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do huskys make good pets with other animals
12/7/2011 10:23:44 PM
wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
12/8/2011 1:12:52 PM
Originally Posted By AL50bmgshooter:
wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
I had Huskys in the 1980's. Bred two litters and dabbled in the show ring a bit.wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
They are beautiful dogs but I had lot's of problems with them.
They are like little wolves. If it's small and furry or feathered, and they can get to it, it's dead right there.
Cat killing machines. At least ALL of mine were. Cats were killed on sight. Brutally. Chickens, rats, mice, ferrets, squirrels, chipmunks. Dead, right there.
They were bred to pull sleds long distances. They will escape under or thru a fence and run and run and run. I spent half my life shoring up my fence and searching the neighborhood for them.
They are terrible watch dogs. They love people. The will lick and rub against a burgalar as he cleans out your house.
They shed like a mofo. They have guard hairs and a dense undercoat. Did I mention they shed like a Mofo?
With all that said, they are loving, affectionate family members and they can be flat out georgeous. I loved my Huskys and grieved heavily when I lost them.
Considering all the things mentioned above, I went back to the Doberman and the above problems are no more.
Why not consider 2 GSD's? Two of the same breed are called a "Brace" and can look quite stunning together.
ETA: The things I listed above were from my own personal experience with Siberian Huskys. It's reasonable to assume that if you raised one with cats from a puppy that maybe the dog would not be so hard on cats. I don't know for sure. I didn't have a cat around when I had Siberians. YMMV.
12/8/2011 11:01:52 PM
Apparently they do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXsFMOxYp10&feature=related
12/8/2011 11:03:45 PM
Everything above is true of most huskies. Very dominant breed and very strong willed and independent. Malamutes are a little more chilled out.
I have both.
-Foxxz
I have both.
-Foxxz
12/8/2011 11:22:46 PM
Mal/Shepard here, GREAT dog. Yes she sheds but other then that, she has been a fantastic pooch. She runs 100-105 due to the Shepard in her. My Catahoula cur is 100 times more "kill everything that moves" as compared to the Mal/Shep.
12/9/2011 7:59:12 PM
from a pup they can be good with cats
from a pup they can be good with kids, but they can get it in their head that that child is "theirs" and get protective my parents male growled at his own puppies when they got too close to my son (son was a toddler at the time)
my parents have two, no issues with going after the cats or the bird that they had, then again they haid their male since a pup (gave the bird away too many animals and birdy was VERY high maintence)
her two do go after rabbits and possums and the type
they shed
they do not really "bark" in the true sense of the word they....it's more like a howl and they will try to "talk" to you
from a pup they can be good with kids, but they can get it in their head that that child is "theirs" and get protective my parents male growled at his own puppies when they got too close to my son (son was a toddler at the time)
my parents have two, no issues with going after the cats or the bird that they had, then again they haid their male since a pup (gave the bird away too many animals and birdy was VERY high maintence)
her two do go after rabbits and possums and the type
they shed
they do not really "bark" in the true sense of the word they....it's more like a howl and they will try to "talk" to you
12/10/2011 6:33:03 PM
double tap
12/10/2011 6:37:07 PM
Sled dogs have been used by man as early as 1000 AD and possibly much earlier. They have been 'pet-i-fied' for about 100 years.
The way most sled dogs where used is that the people would keep them on short leads staked outside during the winter and feed and care for the dogs. However come summer the dogs were let loose and were expected to survive on their own. (Kind of like free range cattle if you think about it)
This means that these dogs have a BIG prey drive. In addition to whatever wolf instinct remains, these dogs have been seeing small furry critters as DINNER for a long time. This is why sled dogs are often very bad to combine with pet cats, rabbits, guinnea pigs, and the like.
Now, this is going to vary by individual dog and how it was brought up. However the sled dog breeds are the ones that are MOST likely to have problems...even with animals they have been around a lot, you never know when the small animal is going to display some behavior that turns on a switch of PREY! BITE AND KILL in the dog's brain. It is as much wired into them as loving water is wired into a lab and pointing at birds is wired into a pointer.
Similarly due to them being bred for great stamina for 1000 years at least, sled dogs need a LOT more walking to burn off enough energy to be happy and healthy companions.
The way most sled dogs where used is that the people would keep them on short leads staked outside during the winter and feed and care for the dogs. However come summer the dogs were let loose and were expected to survive on their own. (Kind of like free range cattle if you think about it)
This means that these dogs have a BIG prey drive. In addition to whatever wolf instinct remains, these dogs have been seeing small furry critters as DINNER for a long time. This is why sled dogs are often very bad to combine with pet cats, rabbits, guinnea pigs, and the like.
Now, this is going to vary by individual dog and how it was brought up. However the sled dog breeds are the ones that are MOST likely to have problems...even with animals they have been around a lot, you never know when the small animal is going to display some behavior that turns on a switch of PREY! BITE AND KILL in the dog's brain. It is as much wired into them as loving water is wired into a lab and pointing at birds is wired into a pointer.
Similarly due to them being bred for great stamina for 1000 years at least, sled dogs need a LOT more walking to burn off enough energy to be happy and healthy companions.
12/10/2011 7:36:40 PM
Almost forgot they can do stuff that is almost Houdini
12/12/2011 8:42:52 PM
Originally Posted By AL50bmgshooter:
wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
I would recommend against getting two dogs at the same time.
12/12/2011 8:48:25 PM
Originally Posted By abnk:
I would recommend against getting two dogs at the same time.
Originally Posted By AL50bmgshooter:
wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
I would recommend against getting two dogs at the same time.
I would almost always recommend two dogs instead of one. Two are half the trouble of one, they tend to do much better if they have the company of another dog. Most dogs that have "issues" tend to be alone and act out their fear, loneliness, or boredom.
