Siberian husky as a family dog?

[91runner]

Hello all,
I just found a male and female pair of siberian husky that need a new home. I know they require a lot of excercise and work but was mainly wondering how they would be around my 4 year old and 6 month old. They were raised in a household with children (9, 16, 17) but mine are quite a big younger. Are they generally forgiving to the handful of hair pulled and rough housing?
Thanks for any and all advice I have been reading and browsing for awhile and come to respect the opinions and advice given on this site.

[Mamontof]

All depend about dog personality and character of previous owners .
Where the dog live and hay .

For dogs that could be big stress and shock , plus hay your family will react on them .

DOg like humans only can not talk .:ylsmoke:

[haven]

A friend owned a Siberian Husky. The dog was great with the family.
Unfortunately, the dog enjoyed getting out of the yard and exploring
the neighborhood. If the fence was too high to jump, then the dog would
quickly dig under, and escape. Huskies can cover a lot of ground quickly.
There were many calls (and bills) from the animal control agents in
surrounding towns. Eventually, the dog was sent to a friend with a large
farm, where being off leash was not an issue.

[scarysharkface]

We had a wonderful husky for many years. He was great with kids and pretty much everybody. We kept him in a high-fenced yard and never let him run loose. Those buggers will do 25 miles in a night, easy, and make friends with everybody. I miss Khatru greatly, RIP.

[EricBirk]

A friend owned a Siberian Husky. The dog was great with the family.
Unfortunately, the dog enjoyed getting out of the yard and exploring
the neighborhood. If the fence was too high to jump, then the dog would
quickly dig under, and escape. Huskies can cover a lot of ground quickly.
There were many calls (and bills) from the animal control agents in
surrounding towns. Eventually, the dog was sent to a friend with a large
farm, where being off leash was not an issue.

Pretty common with Huskies. They run and run then turn around and wonder where you went hahaha

Honestly though, its entirely based on personality. My best buddy for 10 years was a Shepherd/Husky, loved to run, smart, listened very well, and in the entire time I owned him I never once saw him or heard him get angry with anyone or anything. I also didnt know the history of him as we found him when he was about 3 on an island in the river north of town. He was extremely mal-nourished and showed signs of previous training, and major abuse.

I was born into a house, and grew up with a 130lb Rottweiler that with my dad at his side was a demonstration dog for the company that helped to train the police. Not once was I ever worried around him, even though he weight double what I did. He was the best babysitter ever as no one one even think of setting foot on our property. So alot of it is how they are brought up.

If you want a dog that will happily tear around the yard/surrounding area with you, will let your kids climb all over them, will be happy sitting in the snow at -30 (if you see that where you are from), then go hard. BUT the big thing is the exercise, if they get bored, they wreck stuff, and or try to get out. If they do get out you will have a hard time getting them back.

[JKDetonator]

It depends entirely upon how the dogs were raised. If your home environment will be similar to theirs then they will be fine. I've had 2. The first one was raised with kids and was great with them; he was very protective. After divorce, while living alone, I got another one. We lived on a farm in the country and he would range 3-4 miles a day; no problem at the time for him or me. However, this one was named Kenai and would kill anything that I pointed him at. Coyotes, armadillos, snakes, etc. I would not let him around children. When kids were present he was put in a stall in the horse barn. The only thing Kenai was afraid of was my mule! So, again, it depends on the dog and its environment; caution would be advised if the dogs were raised without children present.

[91runner]

They were raised with children, just older them mine. going to look at them tomorrow and see how it goes. Our yard is fenced and we have 6" of chicken wire on either side of the bottom of the fence so that should help. I am worried about the alabama heat though. As long as there is a kiddie pool for when they are outside will that keep them cool enough? Will be nice to have someone to run with though.

[SunTzuNephew]

It all depends on the dog. We currently have a Sibe, Angel....she's quite different in personality than the last Sibe we had....Angel is quite calm (for a Sibe), and very, very good around kids. My last sibe was quite a bit more hyper..

But, all Sibes need a LOT of exercise - a good hour's walking a day (not all at once, although they wouldn't mind).

[bobcat charlie]

We had a Husky walk into the yard as a stray 14 years ago. We already had an Ottorhound but couldn't find the Husky's ('Little Dog'...he was smaller than the Ottorhound) owner, so decided to keep him.

First week, 3 escapes - taking the Ottorhound with him! We put a coller on him and let him in the house and all was well. Second week, I had the garage door open and the Husky entered from the back yard...saw the open garage door and backed right back into the back yard!

