I saw a guy once with a "sled" thing on wheels, he had a couple of Siberian Huskies pulling him along on it!

I know someone who has one, he left it alone in his van for a bit while he popped into the shop... He came back to over a grand's worth of damage!!!!

 

[Delvis]

I absolutely love Huskies, but could never have one as I'm at work all day and it'd not be fair to keep one indoors. I saw a guy once with a "sled" thing on wheels, he had a couple of Siberian Huskies pulling him along on it!

I know someone who has one, he left it alone in his van for a bit while he popped into the shop... He came back to over a grand's worth of damage!!!!

They get bored, they chew things, just they're a tad more hardy on the chewing than other dogs.

It was more than likely a rig the guy was using That or a scooter

 

[antijoke]

I would love to have a Huskie, but I would not be able to dedicate the time to looking after one properly.

Awesome dogs.

 

[A.N.Other]

We've got a Norwegian Elkhound which is husky-esque, quite a lot smaller though. Similar in some ways like legging it when off the lead if they see something interesting (she's never let off the lead since a couple of early experiments).

That's sad. We've always let all of our dogs off the lead (provided you're in a relatively remote / secure location). Our previous Husky was never let off the lead by his first owners, but when we got him (age 4, so full of himself) we let him off relatively soon after he got to know us and he was as good as gold. Unless your running with a Husky on a lead, then even a morning and an evening walk isn't really enough for them unless they can do some running.

 

[pheebs]

My other half is dreaming of an Alaskan malamute upon our return from the rtw motorbike trip. Bless him though, never owned a dog so I have had to try to describe how much time and dedication you haVe to give them!

My previous lab x collie was stupendous and super trained but then her breed meant she was very reciprocal to training (plus self employed so with her 24/7) used to take her out daily for normally a minimum of an hour.. then spend 20mins twice a day doing training games. She was a legend!!

The thing that concerns me about husky dogs is how hard I've heard they're to train. My cousin had the entire of their new downstairs carpet ripped to shreds when they left their siberian pooch for three hours!! Also.. for new dog owners I don't know if they fully comprehend the amount of cleaning that's required when you have a dog! Malumutes shed a heck of a lot... M
That means a tonne of hoovering and brushing!

Saying the above I am interested in a siberian husky. We ideally want a farm style house with land when we're back so plenty of room for running and training!

A lot to think about.

 

[Tom0]

My other half is dreaming of an Alaskan malamute upon our return from the rtw motorbike trip.

Here is one we have at our shelter;

 

[Delvis]

That's sad. We've always let all of our dogs off the lead (provided you're in a relatively remote / secure location). Our previous Husky was never let off the lead by his first owners, but when we got him (age 4, so full of himself) we let him off relatively soon after he got to know us and he was as good as gold. Unless your running with a Husky on a lead, then even a morning and an evening walk isn't really enough for them unless they can do some running.

Well, I hope nothing ever comes of it matey

I personally wouldn't let any husky off, unless it's in a properly secure location, ie decent fences all around.

For instance, one dog I know of got out of it's back garden not long ago, came back with blood all over it, turns out it got a couple of sheep. It escaped again recently, farmer shot it.

 

[Deception]

Lovely dogs . My Girlfriend keeps pestering me to get one

 

[Morbius]

Ive a soft spot for Springers

Lovely dogs, but they are absolutely bananas.