12/13/2011 12:24:48 AM
Every single thing Doberdude said is true. They are great dogs, but have a lot of drawbacks. If you want two puppies at once get the GSD's you will be much happier. I had a Husky several years ago and loved that dog, but you will love him a lot less when he gets off leash and you chase him for 3 miles on foot. LOL. GSD's are much more trainable and have less PITA attributes than the Husky. As said the Huskies are extremely dominant and are hunters by instinct. Any smaller animal including your cats could become sport to a husky. And yes the shedding is ridiculous. I had tile floors and there were husky tumbleweeds all over the house even if you swept them up twice a day.
12/13/2011 9:43:47 PM
Originally Posted By fxntime:
I would almost always recommend two dogs instead of one. Two are half the trouble of one, they tend to do much better if they have the company of another dog. Most dogs that have "issues" tend to be alone and act out their fear, loneliness, or boredom.
Originally Posted By abnk:
I would recommend against getting two dogs at the same time.
Originally Posted By AL50bmgshooter:
wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
I would recommend against getting two dogs at the same time.
I would almost always recommend two dogs instead of one. Two are half the trouble of one, they tend to do much better if they have the company of another dog. Most dogs that have "issues" tend to be alone and act out their fear, loneliness, or boredom.
Most of my experience is with working dogs. Perhaps it is different with pets, but I can't see how two dogs are easier than one. Double the potty training, the exercise, and the obedience. Not to mention that two pups raised together will likely bond with each other more than they will with the handler. Then again, this may not be an issue for those who only want pets.
The OP has a dozen cats so he might have a good handle on the situation, but I would hate to see start a new thread in a few months asking for behavioral advice and complaining about his dogs using the entire house as a poop yard.
12/13/2011 10:03:09 PM
Originally Posted By DoberDude:
They are beautiful dogs but I had lot's of problems with them.
They are like little wolves. If it's small and furry or feathered, and they can get to it, it's dead right there.
Cat killing machines. At least ALL of mine were. Cats were killed on sight. Brutally. Chickens, rats, mice, ferrets, squirrels, chipmunks. Dead, right there.
They were bred to pull sleds long distances. They will escape under or thru a fence and run and run and run. I spent half my life shoring up my fence and searching the neighborhood for them.
They are terrible watch dogs. They love people. The will lick and rub against a burgalar as he cleans out your house.
They shed like a mofo. They have guard hairs and a dense undercoat. Did I mention they shed like a Mofo?
With all that said, they are loving, affectionate family members and they can be flat out georgeous. I loved my Huskys and grieved heavily when I lost them.
Considering all the things mentioned above, I went back to the Doberman and the above problems are no more.
Why not consider 2 GSD's? Two of the same breed are called a "Brace" and can look quite stunning together.
ETA: The things I listed above were from my own personal experience with Siberian Huskys. It's reasonable to assume that if you raised one with cats from a puppy that maybe the dog would not be so hard on cats. I don't know for sure. I didn't have a cat around when I had Siberians. YMMV.
Originally Posted By AL50bmgshooter:
wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
I had Huskys in the 1980's. Bred two litters and dabbled in the show ring a bit.wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
They are beautiful dogs but I had lot's of problems with them.
They are like little wolves. If it's small and furry or feathered, and they can get to it, it's dead right there.
Cat killing machines. At least ALL of mine were. Cats were killed on sight. Brutally. Chickens, rats, mice, ferrets, squirrels, chipmunks. Dead, right there.
They were bred to pull sleds long distances. They will escape under or thru a fence and run and run and run. I spent half my life shoring up my fence and searching the neighborhood for them.
They are terrible watch dogs. They love people. The will lick and rub against a burgalar as he cleans out your house.
They shed like a mofo. They have guard hairs and a dense undercoat. Did I mention they shed like a Mofo?
With all that said, they are loving, affectionate family members and they can be flat out georgeous. I loved my Huskys and grieved heavily when I lost them.
Considering all the things mentioned above, I went back to the Doberman and the above problems are no more.
Why not consider 2 GSD's? Two of the same breed are called a "Brace" and can look quite stunning together.
ETA: The things I listed above were from my own personal experience with Siberian Huskys. It's reasonable to assume that if you raised one with cats from a puppy that maybe the dog would not be so hard on cats. I don't know for sure. I didn't have a cat around when I had Siberians. YMMV.
My old husky quietly waited for the lovely burglar to get completely over the fence before biting the shit out of him
12/15/2011 6:40:25 PM
Originally Posted By fxntime:
I would almost always recommend two dogs instead of one. Two are half the trouble of one, they tend to do much better if they have the company of another dog. Most dogs that have "issues" tend to be alone and act out their fear, loneliness, or boredom.
Originally Posted By abnk:
I would recommend against getting two dogs at the same time.
Originally Posted By AL50bmgshooter:
wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
wife is wanting a husky to go with the gsd we're getting. We 're hearing that they dont like cats and like to dig. It'll be a puppy with a gs puppy playmate and 12 cats and our 3yo daughter. Any insight appreciated
I would recommend against getting two dogs at the same time.
I would almost always recommend two dogs instead of one. Two are half the trouble of one, they tend to do much better if they have the company of another dog. Most dogs that have "issues" tend to be alone and act out their fear, loneliness, or boredom.
2 dogs are better than one (except breeds/lines with a history of dog directed aggression)
however you are better off getting one dog and getting used to it and it used to you and all that jazz and THEN adding a second rather than introducing 2 dogs to eachother AND their new life all at the same time.
The exception to this are if the dogs are litter mates or part of the same pack already (like some guy is getting hauled off to the nursing home and he had 2 dogs, and you adopt them both)