Never ran away again...died last year after 13 great years. He and the Otterhound were a team...the Husky was the smart one.

BTW...we had Little Dog for a year before we discivered he was deaf, he was that smart!

Mickey

[deepsouth]

I have a 14 year old husky that is wonderful. She is very passive around small children and other dogs. However, she is very protective of me and my family. I was once camping out of my backpack in a remote area and later that night found myself surrounded by 4 coyotes. She didnt budge one bit. There was not one ounce of fear in that dog. There was no way she was going to let them get close to my tent. I had never seen that side of her. The only problem i have ever had is that when she was young she could clear a 5ft fence with ease. She always came back but spent a lot of time roaming. Those dogs really like to be worked. I even have saddlebags for mine and she totes all of her food and water on our trips. They are really special dogs.

[yellocoyote]

We have a husky now - he was 3 (he's 5 now) when we adopted him from the shelter. He's very, very smart (almost too much), and has escaped a number of times from a number of different scenarios - he knows how to free himself from clips that you find on a leash or a backyard line, so we had to put a carabiner on... the type that have the threaded screw-type closure. Without thumbs, he can't get out of that one... yet. :P

He's a great dog - he's good with kids, and our cats, but very intolerant to smaller dogs that he finds annoying.

But with any dog, you'll have to learn their behavior, their personality and adjust accordingly. It took us a solid year of learning with our Sibe before we discovered most of his quirks.

Good luck!

[SunTzuNephew]

Tasha (my last sibe) was an escape artist... I finally had to find her a new home when she learned that she could break out through closed windows (5 windows and 4 visits to Animal Control that week.....)

Angel (my current sibe) likes nothing in the world more than chasing squirrels... I won't let her off leash unless there are a lot of other dogs around to keep her company. She's not too sure about cats, is interested in birds, ignores most people and small kids unless they approach her first. But, she's not that prone to dig out. Her only annoying habit is eating whatever she finds on the street: It sometimes makes her ill.

[R_Lefebvre]

My uncle has a Husky mixed with some fraction of wolf. Pretty good dog, but she needed to be dominated occaisionally. My uncle had to make my nephews do it too, otherwise she started dominating them. They had to use a choker chain to walk her because she'd rip your arm off otherwise. Beautiful dog, but I never felt safe with her around my baby, there is a wildness in her eyes. I always put myself between her and the baby when visiting.

As with all dogs, this can't be answered simply. It depends on the breed, and training.

[BriansFJ]

It depends on the dog, as said. I had a husky before and ended up giving him away to a family with a large lot for him to roam on. I now have afemale who is the biggest baby and lap dog, and she wants nothing more than to have her belly rubbed. She's great around my 5yo.

[skysix]

We've had our McKenzie Valley Husky for 9 years now - and countless escapes until she was 6 or 7. As posted - they need a lot of excercise, are very smart, and get bored easily. We lived in Yellowknife for many years and would run her across on the ice road to Dettah and back every day from 1 until 3 years...driving behind her at about 25-30 initally and 5-10 by the end of the run. Distances shortened as she got older but even at 7 years old when we were in Whitehorse she'd easily need a 5 mile 'jog' by vehicle on a backroad daily.

5 feet fences at a jump, 6 feet were a mild annoyance, 7 needed a 'chinup' to claw her way over. She can open an oven to get last nights pizza, cupboard doors if there is peanut butter or chocolate inside, counter surfs if she thinks we aren't around, destroys a cow foreleg bone in less than a week, 'sings' beautifully and has driven black bears away from camp in the winter.

Just like a Princess - high maintenance and worth every second you spend with them. Louie stands waist high at the shoulder (I'm 6'2") and weighs 75-80# and can really pull when she wants to! Some pics (that stump at Mt t. Helens is about 5'diameter at the base)

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v375/247/62/1101353000/n1101353000_30196866_6659.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v375/247/62/1101353000/n1101353000_30196871_8812.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v375/247/62/1101353000/n1101353000_30196854_1709.jpg

That being said.......we found buryng chicken fencing 2 ft down and two feet under the fence took care of the digging, and we have had friends who had a lot of success with coyote rollers on top of their fence to deal with the climbing issue. As for children....she has been wonderful with all ages - but with smaller children we always closely supervise....if you can figure out whether the huskies are strong prey driven or strong food driven that will really help make your decision- prey driven you do not want to take on while you have small children..... a child runs around playing and the dog is thinking *LARGE SQUIRREL!!!!!!* - food driven is easier because you can more easily control situations. That being said any dog can react to different stimuli in an unexpected way....both the children and the dogs must be trained. As for heat - we lived in AZ for 2 years - she had her swimming pool, and a large shade area
and lots of clean cold water.....she did well but during the heat of the day *12-4* stayed close to the swamp cooler and AC inside

[91runner]

Well thanks everyone but unfortunately I have not been able to get ahold of their owner again despite numerous emails, hopefully they were able to keep them or they went to another good home. Do have to say my family is very disappointed but everything happens for a reason.

[bobcat charlie]

One other thing, our Husky, Little Dog, had 'lambchopaphobia'. Any time my wife prepared a lamb dish the Husky would hide under the bed and wouldn't come out until the lamb odor was gone!

[SunTzuNephew]

One other thing, our Husky, Little Dog, had 'lambchopaphobia'. Any time my wife prepared a lamb dish the Husky would hide under the bed and wouldn't come out until the lamb odor was gone!


ROFLMAO! I wish ours was adverse to some (any) foods...She snuck some asparagus off my dinner plate last night...

[skysix]

If your heart is set on some huskies....seriously check out your local area animal pounds. Many people get huskies as puppies because they are cute without researching the breed and once they find out what escape artists sibbies are and how much work they take they dump them.....there are literally thousands in pounds across the US. There are also sibbie rescues in just about every state......check it out.... a dog that is rescued is unlike any dog you will ever own....I have 3. Okay end of my PSA:wings:

[scarysharkface]

Well thanks everyone but unfortunately I have not been able to get ahold of their owner again despite numerous emails, hopefully they were able to keep them or they went to another good home. Do have to say my family is very disappointed but everything happens for a reason.

There is (or at least was a few years ago) a pretty good-sized Husky and Malamute rescue in Delta, Ohio...

John

[KMW]

My family has had a couple of Huskies and a number of Malamutes. A lot of people think because of their "wolf like" appearance that they are fearsome guard dogs. Our experience has been that they are protective but loving dogs, and with the right personality are great with kids. They tend to be far more interested in play and pulling things than playing sentry.

I love hearing everyone's Husky "escape artist" stories, brings back great memories; we had a neighbor whose Husky was always breaking out to come visit my grandfather's Malamute ("Big Wicked Bill").

[Otto Von Squiggy]

my good friend had one for many years. 3 years after its death we were still finding hair in all sorts of places. THEY SHED ALOT!!

[motochain]

I have a 14 year old husky that is wonderful. She is very passive around small children and other dogs. However, she is very protective of me and my family. I was once camping out of my backpack in a remote area and later that night found myself surrounded by 4 coyotes. She didnt budge one bit. There was not one ounce of fear in that dog. There was no way she was going to let them get close to my tent. I had never seen that side of her. The only problem i have ever had is that when she was young she could clear a 5ft fence with ease. She always came back but spent a lot of time roaming. Those dogs really like to be worked. I even have saddlebags for mine and she totes all of her food and water on our trips. They are really special dogs.

Crazy! That's pretty uncharacteristic to see 4 coyotes together, usually they're pretty solitary.

We got two siberians last october (sisters) they're about 8 months old now, love them! They keep eachother company when we're not around, haven't destroyed anything yet, and have been tons of fun.

I think any dog can be trained to behave around little children, but I'd never leave a dog alone with one.

[Albin]

I had my Alaskan Malamute for just over 12 with 10 of those years in North Alabama. Their coat protects them from the heat just as it does from the cold.

You've already heard the comments about working them, they love it!

Sibes and Malamutes are very intelligent animals, they will need to know where they fit in the family hierarchy. Your four year old may be able to dominate him, my daughter was able to at four, but not the 6 month old, obviously. Therefore, I would never leave the dog with the younger ever and not the older until I knew the god a little better.

Meet the dog and go with your gut - with your kids safety in mind.

Good luck.

Al

[dlbrunner]

Having Siberians (2) for close to 14 years, I am on the fence.

Siberians take a LOT of work, but if they get it they can be really good around kids.

My trepadation comes due to the fact that they take so muck work, that they might cut into your time with the kids. At some point, and it may seem trivial, but a choice will have to be made between the Kids and the Dog, in my mind that is really unfair. Some may be able to pull it off though.

Siberians must be kept on a leash or restrained AT ALL TIMES. I have a lot of off leash experience with Sibes, and it will send you to a cardiologist before you can say "Double Coat"

My male had no fear, horses, deer, antelope, he would chase....My female doesnt seem to be afraid of anything either....

I raised the male from a pup, never "altered" him. I exposed him to children early on, and he was never domineering or agressive, in fact he really liked kids, if we were camping, he always followed the kids around before the adults. He never jumped on them, he would let them pull his ears, poke his face anything.

The Female is a different story. I got her at 3yrs and was shy and probably been beat pretty bad, she has a "Zone" of where you can touch her before she starts "purring" That has turned into a snap with me on a couple occasions, so I keep a VERY close eye on her when she meets new people.

Keep in mind- Kids have 0 common sense. seriously. I don't care if you are a parent or a random, if you tell a kid not to do something, THEY WILL EVENTUALLY DO IT most likely when you are not looking.

I told my girlfriends children (6 &7) when they first met Nikki in a very nice way not to grab the dogs tail. They agreed, and told them the dog does not like it. They go along and play fine, and just when they think I am not looking, I hear a growl. What do I see? Kid pulling tail. This is not the first set of kids I have seen do this.

Both the Dog and Kid will test you, balancing that to make a safe home is not always easy.

It is not only the dog that needs boundries, the CHILDREN do too.

If you are thinking about taking on a dog, you need to evaluate far more than the dog or breed.

You need to look at yourself: Am I prepared to take on a 10-15 or more year responsibility?
Do I have the time to train the dog AND family to live in harmony? Does the family understand the commitment as well?

And honestly: Does my child demonstrate responsible, kind behavior? Some kids may not be dog compatible. There are mean kids out there that given a chance WILL torture animals. Sure it may be a phase, but an uncomfortable one for the dog. Some kids are really scared of dogs, for no apparant reason, and may react in fear. I was scared of dogs for a long time...

Do I have a property that can manage a sibeerian? I would reccomment at LEAST 3000 sq feet for them to do laps in.

Do you have a secured acre or 2 nearby (dogpark) where you can take them 4-5 times a week for an hour to burn off steam?

My male could run 15 miles behind the truck multiple days in a row........Taking a siberian for a walk around the block will not cut it, they need to be RAN and HARD.

my 0.02

[R_Lefebvre]

I've been wanting to get a "real dog" (I have a poodle) for a long time now. I'd love a full size, rugged looking dog, that would like to be outside, and would be protective of my family. I've like german shepards for obvious reasons, but I've also liked huskies. Mainly because they like to pull, and I'd love to try skijoring. But this thread made me read up on malamutes a bit, and think that would be an interesting option too. Seems they don't run as fast, but like to pull greater loads than a husky? Sure would be nice to go for hikes and have a dog pull a wagon with kids in it. Or help with portaging! :)

My main concern is always "keeping" a dog like that. I have a 14,000 square foot lot. Seems plenty big to leave them outside. But I don't know the reality of keeping dogs outside. Nobody I've known does it. And I always think about the crazy neglected mutt chained in a backyard on the wrong part of town... could an invisidble fence restrain a dog like that? I'm not allowed fences.

[EricBirk]

I gotta say thank you for all the escape stories. Definately recalled some memories and gave me a good laugh.
I had a Shepherd/Husky and he definately had the Husky "love to roam" in him.
I will never forget one night when I was in junior high. I came home and he was gone... I walked around for 4+ hours, refusing to come in until I found him.
All I remember is how black it was outside, and I just heard this clanking noise from his collar, and next these white eyes. Best sight ever!!
That dog was my best buddy, and I miss him more than anything. At this point I cant even decide if I would ever get another one, because of how close I was with him...

anyways, sob story over. Get the dog, if you have the ability to take care of them you wont regret it.

[dlbrunner]

My main concern is always "keeping" a dog like that. I have a 14,000 square foot lot. Seems plenty big to leave them outside. But I don't know the reality of keeping dogs outside. Nobody I've known does it. And I always think about the crazy neglected mutt chained in a backyard on the wrong part of town... could an invisidble fence restrain a dog like that? I'm not allowed fences.

Invisible fence will not restrain a husky/mal. They will run through the pain till they are out of range.

most reccomendations for husky enclosures are 6' tall minimum and 18" buried. Even then there are "athletic" guys that get out.

To all- Why are a LOT of mutt dogs "Part Husky" you guessed it...The males like to take them selves out for "Walks".

[SunTzuNephew]

Invisible fence will not restrain a husky/mal. They will run through the pain till they are out of range.

most reccomendations for husky enclosures are 6' tall minimum and 18" buried. Even then there are "athletic" guys that get out.

To all- Why are a LOT of mutt dogs "Part Husky" you guessed it...The males like to take them selves out for "Walks".


Yes. Huskies have the reputation for being very stoic and insensitive to pain (seeing mine sleeping on ice at -30 makes me believe it). They also like to jump and dig so fences need to be built with that in mind.

[R_Lefebvre]

Ok, tie out?

I'll always regret not picking up this dog we saw at the pound one day. It was some kinda mutt, but basically looked EXACTLY like a miniaturized GSD. He was 1 year old, and 30 pounds. Seemed like a great temperment, liked kids. Nice looking dog, well behaved, but not too big.

It really saddens me that my current dog hates my son. Well, maybe not hate, but completely ignores him. Jealous.

[VicHanson]

If you like the Husky look, but with less effort needed, check out a Norwegian Elkhound or a Samoyed (a little 'fluffier'). Both still shed lots though!

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/norwegianelkhound.htm

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/samoyed.htm

Vic

[dlbrunner]

Ok, tie out?

I'll always regret not picking up this dog we saw at the pound one day. It was some kinda mutt, but basically looked EXACTLY like a miniaturized GSD. He was 1 year old, and 30 pounds. Seemed like a great temperment, liked kids. Nice looking dog, well behaved, but not too big.

It really saddens me that my current dog hates my son. Well, maybe not hate, but completely ignores him. Jealous.

Mosk kennels in AK and other "Working Kennels" Tie out. Problem is if you have coyotes or lion around, ie you live out of town a way, Staked out dogs are easy prey.....

That is something you have to start them on young, kind of like crate training. My male HATED being tied out, but I did not start him early enough or do it consistently. Tieing out or "staked out" you have to be careful with, use swivels, make sure the dogs house is in a good spot, etc...

I am personally not a fan of regular "Tieing out" but it is important for dogs to learn especially in camp, and other situations where you are not in position to be in control of the dog.

[R_Lefebvre]

Coyotes do roam in the bush behind our house, though I haven't heard of them taking any dogs locally. I know outdoor cats are going missing. They haven't taken our little dog, but he's not out that much. Could they even take a full size Malamute or GSD? I'd think they'd look for easier prey.

[BigAl]

the "it's all in how you raise them argument" comes from people that don't understand dogs. You need to pick a breed with the energy and temperment that complements your family. the best family pets have no human agression and low or no dog agression. Not saying you shouldn't pick a husky but you should know that it will not be as easy as some other choices

[R_Lefebvre]

Found a Husky mix at a nearby shelter. Not sure what it's mixed with, but I wonder if that might make a good dog, take a little bit of the husky out...

http://www.lanarkanimals.ca/dogimages/Tundra.jpg

Does that fur look shorter than normal for a Husky? My uncle's dog had much longer fur, but maybe it's just because this one is young.

When people talk about Huskies wandering... can you let them off leash to play, or is it... soon as that leash is off, boom they're gone?

The more research I do, the more I think a Husky or Malamute would be a good dog for us. I think we have a big enough home, and are active enough. And it would help camping with kids. They could pull a small cart or sled. That's a challenge we're facing right now is... hiking with little kids who need to be carried. (gear on the cart, not the kids! :) )

[SunTzuNephew]

Ahhh, puppy fur.....what a cutie. The guard hairs will grow in. What color are the eyes?

I used to let mine off leash but not any more. She'd rather chase squirrels than come back.

[762X39]

That is a beautiful looking puppy.My Siberian is 14 years old this year and isn't interested in running anymore:wings: but I would get another (lots at the shelter I noticed). The local kids all love him so I guess he is okay with kids. I didn't have him fixed until he was about 7 and noticed that he really settled down after that (I would too I suppose :)).

[R_Lefebvre]

Talked with a coworker who owns a Husky. He said the shedding is "soul crushing". He also said that his husky isn't a great pet. The dog really doesn't care about him at all. He's basically just "the food guy".

My uncle's was very affectionate. Just dog-to-dog variation?

[greenmeanie]

We've had our 85lb. malamute for 5 years now. She came from the Humane Society when she was alledgedly 2 yrs old with no history. The first year or so I ran her 5 miles with the bike every morning. After that she just mellowed out and now I give her about 1 1/2 hours of mooching around the neighbourhood each day. She's now more interested in sniffing than running although she is a great hiking companion. During the day she has the run of the house and back yard but its like having a husky rug around as she does like to sleep in a quiet corner.

Mals don't howl like sibes but will talk to you like Chewbacca. Niki is almost completely silent whih is appreciated by the neighbours. It toook 3 months for us to hear us make a bark or any other noise but now she will remiind me its dinner time or walkies if I am late.

I have a couple of select areas I let her off but they are somewhat contained and away from the general population. Even when my son got old enough to learn to open the front door and let her out she merely goes and lies out on the front grass and watches the world go by.

She has yet to meet a human she doesn't like although as she has got older she is more selective about which dogs she does and does not like. Of course, it doesn't hurt that she likes to crotch peck as a greating and most evangelists/door to door salesman and othe runwanted visitors mistake her for a wolf. I should train that habit out but it is far too funnny and useful.

She is great with the kids. She tolerates them and only interacts on her own terms. If I am not there to control him she will keep her distance. If she doesn't like what my son is doing she will merely give me a look to control him and then head outside. I like this as I don't want her being protective or having a guarding instinct.

I found the Humane Society to be a great place to get a dog. Its a rescue which is a big plus as they behavious test the dogs and look for things like food agression which is not good around children.

Obedience has been less about formal training and more about coming to a mutual agreement about what is acceptable. Mals are VERY strong willed and tend not to do things unless they see a benefit. It requires a slightly different mindset as they are not necessarily out to please a master. If you establish rules you must enforce them rigorously. You can tell them no a thousand times but just one moment of weakness establishes precedent in her mind. They do continually test who is in charge in the relationship so you have to reinforce your leadership position continually but there are plenty of web sites that give advice on how to do this as part of your daily routine without being too dramatic.

As we are in the desert she has a short coat compared to most mals so hair is less of a problem. We have a 6 week period in may where she blows her winter coat and the shedding is horrendous. Other than that the hair issue is, if anything, better than my friend's lab.

Her big weakness is that she is a huge food thief. Watching her ears circle the edge of the kitchen counter is like being on a desert island watching the sharks fins circling you. She is relentless and will take advantage off the slightest mistake. We lock the bin in a cupboard and no food is ever left out unnattended EVER.

If you like Huskies but want something a bit more mellow then malamutes are great dogs especially for outdoor activities. As others have said, take your time and choose a good one.

In my case I prefer hanging out with my Niki to most people.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=39002&stc=1&d=1269021793
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=39004&stc=1&d=1269024114http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=39005&stc=1&d=1269024320

[SunTzuNephew]

Thats a good looking sibe. Were those pictures near the water taken in Marina Del Rey, by any chance? Those buildings look familiar.

[greenmeanie]

I think so. Its right down on the bay in SD and the hotel in the background allows you to bring your dog if you stay in the flats at the edge of the marina instead of the main towers. Great fun taking the pup to the beach and round town.

When we adopted her the HS identified her as a sibe. Experience and some knowledgeable people have shown that she's just a smaller Malamute. I think I am happier with that.

[skysix]

Her big weakness is that she is a huge food thief. Watching her ears circle the edge of the kitchen counter is like being on a desert island watching the sharks fins circling you. She is relentless and will take advantage off the slightest mistake. We lock the bin in a cupboard and no food is ever left out unnattended EVER.

Love it! Counter surfing is Louie's favorite pastime. She knows how to open the oven and after burning her tongue trying to steal some (still hot) chocolate chip cookies now knows when not to... but we can't keep last nights pizza in there anymore. Had to put child 'locks' on all the cupboards and drawers below 4'

[andyrad]

We're onto our second Husky and the main reason I got one years ago is so he can be outside when I am not home and not freeze. Success!!. They seem to like it when it's -30 celcius. That aside the breed can be wild but if you take the lead like a good Alpha dog they will do as you say. They need the leadership from you. As far as kids goes ours loves kids. He gets a bit excited when they come around but we hold onto him a bit so he doesn't bowl over the little ones and he'll settle down in a couple minutes. A month or so ago out 12 year old niece arrived and he went absolutely ballistic, in a good way. I have never seen a dog remember someone and react so crazy in love.

We do not let him off the leash aside from an off leash area at the park.

We also thought they would be cat killers, but they will only do that if that is what you encourage them to do. Ours seems to be best buddies with Lewis and visa versa. I would attach a couple photos but the system is kicking me out.

All in all a great family dog but you need to spend time with them. Yes they shed twice a year.